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THE   DEPARTMENT  OF   CONSERVATION 

STATE  OF  INDIANA 


W.  A.   GUTHRIE,  Chairman 

STANLEY  COULTER 

JOHN  W.   HOLTZMAN 

RICHARD  M.   HOLMAN,  Secretary 


Publication  No.  7 

Volume  I 


RICHARD  LIEBER 

DIRECTOR   OF  CONSERVATION 


I  N  Dl  AN  APOL  I  S: 

WM.    B.    BuRFORD,    Printer 

1  920 


LAKE  MAXINKUCKEE 

A    PHYSICAL    AND 
BIOLOGICAL  SURVEY 


BY 

BARTON  WARREN  EVERMANN,  A.  M.,  Ph.  D. 

Director  of  the  Museum  of  the  California  Academy  of  Sciences 

AND 

HOWARD  WALTON  CLARK,  A.  B.,  A.  M. 

Scientific  Assistant  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Fisheries 
Biological  Station,  Fairport,  Iowa 


VOLUME   I 


PUBLISHED  BY 

THE  DEPARTMENT  OF  CONSERVATION 

STATE  OF  INDIANA 

1920 


Foreword 


The  Department  of  Conservation  presents  this  monograph  to 
the  pubHc  in  the  belief  that  it  is  a  notable  addition  to  the  scien- 
tific works  of  the  present  day.  It  is  especially  valuable  because 
Maxinkuckee  is  typical  of  thousands  of  lakes  in  the  glaciated  re- 
gions of  North  America.  It  will  be  invaluable  to  future  students 
because  here  are  authentically  reported  numerous  species  and  con- 
ditions which  are  rapidly  disappearing  because  of  the  increased 
use  of  all  available  lakes  for  summer  resorts  and  their  destruction 
by  drainage. 

The  actual  work  of  investigation  was  financed  by  the  U.  S.  Bu- 
reau of  Fisheries.  Although  they  spent  thirteen  years  of  work 
and  much  money,  when  the  report  was  finally  complete  an  insufl^i- 
cient  printing  fund  prevented  publishing. 

When  The  Department  of  Conservation  was  inaugurated,  April 
1,  1919,  the  question  of  printing  the  Maxinkuckee  report  was  placed 
before  the  Conservation  Commission.  The  great  scientific  value  of 
the  work,  the  unquestioned  authenticity,  and  the  fact  that  the  lake 
is  in  Indiana  led  the  Commission  to  approve  of  its  publication. 

The  illustrations  used  in  this  monograph  have  come  from  vari- 
ous sources.  The  halftones  showing  Lake  Maxinkuckee  scenery 
(except  that  of  Shady  Point,  which  is  from  a  photograph  by  Mr. 
Clark) ,  were  supplied  by  the  Culver  Military  Academy.  Most  of 
the  text-figures  of  fishes  are  chiefly  from  Jordan  and  Evermann's 
"Fishes  of  North  and  Middle  America" ;  the  others,  as  well  as  the 
three  figures  of  frogs,  were  furnished  by  the  United  States  Bureau 
of  Fisheries.  The  Bureau  of  Fisheries  very  kindly  supplied  elec- 
tros for  all  these  text-figures.  The  halftone  plates  of  the  large- 
mouth  black  bass,  small-mouth  black  bass,  rock  bass,  bluegill,  red- 
eared  sunfish  and  yellow  perch,  are  from  photographs  of  live  fishes 
in  the  water,  taken  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  by  A.  Radcliffe  Dugmore 
for  use  in  Jordan  and  Evermann's  "American  Food  and  Game 
Fishes,"  published  by  Doubleday,  Page  &  Company.  For  the  col- 
ored plates  of  thirty-three  species  of  fishes  we  are  indebted  to  Dr. 
Stephen  A.  Forbes,  Director  of  the  Illinois  State  Natural  History 
Survey. 

The  Conservation  Commission  wishes  to  express  to  these  vari- 
ous gentlemen  and  institutions  its  appreciation  of  the  courtesies 

^^'^1','t'^  19890 

19858S 


Lake  Ma.rinknckce,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

which  they  have  so  generously  extended.  Their  kindly  co-opera- 
tion has  added  materially  to  the  attractiveness  and  value  of  this 
report. 

To  Dr.  Evermann,  Mr.  Clark  and  their  collaborators  is  due 
praise  and  honor  for  the  work.  It  is  truly  a  scientific  classic  and 
without  peer  in  its  field. 

RICHARD  LIEBER. 
Director,  The  Department  of  Conservation. 
April  7,  1920. 


Contents 


INTRODUCTION 13 

Scope  of  the  Investigations 15 

Acknowledgments 18 

Special  localities  often  referred  to  in  various  chapters  of  th  -  report.  19 

PHYSICAL  FEATURES 22 

Location 22 

Elevation  above  sea-level 22 

Size,  form,  etc 23 

Character  of  surrounding  country 23 

Soil 24 

Tributary  streams 27 

Culver  Creek 27 

Aubeenaubee  Creek 27 

Norris  Inlet 28 

Overmyer's  Brook 28 

Flowing  wells 28-35 

Shore  and  beach 35 

The  ice-beach 39 

HYDROGRAPHY 40 

Depth 40 

Topography  of  lake  bottom 42 

The  Deep  Hole 42 

The  Sugarloaf 42 

The  Weedpatch 42 

The  Kettlehole 43 

The  lake  bottom 45 

Soils 45 

Sand 45 

Gravel 45 

Boulders 46 

Marl 46 

The  lake  level 49 

Stage  of  water 49 

Volume  of  outflow 53 

The  Outlet 54 

Lost  Lake 55 

Outlet  Creek " 56 

METEOROLOGY 57 

Introduction 57 

Sky 58 

Air 60 

Pressure 60 

Temperatures 62-135 

(7) 


8  Lake  Max'uikuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


METEOROLOGY— Continued 


Page 


Winds 1^^ 

liitrodiiftioii      ^''" 

CharacttM-  1^^ 

Rain.  ^"^j 

Frost  1^^ 

Snow         145 

Introiluction 1*^ 

Depth  147 

Direct  ion 148 

Form 148 

Relation  to  lake 149 

Fo..  150 

Dkw     ■152 

Watkk  Tempek.vtures 152 

At  surface  of  laki-         152-194 

At  various  depths 195-214 

The  turninfi  over  of  the  hike 214 

Condition  ok  tiik  water 216 

Clearness  216 

Chemical  coiulit  ion 218 

Deficient  in  Oxygen  for  only  a  brief  period  each  year 221 

Ice 223 

Introduction 223 

{ )n  Lake  Maxinkuckee 226 

On  Lost  Lake 232 

Thickness 233 

Bl(  )L(  )(;Y 236 

Inthoduction ■ 236 

The  Fishes 238 

Introduction 238 

Methods  of  collecting 239 

Conditions  favorable  to  fish-life 260 

Fish  and  fish  protection 263 

Angling 264 

The  long  cane  pole 266 

Trolling 267 

Bait-casting 267 

Baits  and  lures 268 

Lake  Maxinkuckee  as  an  angling  resort 271 

Ice-fishing 275 

Fishes  planted  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee 278 

Mortality  among  fishes 281 

Commercial  fishing 282 

Observance  of  fishing  laws 282 

MuiRATIONS  and  SEASONAL  MOVEMENTS  OF  THE  FISHES 284 

From  one  depth  to  another 284 

From  Lake  Maxinkuckee  to  Lost  Lake 287 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  9 

BIOLOGY— Continued  Page 

Food  and  Parasites  of  the  fishes 291 

Introduction 291 

Species  studied 293 

Insect  larvae 302 

Leeches 304 

Annotated  list  of  species 306 

The  Mammals 452 

Introduction 452 

List  of  species 453 

The  Birds 481 

Introduction 481 

List  of  species 486 

The  Reptiles 580 

The  snakes 580 

List  of  species 581 

The  turtles 591 

List  of  species 592 

The  Amphibians 620 

List  of  species 620 


List  of  Illustrations 


HALFTONE  PLATES 

Page 

1     Large-mouth  Black  Bass Frontispiece 

23     Calico  Bass 383 

23     Rock  Bass 383 

24a  Warmouth  Bass 392 

25     Bluegill 398 

25    Red-eared  Sunfish 398 

27  and  28    Small-mouth  Black  Bass 410,  412 

32    Yellow  Perch 426 


COLORED   PLATES 

Facing  page 

2  Dogfish 318 

3  Yellow  Bullhead 324 

4  Speckled  Bullhead 324 

5  Tadpole  Cat 332 

5  Grass  Pike 332 

6  Common  Sucker 334 

7  Hog-sucker 336 

8  Chub  Sucker 338 

9  Stone  Roller 340 

10,  11  and  12     Carp .   342 

13  Golden  Shiner 348 

14  Cayuga  Minnow 350 

14     Straw-colored  ^Minnow 350 

16     Common  Shiner 358 

16  Blackfin 358 

17  Mud  Minnow 366 

17  Grayback  Minnow 366 

18  Brook  Stickleback 376 

18  Skipjack 376 

19  Fundulus  dispar 372 

20  White  Crappie 380 

21  Black  Crappie 382 

22  Rock  Bass 388 

24    Green  Simfish 394 

26    Bluegill •*02 

(11) 


12  Lake  Maxiukv.ckef,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Facing  page 

•29  Largi'-nu.uth  Black  Bass 416 

30  Wall-eyed  Pike.                      422 

31  Yellow  Perch .                  424 

33  Log  Perch 430 

33  Black-sided  Darter  430 

34  CJreen-sided  Darter 436 

34  Johnny  Darter 436 

34  Iowa  i)arter 436 

35  Short-nosed  Gar .                 ^16 

35  Brook  Lamprey.                    ^^^ 

3(5  K<'d-nioiith  Buffalo ^30 


TEXT  FIGURES 

Page 

Paddlefish 309 

Short-nosed  Gar 316 

Black  Bullhead 330 

Common  Buffalo-Fish 333 

Blunt-nosed  ^Minnow 344 

Common  Chub 346 

\'ariable-toothed  Minnow 350 

Sijot-tailed  Minnow 354 

Silver-fin  ^Minnow 356 

( 'averii-jawed  Minnow 360 

Black-nosed  Dace 361 

River  Chub 363 

Common  Eel 365 

Common  Pike 370 

Long-eared  Sunfish 395 

Pumpkinseed  Simfish 406  ' 

Maxinkuckec  Darter •  426 

.Vubeenaubee  Darter 445 

Rainbow  Darter 448 

Least  Darter 450 

Spring  Frog '. 632 

Green  Frog 642 

Bullfrog 644 

Map  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee In  back  of  book 


LAKE  MAXINKUCKEE 
A  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


By  Barton  Warren  Evermann,  A.  M.,  Ph.  D., 
Director  of  the  Museum  of  the  California  Academy  of  Sciences, 

and 
Howard  Walton  Clark,  B.  S.,  A.  M., 
Scientific  Assistant,  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Fisheries  Biological  Station, 

Fairport,  Iowa. 


Introduction 

Though  the  United  States  Fish  Commission  (now  the  Bureau 
of  Fisheries)  was  organized  in  1871,  it  was  not  until  1888  that 
any  definite  attempt  was  made  to  study  either  the  biological  or 
physical  characters  of  any  of  the  streams  and  lakes  of  the  United 
States.  In  that  year  and  the  two  or  three  years  following,  a 
beginning  was  made  toward  working  out  the  distribution  of  the 
species  of  fishes  in  the  streams  of  certain  regions,  and  some  little 
attention  was  given  to  the  larger  crustaceans  and  to  water  tem- 
peratures. Beginning  with  1891,  one  or  more  field  parties  from 
the  Division  of  Scientific  Inquiry  of  the  Commission  have  been 
in  the  field,  usually  for  a  brief  period  each  summer.  These  par- 
ties usually  gathered  data  for  each  stream  examined,  upon  the 
following  points :  character  of  country  through  which  the  stream 
flows ;  the  volume  of  water  which  it  carries ;  general  character  of 
the  water  as  to  clearness  and  purity,  and  its  temperature;  the 
fishes,  crustaceans,  mollusks,  reptiles,  batrachians  and  other  ani- 
mals inhabiting  the  stream  or  found  about  it,  and  the  abundance, 
distribution  and  habits  of  each ;  also,  the  species  of  aquatic 
plants,  their  distribution,  abundance,  and  relation  to  the  fishes  of 
the  same  waters.  The  primary  and  immediate  objects  of  these 
investigations  were  to  determine  what  fishes  each  stream  already 
contains  and  whether  the  conditions,  physical  and  biological,  are 
favorable  for  the  introduction  of  other  species.  Since  1890  inves- 
tigations of  this  kind  have  been  carried  on  in  a  number  of  States, 
among  which  may  be  mentioned  California,  Oregon,  Washington, 
Idaho,  Montana,  Wyoming,  North  Dakota,  South  Dakota,  Missouri, 
Arkansas,  Iowa,  Minnesota,  Texas,  Florida,  Tennessee,  New  York, 


(13) 


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'f-  ^-  State  Collegg 


14  Lake  Maxiy^knckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Maine,  New  Hampshire,  Vermont,  and  perhaps  others.  As  many 
of  these  investigations  were  made  in  response  to  resolutions  of 
Congress  calHng  upon  the  Commission  to  determine  the  desirabil- 
ity of  establishing  fish-cultural  stations  in  certain  States,  it  can 
be  seen  that  a  wide  area  had  to  be  covered  and  that  the  investi- 
gations were  necessarily  hurried  and  incomplete  except  for  the 
specific  purpose  in  view.  Occasionally,  however,  it  was  possible 
to  confine  the  season's  investigations  for  a  longer  period  to  a  lim- 
ited area,  and  more  thorough  work  resulted ;  as,  for  example,  upon 
the  Redfish  Lakes  in  Idaho  in  1895  and  1896,  the  Connecticut 
Lakes  in  1904,  and  the  Rangeley  Lakes  and  Sebago  Lake  in  Maine 
in  1905-1913. 

The  need  of  exact  knowledge  of  the  physical  and  biological 
conditions  obtaining  in  the  various  types  of  lakes  and  streams 
became  increasingly  evident.  In  the  direct  interest  of  fish  cul- 
ture, there  was  great  need  of  more  complete  knowledge  of  the 
habits  not  only  of  our  most  common  food  fishes,  but  also  of  the 
animals  and  plants  associated  with  them,  and  of  the  physical  and 
biological  conditions  under  which  they  thrive. 

Not  until  1899,  however,  was  any  such  work  undertaken  under 
really  favorable  conditions.  It  was  in  that  year  decided  to  select 
a  small  lake  and  make  such  a  study  of  it  as  might  serve  as  a 
model  for  the  investigation  of  all  similar  lakes. 

There  are,  in  the  upper  Mississippi  Valley,  particularly  in  Ohio, 
Indiana,  Illinois,  Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Minnesota  and  Iowa,  many 
thousand  lakes  of  glacial  origin.  With  scarcely  an  exception,  these 
lakes  teem  with  food  and  game  fishes  of  the  finest  quality,  besides 
many  other  species  of  greater  or  less  importance.  Many  of  these 
lakes  are  inhabited  also  by  a  large  number  of  species  of  turtles, 
batrachians,  mollusks  and  crustaceans,  some  of  which  are  already 
used  for  food  or  otherwise  utilized  by  man.  They  are  the  home 
also  of  many  other  species  of  aquatic  animals  and  many  species 
of  aquatic  plants  which  are  known  to  serve  an  important  purpose 
in  the  economy  of  the  lakes  in  their  relation  to  food  fishes,  and  of 
still  many  other  species  whose  status  we  do  not  yet  know. 

The  value  of  exact  knowledge  concerning  this  type  of  lake  and 
the  inhabitants  thereof  is  appreciated  by  all  biologists  and  fish- 
culturists  and  can  scarcely  be  overestimated. 

In  making  selection  of  a  particular  lake  for  study  along  these 
lines  it  was  important  that  the  lake  chosen  should  meet  certain 
essential  conditions.  It  must  not  be  too  large;  it  must  be  suffi- 
ciently compact  to  enable  any  or  all  parts  to  be  reached  readily 
from  a  central  station  ;  there  should  be  no  inlets  or  connecting 


Lake  Maxinkuckec,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  15 

waters  of  a  size  great  enoug-h  to  complicate  the  problems ;  in  other 
words,  the  conditions  should  be  bunched  and  the  environmental 
unit  should  be  a  fairly  homogeneous  one ;  furthermore,  the  lake 
should  be  one  where  there  are  fishing  and  angling  interests  and 
which  would  afford  a  field  for  fish-cultural  studies  and  operations. 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  in  northern  Indiana,  was  believed  to  meet 
all  these  conditions.  It  was  assumed  to  be  typical  of  the  class  of 
small  glacial  lakes.  It  was  selected  for  study  primarily  because 
of  these  facts.  Its  accessibility  and  the  fact  that  the  field  expenses 
there  would  be  exceptionally  small  were  also  factors  in  determin- 
mg  the  selection. 

Scope  of  investigations: — In  planning  the  investigations  to  be 
made,  it  was  desirable  to  make  them  as  comprehensive  as  pos- 
sible, that  the  report,  when  published,  would  be  really  a  mono- 
graph of  the  lake.  Among  the  more  important  purposes  to  be 
considered  were  the  following: 

1.  To  gain  a  fairly  good  understanding  of  the  physical  and 
biological  conditions  obtaining  in  a  typical  glacial  lake.  Accurate 
knowledge  of  one  lake  of  a  type  enables  a  study  of  other  lakes  of 
that  type  to  be  made  more  readily  and  easily. 

2.  To  study  carefully  and  fully  the  habits  of  as  many  species 
of  animals  and  plants  of  the  lake  as  time  permitted.  This  field 
is  practically  inexhaustible  and  the  opportunities  infinite.  The 
writers  know  of  no  place  where  one  can  study  more  problems  of 
interest  to  fish-culture  and  general  biology  than  at  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee. This  is  because  of  the  unusual  abundance  of  aquatic 
animals  and  plants  in  that  lake.  There  are  now  known  from 
Lake  Maxinkuckee  64  species  of  fishes,  9  species  of  turtles,  18 
species  of  batrachians,  about  a  dozen  species  of  crustaceans,  more 
than  130  species  of  mollosks,  and  more  than  100  species  of  aquatic 
plants.  Each  of  these  groups  is  represented  by  a  greater  number 
of  species  than  is  known  from  any  other  lake  of  similar  or  even 
considerably  greater  size  in  the  world;  and  most  of  the  species 
are  each  very  abundant  as  to  individuals. 

3.  To  study  carefully  the  physical  and  biological  conditions 
under  which  the  more  important  of  these  species  thrive. 

In  short,  Lake  Maxinkuckee  was  utilized  as  a  biological  station 
where  scores  of  interesting  problems  were  studied  and  where  many 
more  problems  can  be  studied  more  eff'ectively  than  at  any  other 
lake  with  which  the  writers  are  acquainted. 

In  the  spring  of  1899  the  senior  author  submitted  to  the  Hon- 
orable George  M.  Bowers,  then  United  States  Commissioner  of 
Fish  and  Fisheries,  a  memorandum  setting  forth  reasons  why  an 

2—17618 


16  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

investigation  of  this  kind  should  be  made  in  the  interest  of  fish 
culture  and  the  biology  of  freshwater  fishes.  Mr.  Bowers  approved 
the  recommendation  and  ordered  the  investigation  to  be  entered 
upon  in  the  summer  following. 

The  actual  study  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee  by  the  U.  S.  Fish  Com- 
mission was  begun  in  1899.  On  July  5  of  that  year  a  station 
was  established  at  the  Duenweg  cottage  (known  now  as  Shady 
Point)  on  the  west  side  of  the  lake  at  the  base  of  Long  Point  and 
in  front  of  the  Arlington  flag  station  of  the  Vandalia  Railroad. 
The  party  consisted  of  the  following:  Dr.  Barton  Warren  Ever- 
mann  of  the  U.  S.  Fish  Commission,  in  charge ;  Dr.  Josiah  T. 
Scovell,  teacher  of  biology,  Terre  Haute,  Ind.,  high  school,  botany; 
Thomas  Large,  teacher  of  science,  Evansville,  Ind.,  high  school, 
hydrography;  Chancey  Juday,  teacher  of  biology,  Evansville,  Ind., 
high  school,  plankton ;  and  T.  Bronte  Evermann,  student  Cornell 
University,  general  assistant.  During  a  portion  of  the  season,  H. 
Walton  Clark  of  Fort  Wayne,  Ind.,  and  Harry  Warren  of  Evans- 
ville, Ind.,  were  present  as  volunteer  assistants. 

The  field  work  of  1899  was  carried  on  from  July  5  to  Sep- 
tember 5,  though  certain  lines  were  continued  until  October  18, 
and  during  the  time  from  then  until  July,  1900,  temperature  and 
various  other  meteorological  observations,  as  well  as  notes  on  the 
appearance  and  behavior  of  the  water  birds,  fishes,  etc.,  were 
recorded  by  S.  S.  Chadwick,  then  resident  on  Long  Point. 

On  July  1,  1900,  the  work  was  resumed  by  a  regular  field  party 
consisting  of  the  following:  Dr.  Evermann,  in  charge;  Dr.  Scovell, 
botany  and  general  assistant;  Leonard  Young,  teacher  of  biology, 
Evansville,  Ind.,  high  school,  plankton ;  Wm.  F.  Hill,  U.  S.  Fish 
Commission,  surveyor ;  T.  Bronte  Evermann,  assistant  to  surveyor 
and  draughtsman ;  Millard  Knowlton  of  Sims,  Ind.,  general  assist- 
ant ;  Robert  G.  Gillum,  professor  of  physics  and  chemistry,  Indiana 
State  Normal  School,  physics  and  chemistry;  H.  Walton  Clark, 
botany.  Regular  investigations  along  a  number  of  lines  were  car- 
ried on  until  about  the  middle  of  September.  Dr.  Evermann  re- 
mained at  the  lake  until  December  12,  and  Mr.  Clark  continued  the 
investigations  continuously  through  the  entire  winter  of  1900-1901 
and  to  July  11,  1901. 

In  1902.  Dr.  Evermann  was  again  at  the  lake  from  June  19  to 
July  4,  and  again  in  1904  most  of  the  time  from  October  22  to 
November  11.  Mr.  Clark  was  there  in  1904  from  October  17  to 
November  29  and  again  from  December  1  to  January  5  following, 
and  Dr.  Scovell  from  November  28  to  26.  In  1906,  Mr.  Clark 
carried  on  observations  from  July  19  to  November  25,  and  Dr.  C. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  17 

B.  Wilson  of  Westfield,  Mass.,  studied  the  parasites  of  the  fishes 
of  the  lake  during  the  summer. 

In  1907,  Dr.  Evermann  was  again  at  the  lake  from  August  3 
to  8  and  from  September  7  to  November  6,  and  Mr.  Clark  from 
September  12  to  November  6. 

In  1908,  Mr.  Clark  was  at  the  lake  from  August  19  to  Sep- 
tember 11,  Dr.  Wilson  from  August  19  to  September  7,  Donald 
Earll  of  Washington,  D.  C,  from  August  19  to  September  4,  and 
Dr.  Evermann  from  September  6  to  10.  In  1909,  Mr.  Clark  and 
Dr.  Wilson  carried  on  work  from  July  21  to  28,  on  August  1  and 
2,  and  from  August  31  to  September  13.  In  1910,  Dr.  Evermann 
was  at  the  lake  September  27  to  29,  and  October  1,  2  and  6 ;  and 
from  October  31  to  November  4  in  1912.  In  1913,  Dr.  Evermann 
was  at  the  lake  from  September  2  to  October  20,  and  Mr.  Clark 
from  September  9  to  November  9. 

In  addition  to  the  observations  made  by  the  above  named  in- 
vestigators, a  great  many  observations  were  made  and  recorded 
by  Mr.  Chadwick,  particularly  in  the  winters  from  1898  to  1914. 

It  will  be  observed  from  the  foregoing  that  more  or  less  field 
work  was  done  in  each  month,  but  that  most  of  it  was  done  in  the 
summer  and  fall  months.  The  longest  continuous  period  of  obser- 
vation was  that  from  June  19,  1900,  to  July  11,  1901.  The  longest 
continuous  period  by  any  one  observer  was  that  covered  by  Mr. 
Clark  from  August  27,  1900,  to  July  11,  1901.  During  the  winter 
of  1900-1901,  Mr.  Clark  spent  the  entire  time  alone  at  the  lake 
devoting  all  his  time  to  field  observations.  Practically  the  only 
other  winter  observations  we  have  are  those  communicated  to  us 
by  Mr.  Chadwick. 

Perhaps  the  most  satisfactory  records  are  those  for  the  fall 
months,  September  and  October,  as  those  months  have  been  cov- 
ered, in  part  at  least,  in  more  different  years.  The  spring  records 
are  most  incomplete  and  unsatisfactory,  practically  the  only  obser- 
vations foi"  those  months  being  those  made  by  Mr.  Clark  in  1901. 
It  is  much  to  be  regretted  that  a  more  thorough  study  of  the  lake 
could  not  have  been  made  in  those  important  months. 

While  our  studies  of  the  lake  have  been  quite  unevenly  dis- 
tributed throughout  the  year,  while  many  observations  have  not 
been  verified  as  often  as  might  be  desired,  and  while  many  phases 
of  lake  study  have  barely  been  touched,  and  others  not  at  all, 
nevertheless,  it  is  hoped  that  the  studies  have  added  materially 
to  our  knowledge  and  understanding  of  the  physics  and  biology 
of  small  glacial  lakes,  such  as  are  found  so  abundantly  in  the  upper 
Mississippi  Valley  states. 


18  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

It  is  regretted  that  the  publication  of  this  report  has  been  so 
long  delayed.  Much  of  it  was  written  in  the  winter  of  1901-1902, 
but  before  it  could  be  completed  other  duties  so  engrossed  the 
attention  of  the  senior  author  as  to  render  its  completion  at  that 
time  impossible.  This,  however,  has  not  been  wholly  without  com- 
pensating advantages,  in  that  opportunity  occurred  from  time  to 
time  to  revisit  the  lake  and  make  new  observations,  verify  former 
ones,  or  to  study  phases  previously  neglected.  As  a  result,  it  is 
now  possible  to  write  on  some  of  the  problems  more  fully  and  with 
greater  confidence,  and  to  make  the  report  somewhat  more  com- 
prehensive. It  also  enables  us  to  omit  certain  discussions  and 
conclusions  which  later  observations  failed  fully  to  support. 

There  still  remains  a  multitude  of  problems  which  should 
receive  further  study  and  which  the  writers  would  like  very  much 
to  consider,  but  they  feel  the  report  should  not  be  longer  delayed. 

Even  so,  they  feel  that  more  is  probably  known  of  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee, particularly  of  its  biology,  than  of  any  other  lake  in  the 
world. 

It  may  be  thought  by  some  that  the  scope  of  the  report  is  too 
broad,  that  subjects  are  included  which  do  not  bear  any  relation 
to  fish-culture.  Such  is  not  the  case.  There  is  probably  not  a 
species  of  animal  or  plant  in  or  about  the  lake  that  does  not  bear 
some  relation,  more  or  less  important,  to  the  fish-life  of  the  lake. 
The  truth  of  this  impresses  itself  more  and  more  evidently  upon 
one  as  he  becomes  more  and  more  fully  acquainted  with  the  rela- 
tions and  inter-relations  of  the  multitude  of  species  of  animals 
and  plants  in  and  about  the  lake,  and  their  dependence  and  inter- 
dependence among  and  upon  each  other.  The  field  naturalist  is 
constantly  observing  facts  and  phenomena,  climatic  and  biologic, 
which  impress  upon  him  the  great  principle  of  the  dependence  of 
the  varied  forms  of  organic  life  upon  climatic  conditions  and  of 
the  inter-dependence  of  the  various  species  among  themselves  and 
upon  each  other.  One  who  has  never  made  any  special  study  of 
these  problems  in  the  field  may  find  it  difficult  to  discover  the  rela- 
tions or  to  appreciate  their  significance.  That  is  to  be  expected. 
Some  of  the  relations  and  the  significance  of  others  may  not  always 
be  evident  even  to  him  who  has  given  them  consideration ;  but  he 
feels  that  all  available  facts  are  worth  recording  and  that  the  rela- 
tions and  the  meaning  thereof  will  in  time  appear. 

Acknowledgments: — To  mention  the  names  of  all  those  from 
whom  the  writers  have  received  assistance  in  their  study  of  Lake 
Maxinkuckee  would  be  impossible.  Nearly  every  cottager  about 
the  lake,  and  scores  of  the  anglers  who  visit  the  lake  from  time 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  19 

to  time,  have  extended  courtesies  in  various  ways,  such  as  giving: 
information  regarding  their  anghng  experiences  at  the  lake,  per- 
mitting their  catch  to  be  measured  and  weighed,  and  furnishing 
fish  to  be  examined  for  a  study  of  their  food  or  parasites.  Similar 
favors  have  been  shown  by  a  number  of  persons  who  come  to  the 
lake  in  the  fall  to  hunt  ducks.  We  are  under  special  obligation 
to  Mr.  S.  S.  Chadwick,  formerly  of  Long  Point,  Lake  Maxinkuckee, 
now  of  Ithaca,  Mich.,  Mr.  George  E.  Farrington  and  other  officials 
of  the  Vandalia  Railroad,  and  Captain  Eisenhard  of  the  Culver 
Military  Academy,  for  assistance  of  various  kinds. 

To  the  Lake  Maxinkuckee  Association,  particularly  to  its  some- 
time secretary,  Mr.  W.  T.  Wilson  of  Logansport,  we  are  indebted 
for  courtesies  of  many  kinds.  Mention  should  be  made  also  of  the 
late  Colonel  A.  F.  Fleet,  for  many  years  Commandant  of  the  Cul- 
ver Military  Academy;  Colonel  L.  R.  Gignilliat,  the  present  Com- 
mandant of  that  flourishing  institution ;  of  Mr.  Brownell  of  Peru ; 
Mr.  Clement  Vonnegut  of  Indianapolis;  and  Mr.  J.  H.  Vajen  of 
Indianapolis ;  also  of  Judge  A.  C.  Capron  and  Colonel  Daniel  Mc- 
Donald of  Plymouth.  All  these  gentlemen  rendered  us  real  service 
for  which  we  desire  to  express  grateful  appreciation. 

To  Mr.  Chadwick  we  are  indebted  for  the  air  and  water  tem- 
perature records  from  October  18,  1899,  to  June,  1900,  and  for 
other  briefer  periods,  also  for  a  vast  amount  of  useful  informa- 
tion regarding  the  fishes,  birds  and  mammals,  and  regarding 
weather  conditions.  Mr.  Chadwick's  long  and  intimate  acquaint- 
ance with  the  lake,  keen  powers  of  observation,  and  skill  as  hunter 
and  fisherman,  enabled  him  to  supply  us  with  much  valuable  data 
which  could  have  been  secured  from  no  other  source. 

To  Mr.  Farrington  we  are  indebted  for  material  assistance  in 
enabling  the  Bureau  to  keep  the  lake  stocked  with  bass  and  wall- 
eyed pike. 

To  these  gentlemen  and  to  all  others  who  co-operated  so  effect- 
ively with  us  in  our  work  we  take  this  opportunity  to  express, 
not  only  for  ourselves  but  for  the  Bureau  of  Fisheries,  grateful 
appreciation. 

Special  Localities  often  referred  to  in  Various  Chapters 

OF  this  Report 

In  the  chapters  which  follow  frequent  references  are  made  to 
various  particular  localities  or  places  about  the  lake.  In  order 
that  these  references  may  be  readily  understood,  the  locations  of 
the  places  referred  to  are  here  definitely  described : 


20  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Arlington  Hotel: — On  the  west  side  of  the  lake  at  the  base  of  the 
east  side  of  Long  Point,  and  within  a  few  yards  of  the  Arlington 
railroad  station. 

Assembly  grounds: — On  the  west  side  of  the  lake  about  1,000 
to  2,000  feet  north  of  the  Outlet.  These  grounds  are  across  the 
railroad  from  the  lake  and  are  high  and  sparsely  wooded. 

Bardsley  cottage: — On  the  northeast  shore  of  Lost  Lake  in  the 
west  of  Green's  woods.     Known  also  as  Sunset  cottage. 

Birch  sivarnp: — On  west  side  of  railroad  near  Walley's,  about 
a  mile  south  of  Arlington. 

Chadwick  house: — Near  the  end  of  Long  Point  on  the  west  side 
of  the  lake. 

Cidver  Academy  grounds: — On  the  north  side  of  the  lake  near 
the  east  side,  fronting  on  the  west  part  of  Aubeenaubee  Bay. 

Cidver  Creek: — Entering  the  lake  at  Aubeenaubee  Bay  in  the 
east  part  of  the  Academy  grounds. 

Belong: — On  Tippecanoe  River,  3  miles  south  of  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee. 

Drained  lake: — About  2^  miles  west  of  the  Outlet. 

Edivards'  hoathouse: — On  the  east  side,  at  the  mouth  of  Au- 
beenaubee Creek. 

Farrar's  tvoods: — A  heavy  forest  of  many  acres  along  the  south 
end  of  the  lake  from  Murray's  east  to  the  neighborhood  of  Over- 
myer's  brook.  This  wood  consists  chiefly  of  oaks,  hickories,  elms, 
willows,  poplars,  sassafi-as,  and  dense  underbrush.  It  is  fully  de- 
scribed elsewhere. 

Fish  Commission  station: — The  Shady  Point  (formerly  the 
Duenweg)  cottage  on  the  west  side  of  the  lake  in  front  of  the  Arl- 
ington railroad  station  and  adjacent  to  the  Arlington  hotel.  (See 
plate  34.) 

Gravelpit: — Just  west  of  the  railroad  on  the  west  side  of  the 
lake,  600  to  1,800  feet  south  of  the  Arlington  station. 

Green  hoathouse: — On  the  lake  shore  at  the  west  edge  of  the 
Norris  Inlet  marsh — the  large  marsh  at  the  head  of  the  lake. 

Green's  marsh: — Sometimes  called  Green's  flat,  a  tract  of  about 
11  acres  of  low,  marshy  ground,  on  the  west  side' of  Long  Point, 
between  it  and  the  railroad  and  just  south  of  Outlet  Bay.  This 
marsh  is  covered  with  a  rich  growth  of  blue-joint  grass  (Calama- 
grostis  canadensis),  sedges  (Carex),  a  large  clump  of  button- 
bush  (Cephalanthus  occidentalis) ,  low  willows  (Salix  bebbiana) , 
and  a  little  Cornus.  During  times  of  high  water  this  marsh  be- 
comes flooded  so  that  a  boat  can  be  rowed  about  over  it.  In  dry 
weather  it  can  be  walked  over. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  21 

Green's  ivoods: — Between  Lake  Maxinkuckee  and  Lost  Lake. 

Hawk's  marsh: — At  the  southwest  bordei-  of  the  town  of  Cul- 
ver, or  just  west  of  the  Assembly  grounds.  The  marsh  comprises 
3  or  4  acres.  It  is  a  sphagnum  bog  with  a  dense  thicket  of  poison 
sumac,  mountain  holly,  winter  holly,  chokeberry,  and  the  like.  In 
the  middle  of  the  marsh  is  a  small  pond  around  which  are  cran- 
berries, pitcher  plants,  high  bush  huckleberries,  leather  leaf,  marsh 
rosemary,  cotton  grass,  etc. 

Ice-houses: — On  the  west  side  of  the  lake  at  Outlet  Bay  and 
north  of  the  Outlet  about  500  feet. 

Indiana  hoathonse: — On  the  east  side  about  half  a  mile  north  of 
the  Maxinkuckee  road. 

Indiaympolis  pier: — On  the  east  side  about  2500  feet  south  of 
the  mouth  of  Aubeenaubee  Creek. 

Jenks'  cottage: — East  side  of  Long  Point  near  the  McSheehy 
cottage. 

Lakevieiv  Hotel: — On  the  north  shore  of  the  lake  about  1,000 
feet  east  of  the  Culver  railroad  station. 

Lapaz  Junction,  18  miles  north  of  Culver. 

McOiiat  cottage: — On  east  side  of  lake  north  of  the  Indianapolis 
pier. 

McSheehy  cottage: — East  side  of  Long  Point  near  the  tip. 

Murray's: — A  small  farm  bordering  the  southwest  part  of  the 
lake,  south  of  the  Gravelpit. 

Nor)  is  pier: — At  the  southeast  corner  of  the  lake  about  1,200 
feet  from  Norris  Inlet. 

Outlet: — At  the  base  of  the  north  side  of  Long  Point.  It  is 
crossed  at  its  beginning  by  a  concrete  bridge  on  the  public  high- 
way and  also  by  the  Vandalia  Railroad  a  few  feet  further  down. 
Sometimes  referred  to  as  the  Thoroughfare. 

Outlet  marsh: — The  low,  marshy  ground  along  the  Outlet  be- 
tween the  railroad  bridge  and  the  upper  end  of  Lost  Lake.  This 
marsh  is  mostly  under  water  and  is  covered  with  a  rank  growth  of 
bluejoint  grass,  sedges  and  cattails.  It  is  a  favorite  resort  for 
bitterns,  rails,  long-billed  marsh  wrens,  and  red-winged  blackbirds. 

Outlet  stream: — The  stream  connecting  Lost  Lake  with  the 
Tippecanoe  River;  sometimes  called  Outlet  Creek. 

Overmyer's  ivoods: — On  the  south  shore  of  the  lake  between 
Farrar's  woods  and  Norris  Inlet.  This  has  the  same  general  char- 
acter as  Farrar's  woods,  except  that  much  of  it  is  on  higher  ground 
in  which  there  is  a  good  deal  of  clay. 

Palmer  house: — On  the  north  shore  just  west  of  the  Academy 
grounds. 


22  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Scovell  cottage: — On  the  east  side  of  Long  Point. 

Shady  Point: — In  front  of  the  Arlington  station  and  adjacent 
to  the  Arhngton  hotel  grounds.  This  was  formerly  known  as  the 
Duenweg  cottage  and  was  occupied  by  the  U.  S.  Fish  Commission 
party  in  1899-1901.      (See  plate  34.) 

Tamarack  sivamp: — About  two  miles  west  of  the  Assembly 
grounds. 

Thoroughfare: — The  Outlet  or  stream  connecting  the  two  lakes. 

Va Jen's  cottage: — On  northeast  side  of  lake, 

Walley's  woods: — Just  west  of  the  railroad  and  bordering  Out- 
let Creek,  about  a  mile  southwest  of  the  lake. 

Walter  Knapp  cottage: — East  side  of  Long  Point  just  north  of 
the  Scovell  cottage. 

Win  field's  cottage: — On  the  west  side  of  the  lake  north  of  the 
Outlet. 

PHYSICAL  FEATURES 

Location: — Lake  Maxinkuckee  is  situated  in  about  41°  12'  north 
latitude,  and  86°  24'  west  longitude,  in  northern  Indiana,  on  the 
Terre  Haute  and  Logansport  Railroad  (Vandalia  Line).  It  is  34 
miles  south  of  South  Bend,  Indiana,  94  miles  southeast  of  Chicago, 
32  miles  north  of  Logansport,  121  miles  north  of  Indianapolis  and 
149  miles  north  of  Terre  Haute.  It  is  easily  reached  by  the  Penn- 
sylvania Line  fromi  any  of  the  places  above  mentioned.  It  lies 
wholly  in  Union  Township  in  the  southwest  corner  of  Marshall 
County ;  the  distance  westward  to  the  Starke  County  line  being 
2.25  miles,  and  to  the  Fulton  County  line  on  the  south,  but  1  mile. 

The  Vandalia  Railroad  runs  north  and  south  along  the  west 
shore  of  the  lake.  Near  the  north  end  of  the  west  side  of  the  lake 
is  the  town  of  Culver,  with  a  population  of  about  1,500,  which  is 
the  principal  railroad  station  for  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  One  mile 
south  from  Culver  is  a  flag  station  called  Arlington.  On  the  east 
side  of  the  lake,  and  about  a  half  mile  back  from  it,  is  the  little 
village  of  Maxinkuckee  with  a  population  of  about  100.  Near  the 
middle  of  the  north  shore  are  the  buildings  and  grounds  of  the 
Culver  Military  Academy,  a  flourishing  institution. 

Elevation  above  sea-level: — The  surface  of  the  lake  at  the  aver- 
age stage  of  water,  is  734.5  feet  above  sea-level  of  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico  at  Biloxi,  Miss.,  150  feet  above  Lake  Michigan,  and  130 
feet  below  the  summit  of  the  divide  between  Lake  Michigan  and 
the  Wabash  drainage.  It  is  15  feet  above  Tippecanoe  River  4 
miles  south,  into  which  it  drains,  and  75  feet  above  English  Lake 
20  miles  west.  The  lake  itself,  therefore,  is  situated  on  a  south 
and  west  slope. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  23 

Size,  form,  etc.: — Lake  Maxinkuckee  lies  in  a  north  and  south 
direction  and  its  greatest  length  is  2.6  miles.  The  maximum  width 
from  east  to  west  is  1.6  miles.  The  lake  covers  parts  of  sections 
15,  16,  21,  28,  32,  and  34  north,  range  1  east  of  the  second  prin- 
cipal meridian,  and  has  a  total  area  of  1,854  acres.  The  average 
length  of  the  shore  line  is  7.3  miles.  The  distance  around  the  lake 
by  the  road  which  goes  around  it  at  some  distance  from  the  shore, 
is  about  12  miles. 

The  form  of  the  lake,  as  may  be  seen  from  the  map,  is  quite 
regular.  The  major  axis  lies  in  an  approximately  north  and  south 
direction,  but  about  one-quarter  east  of  the  middle  of  the  lake. 
The  longest  line  from  east  to  west  is  about  the  same  distance  north 
of  the  middle  of  the  lake.  In  the  north  half  of  the  lake  the  east 
and  west  shore  lines  are  approximately  parallel,  but  in  the  south 
half  they  converge  considerably,  and  that  part  of  the  lake  is  much 
narrower  than  the  north  half. 

There  are  not  many  bays  or  indentations  of  importance.  At 
the  northeast  corner  of  the  lake  is  Aubeenaubee  Bay,  the  most 
pronounced  of  any.  On  the  east  the  shore-line  sweeps  eastward 
in  a  long  regular  curve,  making  a  long  but  narrow  bay.  At  the 
south  end,  as  already  stated,  the  lake  narrows  greatly,  producing 
a  considerable  bay  extending  somewhat  toward  the  southeast. 
Near  the  middle  of  the  west  side  is  a  point  of  land  known  as  Long 
Point,  projecting  into  the  lake  toward  the  northeast.  This  is  the 
most  pronounced  and  conspicuous  irregularity  in  the  shore-line  of 
the  lake.  The  north  line  of  Long  Point  runs  approximately  east 
and  west  and  at  the  Outlet  the  shore-line  turns  to  the  northward 
again,  resulting  in  a  considerable  indentation  known  as  Outlet  Bay. 

Character  of  the  s^ir rounding  country: — The  country  surround- 
ing Lake  Maxinkuckee  lies  wholly  in  the  glacial  region  of  Indiana. 
The  lake  is  near  the  southwestern  angle  of  the  Saginaw  Moraine, 
and  deep  borings  in  the  adjacent  soil  indicate  that  at  its  greatest 
depth  it  does  not  reach  the  bottom  of  the  drift.  The  topographic 
features  are  somewhat  varied,  as  shown  on  the  accompanying  map. 
There  are  numerous  small  hills  with  gentle  slopes,  and  among 
them  are  a  good  many  kettle-holes,  some  of  considerable  depth, 
and  with  more  or  less  water  during  wet  seasons,  while  others  are 
less  deep  and  fairly  dry.  While  the  surface  irregularities  are  con- 
siderable, they  are,  as  a  rule,  not  abrupt.  The  highest  land  any- 
where about  the  lake  is  a  hill  just  east  of  the  village  of  Maxin- 
kuckee about  one-half  mile  from  the  lake.  Its  elevation  above 
the  surface  of  the  lake  is  136  feet. 


24  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Soil: — It  is  desirable  to  give  some  consideration  to  the  char- 
acter of  the  various  kinds  of  soils  of  the  region  about  the  lake; 
for  the  soil  determines  in  some  measure  many  of  the  physical  and 
biological  factors  which  influence  the  lake  more  or  less  directly, 
such  as  the  topography  of  the  country,  the  flora,  fauna,  clearness 
and  purity  of  the  water,  and  the  lake  bed. 

The  Lake  Maxinkuckee  region  is  highly  favored  in  that  it  con- 
tains many  kinds  of  soils,  which  the  glaciers  brought  down  and 
deposited  about  the  lake.  Speaking  broadly,  it  may  be  said  that 
the  soil  about  Lake  Maxinkuckee  is  composed  chiefly  of  sand. 
There  are  a  few  isolated  areas  of  clay,  usually  of  small  extent, 
and  even  they  usually  have  a  considerable  proportion  of  sand 
mixed  with  the  clay.  The  west  and  south  sides  of  the  lake  are 
more  sandy  than  the  east  and  north.  Long  Point  is  a  high  sand 
ridge  underlain  with  gravel,  and  is  continued  out  into  the  lake  a 
considerable  distance  beyond  the  shore  in  a  long  sandbar  in  shal- 
low water.  In  somie  places,  at  the  southeast  corner  of  the  lake, 
there  is  considerable  gravel  and  clay  mixed  with  the  sand,  and 
at  a  few  places  on  the  north  and  east  sides,  and  one  place  at  the 
southwest  corner,  there  are  a  good  many  boulders  of  moderate 
size.  There  are  only  six  places  about  the  lake  where  there  is  any 
marsh;  two  of  these  are  on  the  north  end,  two  on  the  south,  and 
one  each  on  the  east  and  west.  The  west  one  of  those  on  the  north 
is  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Morris  boathouse  and  is  of  small  extent, 
the  other  is  on  Aubeenaubee  Bay  at  the  northeast  corner  of  the 
lake.  This  is  of.  considerable  extent,  but  the  western  part  of  it 
has  been  filled  in  by  the  improvements  at  the  Culver  Academy 
grounds.  The  marshy  tract  on  the  east  side  lies  about  the  mouth 
of  Aubeenaubee  Creek  and  extends  eastward  to  near  the  head  of 
that  creek.  At  the  southeast  corner  of  the  lake  is  the  largest  and 
lowest  area  of  marsh ;  this  lies  along  Norris  Inlet,  and  several 
acres  are  entirely  too  marshy  to  permit  walking  over.  Near  the 
middle  of  the  south  end  is  another  small  area  of  low  ground  which 
at  times  is  under  water.  The  remaining  patch  of  marsh  is  on  the 
south  of  Outlet  Bay  and  west  of  Long  Point.  This  is  known  as 
Green's  marsh  and  is  in  the  shape  of  a  narrow  strip  on  the  north- 
west side  of  Long  Point,  widening  to  the  westward  and  covering 
several  acres  just  south  of  the  Outlet. 

The  soils  of  the  catchment  basin  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee  have 
been  classified  by  the  United  States  Bureau  of  Soils^  as  Miami 

1  Soil    Survey   of    Marshall    County,    Indiana,    by    Frank    Bennett    and    Charles    W.    Ely,    Field 
Operations  of  the  Bureau  of  Soils,   1904,  pp.   689-706,  with  map. 


Lake  Maxlnkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


zo 


gravelly  sandy  loam,  Marshall  sandy  loam,  Miami  sand,  Miami 
clay  loam,  and  muck. 

The  first  of  these,  as  described  by  Bennett  and  Ely,  is  usually 
a  light  or  dark  brown  sandy  loam,  containing  a  high  percentage 
of  gravel  and,  frequently,  small  glacial  boulders.  The  subsoil  is 
a  gravelly  or  sandy  clay  w^ith  numerous  small  stones  scattered 
through  it.  This  is  the  type  of  soil  found  bordering  lakes  or  old 
lake  basins  as  a  chain  of  rounded  knolls  or  hills,  which  are  gen- 
erally composed  of  stratified  and  unstratified  sands,  clays  and 
gravels.  There  is  a  large  area  of  this  soil,  the  largest  in  the  county 
according  to  Bennett  and  Ely,  on  the  east  side  of  Lake  Maxln- 
kuckee. It  borders  the  lake  from  the  mouth  of  Culver  Inlet  on 
the  north  to  the  mouth  of  Aubeenaubee  Creek  near  the  middle  of 
the  east  side,  and  extends  east  and  southeast  from  the  lake  about 
IV2  miles  or  to  the  head  of  Aubeenaubee  Creek. 

The  Marshall  sandy  loam  borders  the  lake  from  the  mouth  of 
Aubeenaubee  Creek  south  to  Norris  Inlet,  thence  across  the  south 
end  and  up  the  west  side  to  Arlington  station.  There  is  also  a 
small  area  between  the  mouth  of  Culver  Inlet  and  the  Academy 
grounds.  This  type  of  soil  usually  presents  a  rolling  topography 
and  generally  occurs  in  irregular  ridges  composed  of  rounded 
knolls.  The  soil  in  the  intervening  depressions  is  a  heavy  black 
sandy  loam.  On  the  rounded  knolls  the  soil  is  often  quite  gravelly. 
Granite  boulders  often  occur  scattered  over  the  knolls  and  ridges. 

The  entire  north  end  of  the  lake  and  all  of  the  west  side  south 
to  beyond  the  Gravelpit  is  Miami  sand.  A  narrow  tongue  of 
the  same  runs  southward  along  the  lake  shore  to  the  extreme 
southern  end.  The  town  of  Culver  and  the  entire  region  for  some 
distance  to  the  northwest  is  of  this  character.  The  surface  to  a 
depth  of  about  9  inches  is  a  slightly  loamy  grayish  or  yellowish 
sand  of  medium  texture,  while  the  subsoil  is  a  yellow  or  orange- 
colored  sand  of  about  the  same  texture.  In  the  depressions  the 
soil  is  more  loamy,  much  darker,  and  extends  to  a  greater  depth. 
The  Miami  sand  presents  a  very  rolling  topography  and  much  of 
it  resembles  sand  dunes  in  form  and  appearance.  In  all  prob- 
ability a  large  portion  was  formerly  old  sand  dunes  on  which 
plants  obtained  a  foothold  and  checked  the  action  of  the  wind. 
Some  of  it  is  even  now  shifted  about  by  the  winds.  This  soil  has 
been,  and  still  is,  a  more  important  factor  than  any  other  in  deter- 
mining the  character  of  the  lake. 

Miami  clay  loam  is  found  near  the  lake  in  only  one  place, 
namely,  in  a  narrow  ridge  across  the  south  end  of  the  lake  and 


26  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

some  rods  back  from  it.  This  is  a  yellowish  white  loam,  almost 
white  when  dry,  but  dark  gray  when  damp,  composed  of  about 
equal  parts  of  sand  and  silt.  There  is  usually  some  gravel  scat- 
tered through  this  soil  or  left  on  the  surface  by  erosion. 

Muck  is  found  only  in  a  few  places  about  the  lake  and  in  lim- 
ited areas  along  the  creeks.  The  largest  area  is  that  about  the 
lower  course  of  Norris  Inlet.  The  low  ground  along  the  Outlet 
between  Outlet  Bay  and  Lost  Lake  (including  Green's  marsh),  a 
narrow  strip  on  either  side  of  the  creek  below  Lost  Lake,  and  a 
similar  narrow  strip  along  the  lower  part  of  Aubeenaubee  Creek, 
are  of  muck.  There  is  also  a  small  amount  about  the  mouth  of 
Culver  Lilet,  and  west  of  the  lake  about  a  mile  is  a  large  area. 

This  soil  usually  represents  deposits  of  partly  decayed  organic 
matter,  and  occurs  in  low,  wet  places,  commonly  known  as 
"marshes".  The  muck  is  usually  several  feet  deep  and  is  black 
or  brovvmish-black  in  color.  It  has  much  to  do  in  determining  the 
character  of  the  water  and  the  vegetation  of  the  parts  of  the  lake 
where  it  occurs. 

The  relation  of  the  soils  of  the  country  surrounding  the  lake 
to  the  lake  itself  is  an  intimate  one.  In  the  first  place  the  kind 
and  amount  of  soluble  salts  in  the  soil  will  determine  the  mineral 
character  of  the  water.  In  certain  places  there  appears  to  be  con- 
siderable iron  in  the  soil.  This  is  particularly  noticeable  at  the 
Gravelpit  where  large  masses  of  post-glacial  conglomerate  are 
found  resulting  from  the  cementing  of  pebbles  together.  There 
is  a  smaller  area  of  similar  material  on  the  east  side.  There  is 
also  some  lime  in  the  soil  and  no  doubt  much  is  leached  out  and 
carried  into  the  water  of  the  lake  from  which  it  is  again  removed 
by  the  various  mollusks,  and  by  certain  plants.  The  water  of  the 
springs  and  flowing  wells  also  contains  considerable  iron  and  lime. 

Erosion: — Not  a  great  amount  of  eroding  is  now  going  on  about 
the  lake.  Although  heavy  and  frequent  rains  occur,  the  soil  is 
sufficiently  sandy  to  take  up  most  of  the  water  readily  and  the 
run  off  is  not  great.  Most  of  the  abrupt  slopes  are  still  covered 
fairly  well  with  vegetation.  A  few  hills  or  ridges,  especially  along 
roadsides,  are  rather  deeply  grooved  and  channeled,  but  the  eroded 
material  is  largely  deposited  before  reaching  the  lake.  The  fall 
in  the  inlets  is  so  slight  that  comparatively  little  detritus  reaches 
the  lake  and  the  deltas  and  sandbars  formed  at  their  mouths  are 
insignificant.  The  largest  delta  is  at  the  mouth  of  Overmyer's 
Creek  at  the  south  end  of  the  lake  where  a  hilly  region,  chiefly  of 
Miami  clay  loam,  near  the  lake,  has  long  been  cleared  and  is  most 
eroded. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  27 

Trihutary  streams: — Lake  Maxinkuckee  is  a  body  of  watei-  in 
which  the  physical  and  biological  conditions  are  bunched ;  the  lake 
is  only  of  moderate  size  and  regular  in  form ;  its  catchment  basin 
is  quite  limited,  it  being  hardly  more  than  three  times  as  large 
as  the  area  of  the  lake  itself,  and  there  are  no  important  connect- 
ing streams  or  other  waters  which  complicate  the  conditions.  The 
streams  flowing  into  the  lake  are  few  in  number  and  inconsider- 
able in  size.  There  are  only  three  deserving  any  special  descrip- 
tion; these  are  known  as  Culver  Creek,  Aubeenaubee  Creek,  and 
Norris  Inlet. 

Culver  Creek: — This  creek  enters  Aubeenaubee  Bay  at  the 
northeast  comer  of  the  lake.  It  rises  in  a  small  marsh  about  2 
miles  from  the  lake,  and  pursues  a  winding  course  in  a  general 
southwesterly  direction,  entering  the  lake  in  the  eastern  part  of 
the  Culver  Military  Academy  grounds.  Just  before  entering  the 
Academy  grounds,  this  creek  turns  abruptly  to  the  west,  and,  after 
flowing  a  few  rods  in  that  direction,  turns  southward  to  enter  the 
lake.  At  the  first  bend  mentioned,  the  stream,  on  August  21, 
1900,  was  about  4  feet  wide,  and  with  a  maximum  depth  of  three 
feet,  though  the  average  depth  was  not  more  than  two  feet.  From 
this  point  it  increases  in  width  and  depth  through  the  Academy 
grounds  where  the  banks  have  been  improved  by  sodding.  Much 
marsh  gas  comes  up  when  the  bottom  is  disturbed.  There  is 
everywhere  an  abundance  of  aquatic  vegetation,  chiefly  Philotria 
canadensis,  Ceratophylhini  demerstim  and  Potamogeton.  An  effort 
is  made  by  the  Academy  authorities  to  keep  the  lower  portion  of 
this  creek  free  of  vegetation  by  dredging  it  out  with  rakes  (as 
explained  elsewhere). 

Aiiheenauhee  Creek,  named  for  the  Pottawattomie  chief  who 
at  one  time  owned  the  land  on  the  east  side  of  the  lake,  rises  in 
a  small  marsh  some  two  miles  east  of  the  lake.  This  creek  flows 
through  a  low  level  meadow  or  prairie  region.  It  averages  about 
four  feet  wide  and  from  a  few  inches  to  a  foot  in  depth  with 
occasional  deeper  holes.  The  bed  in  the  upper  part  of  its  course 
is  usually  of  fairly  compact  sand  with  some  admixture  of  muck, 
and  its  banks  are  sodded  and  rather  firm.  In  the  lower  portion 
of  its  course,  the  shores  are  more  marshy,  the  banks  less  stable, 
and  the  bed  has  an  increasingly  larger  percentage  of  muck. 
Throughout  most  of  its  length  this  creek  is  overhung  by  bushes 
and  briars  and  is  full  of  sticks  and  brush.  It  enters  the  lake  at 
the  Edwards  boathouse  near  the  middle  of  the  east  side  of  the 
lake,  or  31-4  rods  south  of  section  line  No.  28. 


28  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

N orris  Inlet  has  its  sources  in  some  small  springs  southeast  of 
the  lake  and  about  two  miles  distant.  It  flows  in  a  northwesterly 
direction  and  enters  the  lake  through  the  marsh  at  the  southeast 
corner.  Though  this  creek  does  not  carry  much,  if  any,  more 
water  than  either  of  the  others  just  described,  it  is  usually  spoken 
of  as  ''the  inlet".  The  upper  part  of  this  creek  flows  through 
fields  and  other  cleared  land,  and  the  banks  are  usually  well  defined 
and  sodded.  The  marsh  about  the  Norris  Inlet  is  about  80  rods 
wide  and  14  mile  long,  and  is  a  flat,  level,  quaking  bog  full  of 
holes.  The  lower  portion  of  the  creek  is  through  a  wet  marsh 
with  an  abundance  of  marsh-grass  and  sedges  but  with  scarcely 
any  woody  vegetation  except  a  few  bushes  of  Decodon  verticillata, 
scattered  low  clumps  of  pussy-willow,  and  an  occasional  button 
bush  (Cejjhakinthus).  There  is  but  little  vegetation  in  the  upper 
part  of  this  stream,  but  the  lower  part  is  well  filled  with  horn- 
wort  (Ceratophylhini) ,  milfoil  (Myrio'phyllurn  verticillatum),  spat- 
terdock  (Nymphaea  advena),  and  various  species  of  duckweeds. 

Overmyer's  Brook: — A  few  rods  west  from  the  mouth  of  Nor- 
ris Inlet  is  a  small  brook  about  a  mile  long  which  usually  contains 
some  water.  This  may  be  called  Overmyer's  Brook  or  Creek.  Be- 
sides this  there  is  a  very  small  brook  a  few  rods  long  near  the  south- 
west corner,  another  small  one  coming  from  the  Peebles'  flowing 
well  on  the  northeast  part  of  the  lake,  and  two  or  three  very  small 
streams  from  flowing  wells  at  the  north  end. 

The  total  volume  of  water  carried  into  the  lake  by  these  vari- 
ous little  streams  cannot  be  conveniently  nor  accurately  deter- 
mined ;  but  from  observations  and  experiments  made  at  various 
times,  the  total  daily  flow  during  July  and  August,  1900,  probably 
did  not  exceed  400  gallons  per  minute. 

Floiving  wells: — There  are  on  the  immediate  shores  of  the  lake 
more  than  100  wells,  of  which  about  50  are  flowing  wells,  i.e.,  wells 
in  which  the  water  rises  above  the  surface  of  the  ground  without 
being  pumped.  With  the  exception  of  one  or  two  recently  dug 
along  the  south  shore,  these  wells  are  all  located  on  the  east  and 
north  sides  of  the  lake.  Beginning  just  north  of  Norris  Inlet, 
flowing  wells  have  been  secured  at  irregular  intervals  all  along 
the  east  shore  and  across  the  north  end,  the  last  one  being  at  the 
Vandalia  Railroad  station  at  Culver.  These  wells  vary  greatly  in 
depth ;  some  are  only  27  to  30  feet  deep,  while  others  are  as 
much  as  138  feet  deep.  The  depths  of  all  were  not  learned, 
but  the  majority  seem  to  be  between  50  and  80  feet.  In  driving 
these  wells  it  often  happened  that  flowing  water  could  be  obtained 
at  a  certain  depth,  and,  by  going  deeper,  a  stronger  flow  would 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Stirvey  29 

be  secured.  The  deep  wells  seem  to  have  the  strongest  flow,  though 
this  is  not  invariably  the  case;  indeed,  the  "Wise  well"  at  the 
Maxinkuckee  road  is  said  to  be  110  feet  deep  and  flows  only  a 
trifle  over  one  g-allon  per  minute,  while  the  Sheerin  well  on  the 
north  side  is  only  38  feet  deep,  flows  50  gallons  per  minute,  and 
is  the  strongest  well  about  the  lake.  The  flow  of  the  difl'erent 
wells  ranges  from  three-tenths  of  a  gallon  to  50  gallons  per  minute, 
and  the  total  flow  of  all  is  about  400  gallons  per  minute.  In  some 
the  water  barely  rises  to  the  surface  of  the  ground,  while  in  others 
it  will  rise  from  10  to  18  feet  above. 

The  temperature  of  the  water  as  it  leaves  the  pipes  is  usually 
52°  F.,  the  variation  being  from  51.5°  to  54.5°.  This  variation 
is  probably  due  chiefly  to  the  length  of  pipe  on  or  above  ground, 
and  to  the  difi'erence  in  rapidity  of  flow.  The  coldest  of  all  the 
flowing  wells  is  the  one  at  the  cottage  of  Mrs.  Judge  A.  R.  Heller, 
on  the  east  side.  This  well  is  103  feet  deep,  flows  25  gallons  per 
minute,  and  has  a  temperature  of  51.5°.  The  warmest  is  that  of 
Otto  Stechhan,  also  on  the  east  side,  flowing  only  two-thirds  of  a 
gallon  per  minute  and  with  a  temperature  of  54.5°.  The  water 
in  several  of  the  pump  wells  is  colder  than  in  any  of  the  flowing 
wells,  the  coldest  being  that  at  the  cottage  of  Judge  John  Mitchell 
on  the  east  side,  the  depth  being  36  feet  and  the  temperature  50.5°. 
All  the  wells  about  the  lake  were  examined  August  25  and  26,  1900, 
and  the  temperatures  and  volumes  given  were  obtained  on  those 
dates. 

List  of  Wells  on  Shore  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee 

The  following  table  gives  the  most  important  facts  about  the 
wells  in  the  vicinity  of  the  shore  of  the  lake.  The  temperatures 
were  taken  with  a  Queen  &  Company's  protected  thermometer, 
and  the  volume  determined  by  noting  the  time  required  to  fill  a 
bucket  holding  2.5  gallons.  Several  tests  were  usually  made  at 
each  well  for  temperature  and  for  volume.  The  work  began  at 
the  well  of  H.  R.  Norris,  at  the  southeast  corner  of  the  lake,  and 
proceeded  northward.  The  temperatures  and  depths  of  the  pump 
wells  as  w^ll  as  those  of  the  flowing  wells,  were  recorded. 

The  list  is  as  of  August,  1919.  In  order  that  the  table  may  be 
useful  in  various  ways  we  have  given  a  complete  list  of  all  the  lots 
on  the  shore  of  the  lake  whether  there  is  thereon  a  flowing  well  or 
not.  In  column  1,  we  have  numbered  the  lots  consecutively  begin- 
ning with  the  Vandalia  Railroad  land  at  the  Culver  station  and 
proceeding  around  the  lake  on  the  north  side,  then  south,  then 
west,  thence  north  to  the  starting  point.    In  column  2,  we  give  the 


3) 


Lake  Maxinkuckee ,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


owner  of  each  lot;  in  3,  the  frontage;  in  4,  whether  there  is  a  cot- 
tage or  not ;  in  5,  the  depth  of  the  well ;  in  6,  the  size  of  pipe ;  in  7, 
the  flow  in  gallons  per  minute,  if  it  is  a  flowing  well ;  and  in  8,  the 
temperature  of  the  water  of  the  well. 

It  is  difficult  to  prepare  a  table  of  this  kind  that  will  remain 
accurate  very  long.  Lots  are  changing  hands,  new  wells  are  being 
driven,  old  wells  deepened,  pipes  changed,  etc.,  etc.  It  is  believed, 
however,  that  this  list  will  be  found  useful  and  interesting.  For 
much  of  the  data  we  are  under  obligations  to  the  Culver  Military 
Academy. 


No. 

Owner 

Front 
Feet 

Cottage 

Well 

Depth 

feet 

Size  of 
pipe,  in 
inches 

Number  of 

gallons  per 

minute 

Temperature 

of  water, 
degrees  Fahr. 

1 
? 

Vandalia  Railroad 

Lakeview  Hotel 

Ed.  Morris 

S.  P.  Sheerin 

Carrie  B.  Waldorf 

Albert  F.  Schad 

Fred  Thompson 

Helen  Albreeht 

2,500 

1,000 

213 

313 

100 

50 

50 

50 

50 

187 

No 

Hotel 

No 

67 
65 

2 
2 
2 

4 
2 

2 
2 
2 

.   1 

73 

54 
53 

3 

06 
50 

52 

4 

Yes., 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

38 
65 
65 
65 
65 

.53  5 

6 

8 

3.53 

7.5 

3 

Pump 

Pump 

53 

q 

Adolph  Herz 

52 

in 

Palmer  House 

Hotel 

65 

63 

11 

52.5 

12 
IS 

L.  H   Scheurman (^ 

: i 

Wm.  F.  Kuhn  and  Oscar  D.  Bohlen. 

.     65 
50 

Yes    

J  60 

i65 

52.5 

52 

14 

2.5 

3.35 

Pump 

4.41 

52 

1,5 

53 

16 

Theophilus  Gonzelman 

45 
65 
65 
65 
65 

1 
2 
3 
3 
3 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 

52 

17 

52 

18 

Culver  Military  Academy 

4,500 

40 
40 
40 
3 
3 
3 
3 
1 

52 

1<t 

52 

?n 

53 

?1 

54 

?? 

?3 

'>A 

''t 

64 

''6 

E.  R.  Culver.  .  . 

124 

Yes      .    . 

?7 

Culver-Bell 

Yes  (2) 

''S 

Laura  Culver 

245 
50 
100 
110 
100 
100 

no 

68 

92 

214 

400 

93 
70 
30 

Yes 

90 

Mary  L.  Forman 

George  Vonnegut 

No 

m 

Yes 

2.5 

1.01 

54 

31 

Bernard  Vonnegut 

Clement  Vonnegut 

Yes 

52 

8? 

Yes 

65 

3 

2      ' 
2 
3 

52  5 

S3 

Mueller  Inv.  Co 

Maude  F.Wolfe 

Mary  Y.  and  Josephine  Robinson 

Lillian  Ketchum 

Lillian  Deming  (Brownell) 

34 

3,T 

3fi 

Yes      .    .    . 

37 

Yes 

Bayview 

Hotel... 
Yes 

65 
104 

2 

2 
2 
2 
2.5 

38 

J.  W.  Smith 

George  E.  Miller 

39 

40 

M.  M.Milliken 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

107 
103 

41 

Wm.  E.Wheeler 

8.33 
Pump 

52.5 

4? 

53 

43 

Gideon  W.  Blane 

156 

Yes 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


31 


No. 

Owner 

Front 
Feet 

Cottage 

Well 

Depth 

feet 

Size  of 
pipe, in 
inches 

Number  ot 

gallons  per 

minute 

Temperature 

of  water, 
degrees  Fahr. 

44 

Anna  R   Heller 

272 
173 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

103 
104 
104 

2 

2 
2 

25 
5.55 
1.22 
21.43 

51.5 
52 

52.5 
52 

4^ 

D.  W.  and  E.  Marmon 

46 

47 

48 

Elizabeth  Marmon 

115 
410 

49 

Charles  C.  Perry 

Yes 

70 

105 

65 

2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
2 
3 
2 
2 

2 

■in 

H.  R.  Bliss 

6 

52.5 

51 

Elizabeth  B.  Crawford 

190 

Yes 

5^ 

John  H.  Vajen 

24.17 
.40 
1.25 

52 
53 
52 

53 

Jos.  Strong 

75 

54 

L.  B.  Martin 

60 
50 

55 

Worth  B.  Steele 

Yes 

65 

5fi 

C.  R.  Green 

59 

57 

Milton  Shirk        

^208 
^  96 

Yes 

"Wise  well" 

70 
105 

78 

27 

Spring 

98 

10.29 
1.07 

16.67 

.3 

3.75 

24.75 

52 
53 
52 
53 
53  5 

58 

Guv  T   Biglev             

5Q 

fiO 

Mrs.  S.  R.  A.  Rector 

61 

Rector 
Yes  (2),... 

Yes 

Yes 

6? 

Jennie  Capron               

69 
50 
50 
70 
140 

'iO 

63 

Clarence  Carson 

64 

Jacob  Cramer 

65 

Emma  Rhodhammel 

Yes 

Yes 

100 
100 
110  to 
115 
100 
40 

2 

0 

2 
2 

66 

67 

A   B.  Gates  

1.16 

68 

Edward  Hazeldine 

140 

Yes 

53 

69 

Mrs.  C.  Maus 

Pump 

Pump 

Pump 

Pump 

51  5 

70 

52  5 

71 

R.  T.  Daggett 

52  0 

79. 

Dr.  Charles  Benepe     

140 

213 

71 

71 

71 

71 

71 

212 

110 

70 

50 

356 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

75 
100 
104 
10(j 
110 
IIG 
120 

2 
2 
2 

2 
2 
2 

53  0 

73 

Charles  E.  Coffin 

74 

Francis  W.  Jones  (Dr.  Parsons) 

Jacob  V.  Stimson 

75 

76 

Eleanor  Y   Hoard 

77 

Florence  B.  Halliday 

78 

79 

Magdelina  Favre 

W.  W.  Wilson   

SO 

Yes 

81 

Alfred  M.  Glosbrenner 

F   M.  Harwood 

Yes 

120 

47.5 
130 

14 

2 

83 

Yes 

Yes 

Pump 

53 

83 

Richard  A.  Edwards  (boathouse) 

53 

84 

Pump 

53 

85 

50 
100 

58 
143 
148 

86 

John  Mitchell      

Yes 

Yes 

36 

Pump 

50.5 

87 

Francis  A.  Helm          

88 

Harvey  Bates                 

Ves 

89 

Martha  L.  Wilson 

T.  H.  Wilson 

Yes 

9n 

Pump 

52 

91 

Frank  M    Rice 

50 

Yes 

92 

Pump 

Pump 

Pump 

Pump 

Pump 

52.5 

93 

Mary  J.  Snider                  

101 

Yes 

Yes 

48 

51.5 

94 

W.  T.  Wilson                      

51 

95 
96 

Mary  Judah 

107 
125 
100 
100 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

48 
40 

51.5 

97 

Harrv  C   Adams 

Pump 

Pump 

Pump 

52.2 

98 
99 

Rice  and  Vaughn 

Yes 

37 

52 

52 

inn 

Henrv  Mordhiirst 

52 

Yes 

ini 

Mrs   W   E   Shedd 

Pump 

Pump 

51.4 

102 

L.  T.  Van  Schoiack 

30 

52 

3—17618 


32 


Lake  Maxmkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


No. 

Owner 

Front 
Feet 

Cottage 

Well 

Depth 

feet 

Size  of 
pipe,  in 
inches 

Number  of 

gallons  per 

minute 

Temperature 

of  water, 
degrees  Fahr. 

103 

E.  B.  McOuat 

207 
454 
100 
50 
125 
120 

Yes 

104 

Lavina  Walker 

No 

105 

Sidney  A.  \'aughii 

Yes 

infi 

Mary  Van  Schoiack 

No 

107 

J.  D.  Ferguson 

Yes 

lOS 

Fred  Gompf 

Yes  (3).... 

101 

J.  A.  Maxwell  

Pump 

52 

110 

Walter  Twiname 

50 

100 
75 
50 

Yes 

111 

Marion  Ellsworth     

Yes 

52  5 

IP 

C.  D.  Snoeberger     

Yes 

113 

Anna  B.  Bramen 

Yes 

114 

A.  Curtis 

40 

Pump 

52  5 

IIS 

W.  F.  Christian 

100 
70 
75 

Yes 

llfi 

Wm.  Wallace 

Yes 

117 

Pierce  and  Ward 

Yes 

lis 

M.  V.  McGilliard  

Yes 

Pump 

Pump 

53 

11<^ 

J.  M.  Dresser          

50 

200 

514 

61 

78 

163 

127 

65 

77 

77 

Yes 

Yes  (3) . . . . 

63.5 

53  6 

1?0 

Mary  L.  Taylor 

n\ 

Lavina  Walker 

No 

Yes 

100 

2 

^n 

Eva  Sherman 

i?3 

Richard  Irwin 

Yes 

Yes 

100 

2 
2 

1?4 

Otis  Hann 

l?.") 

Cordelia  Edwards   

Yes 

1?6 

Marvin  T.  Loudon 

No 

m 

EfKeCrabb 

Yes 

1?S 

Chester  Edwards 

Wm.  Daggett 

Yes 

n^ 

Pump 

0  66 

0  75 

3.57 

51  8 

130 

H.  C.  Chandler 

37 
(104) 

64 
(100) 

71.6 

2 
(2) 

1 

2 

53  4 

131 

Daniel  W.  Gardner 

90 

372 
200 
143 

M  mile 

1,200 

100 

548 

101 

500± 

50 

50 

140 

50 

50 

\4.  mile 

172 
47 

100 
45 
42 
50 

400 

Yes 

Yes  (3) . . . . 
Yes 

52.5 

132 

Edwin  Fulton 

52.5 

133 

Jes?e  Hey  wood 

134 

William  J.  Wood 

Yes 

135 

Harvey  R .  Norris 

(No) 

Yes 

Yes       .   . 

(104) 
66 

2 

1.2 

53  8 

136 

Daniel  Easterday 

137 

Adolph  Muessel 

Yes 

13S 

Samuel  Medbourn 

Yes 

139 

William  Rankin 

Yes 

140 

John  W.  Cromley 

141 

L  &  H.  Faulkner 

142 

Washington  Overmeyer 

Boathouse . 

Yes 

Boathouse . 
Yes 

143 

Daniel  McDonald 

60 
60 

2 

2 

144 

William  Cline 

52.8 

145 

Lewis  McDonald    . . 

146 

Ada  F.  Daugherty  (Col. Farrar  estate) 

(John  Murray  plot:) 

Ida  Walker 

Pump 

Pump 

51 

147 

51 

148 

Ida  Rovell 

Yes 

149 

David  C.  Jenkins 

Yes 

150 

James  E.  Hillis 

151 

Lloyd  Rovell.'. 

Yes 

152 

Maude  Abbott  (end  of  Murray  plot). . 
Catherine  Duenweg 

No 

153 

Yes 

154 

James  Green  (Wm.  O'Keefe)   . . 

Yes 

Pump 

155 

Bardsley  Cottage  (Lost  Lake) 

Yes 

Pump 

156 

SchrofT  (Shadv  Point) 

160 
160 
100 

Yes 

Pump 

Pump 

Pump 

52 

157 

William  H.  Holland  (Arlington) 

George  W.  Barnes 

No 

52 

52 

158 

Yes 

52.1 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


33 


No. 

Owner 

Front 

Feet 

Cottage 

Well 

Depth 

feet 

Size  of 
pipe, in 
inches 

Number  of 

gallons  per 

minute 

Temperature 

of  water, 
degreesFahr. 

\m 

W.C.  Routh 

50 
50 

Yes 

1 

ifin 

Cordelia  C.  Shafer  (Scovell) 

Yes 

■|             

ifii 

Frank  C.  Murphy  (Walter  Knapp) 

1 

16? 

Jane  A.  Fisher  (Green's  plot) 

30 
50 
50 
75 
25 
100 
50 
50 
5b 
100 
100 
37.5 
37.5 
75 
75 
80 
80 
92 

83.25 
55.5 
55.5 
55.5 
27.75 

450 
274 
191 
440 

50 
1,000 

80 
140 
130 
100 
100 
100 

163 

Loretta  Z.  Heilman 

Yes 

1 

164 

Charles  Monninger 

Yes 

Yes 

50 

Pump 

52  8 

165 

Henry  Meyer 

166 

Mary  B.  Reitemeier 

Yes 

167 

Mintie  A.  Holman 

Yes. 

168 

Arthur  H.  Springer 

Yes 

16"^ 

Frank  B.  Murphy  (Plank) 

Yes 

170 

Fred  A.  Seeburger 

Yes... 

... 

171 

John  J.  Campbell 

Yes 

17? 

Jacob  W.  Miller 

Yes 

Pump 

52  5 

173 

Otto  E.  Hornung 

Yes 

174 

Webster  &  Folrath 

175 

Keller,  Florin  &  Retz 

Yes 

176 

Jessie  Uhl  and  Mary  Traut 

Yes 

177 

Maude  C.  Goldsmith 

Yes 

17S 

H.J.  McSheehy 

Yes 

Pump 

Pump 

52 

17P 

Ivathrvn  Duenweg 

Yes.... 

52 

isn 

A.  J.  Shepherd  

Yes . . . 

181 

Weinstein  &  Dahlen     

Yes 

18? 

Edward  W.  Johnson 

Frances  J.  Duenweg 

Yes 

183 

Yes 

184 

Jane  A.  Fisher  (Judge  Slick) 

(Chad wick  plot:) 
John  H.  Himmelberger 

Yes...   . 

185 

Yes 

186 
187 

Melvin  T.  Anderson  (Chadwick) 

Isador  Hessel  (Chadwick) 

Hotel 

Yes 

29 

Pump 

54 

188 

Charles  E.  Holbrunner  

Yes 

i8q 

C.  C.  Durr  and  George  Green 

Maurice  Win  field  . 

No.... 

ipn 

Yes 

Yes 

36 

Pump 

Pump 

53 

ipi 

Daniel  Wolf 

1 

51 

w> 

M.  R.  Cline 

Yes 

1P3 

Samuel  Medbourn. .          

Yes 

1(14 

Helen  M.  Outland               

Yes 

2 

Wi 

iq6 

Ed   Morris 

No 

1 

There  are  a  few  small  springs  along-  the  shores,  and  probably 
a  good  many  in  the  bottom  of  the  lake,  but  how  much  they  con- 
tribute to  the  supply  of  the  lake,  there  is  no  means  of  knowing. 

The  water  of  the  springs  and  wells  in  several  cases  contains 
a  considerable  amount  of  iron.  In  some  wells  the  iron  is  per- 
ceptible to  the  taste  and  discolors  the  drain  troughs.  The  water 
in  all  contains  some  lime,  the  well-water  being  about  three  times 
as  hard  as  that  of  the  lake.  In  some  instances  boards  exposed  to 
it  become  coated  with  lime. 

In  addition  to  the  wells  given  above,  numerous  others  have  been 
constructed  since  our  observations  were  made.  Weak  flowing  wells 
have  been  obtained  at  the  McDonald  cottage  between  Farrar's  and 


34  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

the  south  spring.  Many  of  the  wells  which  are  not  flowing  have 
the  water  within  a  few  feet  of  the  surface. 

President  W.  W.  Parsons  of  the  Indiana  State  Normal  School, 
who  has  built  on  the  east  side  since  the  census  of  wells  was  taken, 
has  a  flowing  well  116  feet  deep  which  remains  at  52°  the  year 
round ;  now  owned  by  Francis  W.  Jones. 

The  sum  total  of  water  entering  the  lake  from  the  flowing  wells 
actually  measured,  is,  therefore,  about  400  gallons  a  minute,  which 
equals  24,000  gallons  an  hour  or  576,000  gallons,  or  considerably 
over  a  half  million  gallons,  every  day  of  24  hours.  Add  to  this 
another  400  gallons  per  minute  from  the  various  tributary  creeks 
and  we  have  a  total  of  1,152,000  gallons  daily.    This  large  amount. 


The  Duenweg-  or  Shady  Point  Cottage,  useci  as  headquarters  by  the  investigators  in  1899- 
1901.    The  Arlington  station  seen  in  the  baciiground  at  the  right. 

added  to  the  unknown  amount  from  under-water  springs,  must 
exercise  a  great  influence  on  both  the  character  and  temperature 
of  the  lake  water  the  year  round. 

The  Outlet: — The  outlet  or  thoroughfare  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee 
is  near  the  middle  of  the  west  side  just  north  of  Long  Point, 
through  a  small  stream  which,  after  flowing  sluggishly  for  about 
3  rods  to  the  west  and  south,  enters  Lost  Lake.  Just  as  the  Outlet 
leaves  the  lake  it  is  crossed  by  a  wagon  bridge,  and  27  feet  west 
of  this  the  Vandalia  Railroad  bridge  also  crosses  it.  Immediately 
below  the  railroad  bridge  the  stream  turns  southward  and  con- 
tinues nearly  due  south  through  a  somewhat  artificial  channel  for 
800  feet,  and  then  through  a  wet  marsh  about  1,000  feet  to  Lost 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  85 

Lake  into  which  it  gradually  widens.  The  banks  are  low  and  the 
adjacent  ground  is  of  soft  black  muck  over  which  one  cannot  pass, 
except  in  the  driest  season,  without  danger  of  miring.  At  the 
lower  end  the  marsh  along  its  edges  is  continually  under  water. 
The  bed  of  the  stream  at  the  bridges  is  artificially  16  feet  wide 
and  the  water  about  18  inches  deep  in  dry  weather.  There  is 
usually  a  fairly  strong  current  at  the  bridges,  but  below  them  it 
is  barely  perceptible. 

Shore  and  Beach: — The  shores  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee  are  in 
most  places  several  feet  above  the  lake  level ;  there  is  very  little 
marsh  ground  anywhere.  The  beach  is  usually  of  compact  sand 
or  fine  gravel ;  with  the  exception  of  a  few  rods  at  Norris  Inlet 
and  a  few  yards  in  3  or  4  other  places,  it  would  be  possible  to 
drive  a  team  and  wagon  entirely  around  the  lake  in  shallow  water 
without  any  danger  of  miring. 

Beginning  at  the  Outlet  and  proceeding  southward  the  shore 
and  beach  may  be  described  in  detail  as  follows: 

From  the  Outlet  to  the  middle  of  the  north  side  of  Long  Point 
the  shore  is  low  and  continuous  with  Green's  marsh.  During 
extreme  high  water  the  public  highway  is  sometimes  flooded. 
Recently  the  western  portion  of  this  section  has  been  materially 
modified  by  filling  in  and  is  now  firmer  ground  than  it  was  orig- 
inally. The  beach  is  of  fine  yellow  sand,  usually  quite  firm  and 
free  of  vegetation. 

Long  Point  rises  abruptly  to  a  maximum  height  of  35  feet 
above  the  lake.  The  distal  end  of  this  point  has  recently  been 
cut  down  considerably  but  still  remains  several  feet  above  the 
lake.  The  crest  of  Long  Point  from  near  the  extreme  end  to  the 
Arlington  station  is  20  to  35  feet  above  the  water  line.  The  shore 
is  abrupt  and  bluff -like. 

The  beach  along  the  east  side  of  Long  Point  and  southward 
to  Arlington  is  of  clean  yellow  sand  with  a  considerable  propor- 
tion of  pebbles  and  fine  gravel  just  below  the  water  line. 

Toward  the  south  the  gravel  becomes  rather  more  evident. 
From  Arlington  to  the  Gravelpit  there  is  a  narrow  low  strip  ex- 
tending back  to  the  railroad  west  of  which  the  shore  rises  abruptly 
to  an  extreme  height  of  40  feet,  the  highest  point  being  at  the 
Gravelpit.  Opposite  the  Kettlehole  and  just  south  of  the  Gravel- 
pit  the  high  ground  again  approaches  very  close  to  the  water's  edge, 
so  that  we  have  a  quite  narrow  beach,  and  the  bare  beach  patches 
are  not  sandy,  but  both  shore  and  bottom  are  covered  by  very 
coarse  gravel,  the  component  pebbles  of  the  gravel  being  about 
the  size  of  a  goose's  or  hen's  e^^.    There  are  also  quite  large  rocks 


36  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

of  a  granitoid  nature  projecting  out  on  the  narrow  beach  from 
the  base  of  the  hill. 

From  Murray's  to  Farrar's  there  is  a  rather  broad  and  toler- 
ably bare  sandy  or  gravelly  beach,  with  moderately  coarse  gravel 
in  the  bottom.  The  shore  is  low  and  level,  the  ice-beach  being  the 
highest  ground.  The  next  section  of  about  1,000  feet  east  of  Far- 
rar's presents  a  strong  contrast  to  the  preceding,  the  immediate 
shore  being  a  low  marshy  woodland  with  a  well-defined  ice-beach 
near  the  water's  edge.  The  ridge  is  narrow,  2  or  3  feet  high,  and 
practically  cuts  off  a  strip  which  otherwise  would  be  a  part  of 
the  lake.  In  some  places  there  is  a  second,  similar  ice-ridge  paral- 
lel to  the  first  and  some  distance  back  of  it.  Both  of  these  ice- 
ridges  bear  trees  of  considerable  size,  some  of  them  6  inches  or 
more  in  diameter  and  20  feet  high.  The  shore  is  flat  and  mucky 
and  full  of  muskrat  holes.  It  is  thickly  covered  in  some  places 
by  the  three-cornered  bulrush  (Scivpus  americanus).  It  is  too 
miry  to  walk  on  between  the  water-line  and  the  ice-ridge ;  one  has 
to  walk  on  the  ridge  in  places. 

Following  this  flat  shore  is  a  stretch  of  110  feet  of  fine  sandy 
beach,  where  a  hill  comes  down  to  the  shore.  This  is  in  line  with 
a  public  road,  and  is  used  for  a  boat-landing.  There  is  a  broad 
beach  of  fine  yellow  sand,  and  a  gravelly  shelly  bottom,  bare  and 
sandy  a  distance  out  from  shore.  The  break  in  the  rush  patch  is 
probably  due  to  boats  going  over  this  region. 

Then  occurs  a  stretch  of  about  850  feet  reaching  from  the  end 
of  the  sandbar  mentioned  above  to  the  place  where  the  forest  comes 
to  the  shore. 

In  general  this  shore  is  a  good  deal  alike  throughout  its  extent, 
is  nearly  flat,  and  has  behind  it  most  of  the  way  an  ice-ridge  sepa- 
rating it  from  a  large  swamp  behind ;  all  of  the  shore  is  soft,  and 
it  extends  out  into  the  lake  as  a  long  broad  cape.  The  apex  point 
of  the  cape  is  sand,  but  both  sides,  especially  the  northern  side, 
are  tolerably  black  on  top  from  a  scum  of  decaying  vegetation. 

The  hill  which  fonns  the  border  of  the  swamp  approaches  the 
lake,  but  does  not  reach  it,  so  that  there  lies  a  flattish,  rich,  but 
dry  and  elevated  plain  between  it  and  the  lake.  This  plain  is  well 
forested.  At  this  place  the  hill  is  cut  in  two  by  a  deepish  and 
rather  wide  gully  with  moderately  steep,  but  well  rounded  sides, 
cut  by  Overmyer's  Brook  which  enters  the  lake  at  this  point  and 
forms  a  large  flat  sharp  delta  of  sand  which  projects  out  for  a 
considerable  distance  into  the  lake.  The  delta  holds  a  sort  of 
lagoon,  and  at  the  northeast  edge  of  the  delta  the  stream  and  waves 
have  combined  to  form  a  sandbar  with  a  sharp  apex  and  an  almost 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  37 

regular  and  equal  slope  on  each  side.  The  shore  is  quite  irregular 
here,  with  sandy  capes  and  mucky  gulfs.  The  bottom  of  the  north- 
ern half  of  this  stretch  is  of  fine  sand ;  the  southern  part  is  a  solid 
platform  of  firm  black  dirt. 

The  hill  or  bluff  here  comes  down  to  the  lake  and  there  is  a  well- 
wooded,  high  slope  coming  down  nearly  to  the  water-line.  In  most 
places  there  is  no  beach  at  all,  or  only  a  very  narrow  one.  The  hill 
is  made  up  of  a  yellowish  clay  full  of  boulders.  At  about  the 
middle  of  the  hill  a  torrent  bed  cuts  somewhat  into  the  hill  and 
makes  a  small  sandbar  off  shore.  There  are  many  quite  large 
boulders  along  the  v/ater's  edge.  Toward  the  southern  half  of  this 
stretch  the  shore  becomes  broader.  The  shore  is  gradual  in  its 
slope;  for  the  northern  half  it  has  coarsish  gravel  out  for  a  little 
way  under  water;  farther  out  it  is  fine  sand  with  ripple-marks. 
Scirpus  validus,  the  common  bulrush,  forms  a  large  patch  15  feet 
from  shore  and  farther.  Toward  the  southern  end  the  bottom  is 
filled  with  gravel,  the  pebbles  of  which  are  about  the  size  of  goose 
eggs. 

The  next  stretch  reaches  from  this  place  to  near  Norris  Inlet. 
Back  of  the  shore  is  a  flat,  dense  willow  and  red  osier  dogwood 
jungle.  There  is  a  broadish  beach  with  a  very  gradual  slope  all 
the  way.  The  shore  changes  gradually  from  a  flat  soft  fine  white 
sand  with  considerable  vegetable  intermixture  to  a  flat  miry  black 
or  brown  stretch  of  muck.  The  Scirpus,  Potamogetons,  cattail, 
etc.,  grow  so  densely  in  the  water  that  the  bottom  can  be  seen  only 
in  a  few  places.  It  is  quite  flat  and  mucky  and  marly.  There  is 
a  good  deal  of  Spirodela  (duckweed),  dead  and  white,  and  much 
green  algae  may  usually  be  seen  washed  up  on  this  flat  miry  shore. 
At  the  end  of  this  stretch  there  are  back  of  the  flat  beach  two  low, 
broad,  flat  ice-ridges,  very  close  together  and  side  by  side. 

The  region  about  the  mouth  of  Norris  Inlet  is  a  flat  sedgy  plain 
with  a  low  ice-ridge  near  the  water's  edge.  At  the  west  end  this 
ice-ridge  is  quite  high  and  well-marked;  at  the  east  end  nearer 
the  creek  it  is  less  distinct. 

The  Inlet  is  tolerably  narrow  and  deep  where  it  enters  the 
lake ;  farther  up  it  becomes  very  crooked  and  shallow,  and  its  bot- 
tom is  full  of  rootstocks  of  the  yellow  pond-lily,  or  spatterdock, 
Nymphaea  advena.  It  is  surrounded  by  about  40  acres  of  flat,  wet 
marsh,  overgrown  with  sedges,  reeds,  cattails  and  various  grasses, 
with  bushes  of  red  osier  dogwood,  or  willow  here  and  there.  Much 
of  it  is  tussocky.  Near  the  lake  it  is  quaky  and  full  of  holes. 
Along  the  sides  of  the  Inlet  are  many  lagoons.  On  both  banks 
near  the  water's  edge  is  a  thick,  narrow  growth  of  Decodon  verti- 


38  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

cillata.  This  plant  forms  a  fringe  on  each  border  some  distance 
upstream  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile. 

Besides  the  spatterdock  already  mentioned  as  growing  in  the 
bottom,  the  water  of  the  Inlet  contains  much  vegetation  on  its 
surface  along  the  edges — the  various  duckweeds  in  great  masses, 
and  great  quantities  of  the  floating  liverwort,  Riccia  fiuitans.  The 
duckweeds  thrive  in  great  abundance  at  the  mouth  of  the  Inlet. 

From  Norris  Inlet  to  the  Norris  pier — about  1,000  feet — the 
shore,  except  for  the  last  few  yards,  is  low  and  boggy.  The  ice- 
ridge  is  pretty  plainly  marked  for  much  of  this  distance.  At  Nor- 
ris's  the  low  flat  country  ceases  and  the  hill  slopes  gently  down 
to  the  water's  edge.  The  ice-ridge  stops  and  the  beach  is  composed 
of  a  strip  of  gravelly  sand.  Then  the  ice-ridge  reappears  and  is 
overgrown  with  tall  willows  and  sycamores. 

From  the  Norris  pier  northward  the  shore  is  low,  but  rises 
near  the  Indianapolis  pier  and  continues  high  until  Aubeenaubee 
Creek  is  reached.  The  beach  is  mostly  of  fine  firm  sand  with  con- 
siderable gravel  in  places  and  a  number  of  large  granite  boulders 
sparsely  scattered  near  shore. 

At  the  mouth  of  Aubeenaubee  Creek  the  country  has  been  modi- 
fied somewhat  by  dredging  and  straightening  the  stream.  The 
stream  now  flows  through  the  center  of  a  marshy  tract  about  200 
feet  wide.  This  marsh  is  of  flat  black  miry  ground  covered  with 
a  rank  growth  of  marsh  vegetation. 

From  Aubeenaubee  Creek  northward  to  beyond  the  Maxin- 
kuckee road  is  a  long  stretch  of  low,  level  ground  extending  back 
to  beyond  the  public  highway.  The  hills  or  high  ground  recede 
gradually  from  the  lake,  leaving  broad,  dry  greenswards  of  gentle 
slope.  Just  north  of  the  Maxinkuckee  road  the  high  ground  again 
approaches  the  lake  and  forms  an  abrupt  bluft'  20  to  50  feet  high 
for  a  distance  of  about  three-fourths  of  a  mile,  or  to  the  southeast 
corner  of  Aubeenaubee  Bay.  The  only  considerable  break  in  this 
line  is  the  narrow  canyon  of  Spangier  Creek  just  south  of  Brownell 
Point.  There  is  another  small  gully  north  of  the  Indiana  boat- 
house.  Throughout  this  entire  distance  the  shore  rises  abruptly 
from  the  water  line  and  much  of  it  is  protected  by  a  stone  break- 
water. There  is,  consequently,  no  beach.  In  the  shallow  water 
near  shore  are  a  good  many  granite  boulders  of  various  sizes,  and 
a  few  masses  of  post-glacial  conglomerate.  This  shore  is  the 
highest  and  most  abrupt  of  any  about  the  lake;  it  is  also  the  most 
considerable  section  of  high  shore. 

At  Aubeenaubee  Bay  the  high  ground  recedes  from  the  lake 
front  and  turns  suddenly  almost  at  a  right  angle  from  the  lake. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  mid  Biological  Survey  39 

There  is,  therefore,  facing  on  this  bay  a  broad  area  of  low,  almost 
marsh,  ground.  The  beach  is  broad  and  of  fine  sand  with  a  con- 
siderable admixture  of  muck  which  induces  a  rank  growth  of 
aquatic  vegetation. 

The  eastern  part  of  the  ground  at  the  north  end  of  the  lake  is 
occupied  by  the  Culver  Military  Academy.  This  ground  has,  of 
course,  been  greatly  modified  in  response  to  the  needs  of  this  insti- 
tution. The  gi-ounds  are  relatively  level  and  are  bordered  in  the 
rear  by  the  usual  ridge  of  higher  ground. 

West  of  the  Academy  grounds  and  extending  to  the  Vandalia 
Railroad  station  at  Culver,  the  shore  is  somewhat  higher,  espe- 
cially at  the  Lakeview  Hotel  where  it  ascends  abruptly  to  a  height 
of  30  feet  or  more.  Along  this  shore  there  is  not  much  beach, 
the  shore-line  being  for  the  most  part  artificial.  There  are,  how- 
ever, a  number  of  short  stretches  of  sandy  beach  with  boulders 
scattered  here  and  there. 

From  the  railroad  station  at  Culver  southward  to  the  Assembly 
grounds  the  shore  is  relatively  level  and  elevated  5  to  15  feet  above 
the  lake.  This  section  has  undergone  many  modifications  incident 
to  the  development  of  the  town  of  Culver  and  the  construction  of 
the  railroad  which,  in  the  main,  parallels  the  shore.  There  are 
two  or  three  small  marshy  areas,  and  at  one  place  there  is  a  small 
cape  with  lower  ground  between  it  and  the  higher  land  in  the 
background.  Beginning  with  the  Assembly  grounds  and  extend- 
ing to  the  Outlet  the  shore  rises  abruptly  as  a  sandy  hill  to  a 
height  of  30  feet  oi'  more,  there  being  only  a  narrow  strip  of  low 
ground  scarcely  wider  than  needed  by  the  railroad.  The  beach 
along  this  side  of  the  lake  is  usually  of  very  fine  sand  with  but 
few  boulders  except  at  the  cape,  and  but  little  gravel.  It  has  a 
sufficient  percentage  of  muck  and  marl  to  support  a  luxuriant 
growth  of  aquatic  vegetation. 

The  Ice-beach: — One  of  the  most  interesting  phenomena  at 
Lake  Maxinkuckee  is  the  ice-beach  or  ice-ridge  so  well-marked  on 
many  parts  of  the  shore.  In  many  places  where  the  shore  is  low 
and  moderately  firm,  an  ice-beach  is  more  or  less  evident.  Start- 
ing at  Long  Point  and  proceeding  southward  the  ridge  is  but 
faintly  or  not  at  all  marked  until  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Farrar 
cottage.  There  are  slight  evidences  at  the  base  of  Long  Point 
and  also  between  Green's  pier  and  Murray's  and  just  west  of 
Farrar's.  It  is  probable  ridges  form  periodically  along  this  shore, 
but  soon  become  obliterated  through  various  agencies.  Just  east 
of  Farrar's  is  a  very  definite  ridge,  high  and  narrow,  and  much 
resembling  an  artificial  dam  or  towpath.     It  juts  up  against  the 


40  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

shore  and  partially  cuts  off  what  was  originally  part  of  the  lake. 
In  some  places  there  is  a  second  similar  ridge  parallel  to  the  first 
and  some  feet  back  of  it.  Both  of  these  ridges  have  growing  on 
them  trees  of  considerable  size,  some  of  them  about  6  inches  in 
diameter  and  20  feet  high.  East  of  this  the  ice-ridge  is  for  a 
distance  old  and  worn  away  on  the  lake  side,  so  that  many  of  the 
trees  growing  on  it  have  been  more  or  less  undermined  and  now 
lean  out  over  the  water.  The  commonest  species  of  tree  on  the 
ridge  is  the  water-beech ;  there  is  an  occasional  willow,  soft  maple, 
elm  and  kinnikinnik  (Cornus  sericea).  From  this  point  east  to 
Norris  Inlet,  an  ice-ridge  is  more  or  less  evident  and  back  of  it 
a  second,  and  sometimes  a  third,  older  ridge  appears  for  short 
reaches. 

These  ridges,  even  the  last  and  most  evident  one,  are  usually 
not  continuous  for  more  than  a  few  rods  without  interruption. 
The  wearing  away  most  often  takes  place  on  the  lake  side  and  is 
the  result  of  undermining  by  the  waves. 

After  passing  the  miry  ground  at  the  mouth  of  Norris  Inlet  some 
500  feet  the  ice-ridge  reappears  and  is  overgrown  with  tall  slender 
willows,  weeds  and  grasses.  Just  before  reaching  the  Norris  pier 
it  stops,  but  soon  reappears  again  as  a  high  broad  ridge  overgrown 
with  tall  willows  and  sycamores.  The  ridge  then  disappears  and 
is  not  seen  again  until  just  south  of  the  Indianapolis  pier  where 
it  is  quite  pronounced  and  separates  a  small  pond  from  the  lake. 

The  rest  of  the  lake  shore  from  this  point  on  north  and  around 
to  Long  Point,  seems  to  be  entirely  without  any  ice-ridge. 

HYDROGRAPHY 

Dejoth: — In  determining  the  depth  of  the  lake  several  thousand 
soundings  were  made.  The  method  followed  in  taking  soundings 
was  essentially  as  follows : 

Two  different  sounding  machines  were  used  during  this  work. 
The  first  consisted  of  a  brass  reel  with  a  grooved  rim  on  which 
was  wound  piano  wire  of  sufficient  length.  The  circumference  of 
the  reel  or  wheel  was  just  3  feet,  so  that  in  sounding,  each  revo- 
lution of  the  wheel  reeled  off  exactly  3  feet  of  wire.  The  sounding 
lead  consisted  of  a  2V2  lb.  piece  of  lead  shaped  like  a  truncated 
pyramid  with  a  cupshaped  base  in  which  was  placed  a  small  quan- 
tity of  lard  and  beeswax  for  the  purpose  of  securing  samples  of 
the  bottom.  In  the  end  of  the  axle  was  placed  an  ordinary  cyclom- 
eter which  recorded  the  revolutions  made  by  the  wheel.  The  reel 
thus  equipped  was  installed  in  the  bow  of  a  rowboat.     In  taking 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  41 

soundings  3  people  were  employed, — one  to  row  the  boat,  one  to 
operate  the  sounding  machine,  and  one  to  record  the  readings. 

A  smaller  machine  was  sometimes  used  when  sounding  in  shal- 
low water.  This  consisted  of  a  wooden  reel  cut  out  of  a  thoroughly 
seasoned  piece  of  oak  and  then  boiled  in  oil  and  paraffin  to  pre- 
vent splitting.  This  reel  was  just  two  feet  in  circumference,  and 
on  its  grooved  rim  was  wound  piano  wire.  A  similar  but  lighter 
sounding  weight  was  used  and  the  reel  was  installed  in  the  boat 
in  essentially  the  same  manner  as  was  the  larger  one. 

Usually  a  sounding  was  taken  at  the  end  of  every  15  oar  strokes. 
An  effort  was  made  to  have  the  same  person  do  all  the  rowing. 
Before  entering  on  the  work  he  endeavored,  through  practice,  to 
acquire  a  uniform  stroke,  to  the  end  that  15-oar-stroke  intervals 
between  soundings  might  be  approximately  equal. 

Quiet  days  with  little  or  no  breeze  and  with  the  lake  surface 
undisturbed  and  smooth  were  selected  for  this  work;  under  these 
conditions  the  drifting  of  the  boat  was  reduced  to  a  minimum  and 
it  was  easy  to  follow  a  definite  line.  In  order  to  do  this,  range 
signals  were  placed  on  shore;  these  were  always  visible  to  the 
rower. 

Lines  of  soundings  were  run  across  the  lake  on  all  section,  half- 
section  and  quarter-section  lines,  both  east  and  west  and  north  and 
south,  and  in  a  number  of  places  lines  were  run  at  even  closer 
distances. 

In  order  to  determine  the  location  and  extent  of  bars,  deep 
holes,  or  other  topographic  features  of  special  interest,  a  buoy  was 
established  on  the  bar  or  other  special  feature,  from  which  radi- 
ating lines  of  soundings  were  run  in  sufficient  number  and  with 
the  soundings  at  sufficiently  short  intervals  to  determine  the  de- 
sired facts.  The  locations  of  these  buoys  were  determined  by 
sextant  readings  based  on  shore  marks  of  known  position. 

During  the  winter  of  1900-1901,  a  number  of  lines  including 
several  hundred  soundings  were  run  by  Mr.  Clark  when  the  lake 
was  covered  with  ice.  The  exact  position  of  each  of  these  sound- 
ings was  determined  from  known  shore  positions  by  measure- 
ments on  the  ice. 

It  is  believed  that  the  care  taken  at  all  times  while  carrying 
on  this  work,  the  great  number  of  soundings  taken,  and  the  fre- 
quent verification  of  questionable  results,  justify  the  belief  that 
the  hydrography  of  this  lake  has  been  pretty  accurately  deter- 
mined and  that  the  contour  lines  on  the  map  showing  the  depths 
may  be  depended  upon  as  showing  the  actual  depths  with  reason- 
able accuracy. 


42  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Tojoography  of  the  lake  bottom: — There  are  many  striking 
features  in  the  topography  of  the  lake  bottom ;  in  fact,  it  is  quite 
diversified  and  the  contour  Hnes,  as  may  be  seen  by  an  examina- 
tion of  the  map,  are  very  irregular  both  as  regards  direction  and 
spacing.  There  are  a  number  of  low  hills  and  plateaus  with  gentle 
slopes,  others  of  smaller  area  and  rising  abruptly  from  deep  water, 
numerous  long,  narrow  troughs  or  valleys  running  between  bars, 
and  a  number  of  holes  where  the  depth  over  a  limited  area  is 
noticeably  greater  than  in  the  surrounding  region.  Only  a  few  of 
the  more  salient  topographic  features  need  be  described  in  detail. 

The  Deep  Hole: — The  greatest  depth  known  in  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee is  89.5  feet.  The  locality  where  this  sounding  was  gotten 
is  knowai  as  the  "Deep  Hole".  It  is  about  midway  on  a  direct  line 
between  the  tip  of  Long  Point  and  the  J.  H.  Vajen  cottage,  a  short 
distance  north  of  the  Maxinkuckee  road.  It  is  also  on  a  direct 
line  drawn  from  the  Palmer  House  to  Overmyer's  spring  at  the 
south  end  of  the  lake.  Located  more  precisely,  its  center  is  3,426 
feet  (about  2/3  of  a  mile)  from  the  end  of  the  Maxinkuckee  road, 
3,140  feet  (nearly  2  3  of  a  mile)  from  the  end  of  Long  Point,  4,568 
feet  (or  about  5/6  of  a  mile)  from  the  Palmer  House,  and  8,000 
feet  (or  1.5  miles)  from  the  Overmyer  spring. 

This  so-called  "deep  hole",  in  which  the  depth  is  70  feet  or 
more,  is  quite  irregular  in  shape.  Its  greatest  length  lies  north 
and  south  and  is  about  2,500  feet;  about  1,000  feet  of  this,  how- 
ever, is  a  narrow  trough  (400  feet  wide)  of  70-foot  water  extend- 
ing northward  from  the  main  body.  The  average  width  of  the 
main  part  is  between  700  and  800  feet.  The  total  area  of  70-foot 
water  and  over  is  close  to  40  acres. 

The  Sugarloaf: — At  the  northern  edge  of  the  main  body  of 
deep  M'ater  is  a  small  area  (about  100  feet  long  by  75  feet  wide) 
known  as  the  "Sugarloaf".  over  which  the  depth  is  but  10  feet. 
The  sides  of  this  little  hill  are  very  steep,  the  distance  to  40-foot 
water  in  any  direction  being  only  50  to  100  feet. 

The  Sugarloaf  is  on  a  direct  line  from  the  end  of  Long- 
Point  to  the  Indiana  Boathouse  and  almost  midway  between  the 
two  points.  It  is  also  on  a  direct  line  drawn  from  the  Maxin- 
kuckee road  to  the  tabernacle  in  the  Assembly  grounds ;  also  be- 
tween the  Lake-view  Hotel  and  Norris's  pier ;  also  between  the  depot 
pier  at  Culver  and  the  Indianapolis  pier. 

The  Weedpatch: — This  is  an  east-and-west  bar  about  1,200  feet 
long  and  500  feet  wide,  on  a  direct  line  between  the  Arlington 
Hotel  and  Van  Schoiack's  place  and  just  midway  between  these 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


43 


two  points.  A  line  drawn  from  the  Palmer  House  to  the  mouth 
of  Overmyer's  brook  passes  over  the  east  end  of  the  Weedpatch ; 
one  from  the  Lakeview  Hotel  to  the  same  point  passes  over  the 
west  end  of  it ;  and  a  line  from  the  tip  of  Long  Point  to  the  Chan- 
dler cottage  passes  over  the  center  of  the  Weedpatch. 

This  bar  rises  rather  abruptly  from  40-foot  water,  the  mini- 
mum depth  on  the  bar  being  about  10  feet,  of  which  there  is  an 
area  of  about  4  acres. 

The  Weedpatch  is  remarkable  because  of  the  very  luxuriant 
growth  of  the  large-leaved  pondweed,  Potamogeton  amplifolius, 
found  there. 

The  Kettlehole: — This  is  a  deep  hole  about  1,000  feet  off  the 
shore  between  Murray's  and  Farrar's,  in  the  southwestern  corner  of 
the  lake.  Over  the  greater  part  of  this  portion  of  the  lake  the  depth 
is  less  than  10  feet.  At  the  Kettlehole  the  depth  increases  rather 
abruptly  to  20  feet,  30  feet,  and  then  to  40  feet.  The  area  over 
which  the  depth  is  20  feet  or  more  is  ovoid  in  shape,  the  major 
axis  being  about  1,000  feet,  east  and  west,  while  the  north  and 
south  line  is  about  700  feet.  The  area  of  40-foot  water  is  about 
600  feet  long  (from  east  to  west)  and  not  much  over  100  feet  wide. 

While  the  above  are  the  only  topographic  features  of  the  lake 
bottom  which  have  received  definite  names  there  are  several  others 
worthy  of  special  mention.  Among  deep  holes  are  the  following: 
In  front  of  the  Arlington  Hotel,  or  little  south  of  it,  and  about 
1,200  feet  off  shore  is  an  oblong  area  of  60-foot  water,  about  1,000 
feet  long  from  southwest  to  northeast,  and  about  200  feet  wide. 
This  is  surrounded  by  much  shallower  water.     A  short  distance 


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The   Cadets    of   the    Culver    Summer    Cavahy    School    occasionally    take   their    horses   along    for   the   afternwm    swim. 


44  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

east  of  this  are  two  smaller  deep  holes,  of  50  feet  and  60  feet  re- 
spectively, and  between  them  and  the  Deep  Hole  is  another  with 
a  depth  of  70  feet. 

While  that  portion  of  the  lake  north  of  Long  Point  is  mostly- 
shallow,  there  are  in  it  a  few  deeper  areas.  About  1,200  feet 
north  from  Long-  Point  is  a  hole  35  feet  deep.  Just  off  the  Assem- 
bly grounds  is  a  small  20-foot  hole ;  off  Winfield's  cottage  is  a  45- 
foot  hole,  while  some  distance  farther  out  and  1,400  feet  south- 
east from  the  Lake  view  Hotel  is  another  of  about  the  same  depth. 
Northeast  from  the  Sugarloaf  are  3  or  4  small  areas  in  which 
the  depth  reaches  50  to  70  feet. 

Among  bars  of  special  interest  are  the  following:  Just  east 
of  the  Deep  Hole  and  the  Sugarloaf  is  a  considerable  bar  rising 
out  of  deep  water  and  extending  northeast  and  southwest  on  which 
the  minimum  depth  is  less  than  10  feet.  North  of  it  some  1,300 
feet  is  another  small  bar  with  a  depth  of  20  feet. 

A  long,  narrow  bar  extends  north  and  east  from  Long  Point 
for  nearly  2,500  feet  before  the  depth  exceeds  10  feet,  and  a  sim- 
ilar but  broader  bar  extends  west  from  the  mouth  of  Aubeenaubee 
Creek  nearly  3,000  feet  before  a  greater  depth  than  10  feet  is 
reached.  On  the  other  hand,  a  deep,  broad  trough  of  30  to  50-foot 
water  comes  from  a  little  north  of  west  to  near  shore  at  the  mouth 
of  Aubeenaubee  Creek,  and  a  similar  trough  is  found  off  the  Arling- 
ton Hotel,  and  another  off  the  Indiana  Boathouse. 

There  is  no  deep  water  at  the  shore  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee ;  the 
depth  everywhere  increases  from  shore  so  gently  or  gradually  that 
there  is  scarcely  any  probability  of  even  a  small  child  ever  getting 
beyond  his  depth  when  wading  in  the  lake.  There  are  no  sudden 
irregularities  or  increases  in  depth;  the  increase  in  depth  is  so 
uniform  and  gentle  that  several  steps  would  be  necessary  to  make 
any  appreciable  difference.  Small  children  can  therefore  wade 
about  along  shore  with  perfect  safety.  But  beyond  the  5-foot  con- 
tour line  the  irregularities  are  greater  and  well-marked. 

If  the  water  level  of  the  lake  were  lowered  10  feet,  the  result 
would  be  the  formation  of  at  least  3  islands  (Weedpatch,  Sugar- 
loaf  and  the  large  bar  east  of  Sugarloaf).  At  the  same  time 
the  Kettlehole  would  become  detached  from  the  main  lake  and 
become  a  small  independent  lake.  Another  small  lake  would  be 
formed  north  of  Long  Point;  another  would  be  formed  off  the 
Assembly  grounds,  and  perhaps  others  would  be  made. 

The  peculiar  distribution  of  deeps  and  shallows,  the  abundance 
of  shallow  bars  and  deep  holes  closely  associated,  taken  together 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  45 

with  the  favorable  character  of  the  bottom,  present  a  combination 
of  conditions  remarkably  favorable  to  fish  life,  and  distributed  in 
such  a  way  as  to  make  practically  every  part  of  the  lake  attractive 
to  the  angler. 

The  very  gradual  slope  and  absence  of  stepoffs  in  the  shallower 
portion  of  the  lake  near  shore  which  make  the  lake  so  admirable 
as  a  bathing  resort  is  due  in  large  measure  to  the  waves,  and  espe- 
cially the  undertow  which  rolls  the  fine  sand  near  the  shore  dowii 
to  lower  levels  and  thus  produces  a  marked  levelling  action.  The 
effect  of  waves  upon  bottom  topography  is  quite  marked  and  well- 
formed  ripple  marks  which  are  formed  in  water  to  a  depth  of  5 
feet  or  more  are  often  left  when  the  lake  freezes  over,  where  they 
remain  until  spring  and  can  be  observed  to  an  advantage  through 
the  clear  ice. 

The  depths  at  10-foot  intervals  are  shown  by  the  contour  lines 
on  the  map  which  accompanies  this  report.  Most  of  the  topo- 
graphic features  mentioned  are  indicated  on  the  map. 

The  Lake  Bottom 
Soils 

So  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  determine,  there  is  no  bedrock 
anywhere  on  the  bottom  of  the  lake.  Several  hundred  tests  in 
different  parts  of  the  lake,  and  the  fact  that  wells  about  the  lake 
drilled  to  depths  of  100  to  150  feet  pass  through  only  sand,  gravel 
and  clay  without  reaching  bedrock,  indicate  that  the  original  bed 
of  the  lake  was  composed  wholly  of  morainic  materials,  chiefly 
sand  and  gravel  with  a  few  boulders  and  some  boulder  clay.  Over 
the  greater  part  of  the  original  bed  has  been  deposited  a  more  or 
less  thick  coating  of  marl  and  mud. 

The  morainic  or  drift  material  of  the  original  bed  is  composed 
essentially  of  the  same  materials  as  those  that  make  up  the  drift 
of  the  surrounding  land. 

Sand: — Along  most  portions  of  the  shore,  particularly  on  the 
west,  north  and  southeast,  there  is  considerable  compact  fine  sand 
out  to  a  depth  of  2  to  6  or  8  feet. 

Gravel: — On  the  east,  and  in  limited  stretches  elsewhere,  there 
is  mixed  with  the  sand  considerable  gravel  .  This  is  especially  true 
on  the  north  and  east  sides.  This  gravel  ranges  from  very  fine, 
almost  sand,  to  rather  coarse.  The  most  conspicuous  gravel  areas 
are  across  the  north  end  from  the  Lakeview  Hotel  eastward,  and  off 
the  east  shore,  particularly  near  the  Indiana  Boathouse.    There  is  a 


46  Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

little  gravel  along  the  east  side  of  Long  Point,  and  between  the 
Kettlehole  and  the  shore.  The  Sugarloaf  appears  to  be  made  up 
largely  of  gravel.  Dredging  on  the  north  and  south  sides  of  it  re- 
vealed considerable  gravel  ranging  up  to  the  size  of  hen  eggs.  This 
gravel  was  usually  not  round  but  rough  and  angular.  Doubtless 
there  is  much  gravel  in  the  lake  bed  that  is  not  apparent,  it  is  so 
mixed  with  or  covered  by  sand  or  other  fine  material. 

Boulders: — There  are  not  many  boulders  on  the  lake  bottom. 
There  are  a  few  on  the  north  end  and  a  few  scattered  ones  on  the 
east  side  and  south  end.  The  more  or  less  mythical  "split-rock", 
of  which  some  of  the  older  fishermen  and  boatmen  speak,  is  said 
to  be  somewhere  in  the  south  end  of  the  lake,  perhaps  near  the 
Flatiron  or  the  Weedpatch  bars.  Although  we  made  frequent 
search  for  this  alleged  rock,  and  asked  many  people  about  it,  we 
never  succeeded  in  finding  it,  or,  in  fact,  in  finding  but  two  men 
who  claim  to  have  seen  it.  It  must  therefore  remain  as  one  of  the 
mysteries  of  Maxinkuckee. 

Marl: — The  most  interesting  and  important  component  of  the 
lake-bed  is  marl.  The  hard  compact  sandy  bed  usually  extends 
out  to  a  depth  of  but  a  few  feet — on  the  west  side  from  2  to  4 
feet,  on  the  east  to  a  somewhat  greater  depth.  Beyond  this  border 
of  hard  bottom  the  marl  begins.  The  depth  to  which  it  extends 
varies  considerably.  Off  Long  Point  it  is  first  met  in  water  about 
2  feet  deep.  On  the  north  and  east  the  depth  is  usually  greater, 
and  in  some  places  is  as  much  as  6  to  8  feet.  From  these  depths 
the  marl  extends  inward  and  covers  practically  all  the  lake  bed. 
It  is  most  evident  on  the  bars,  but  is  present  everywhere.  The 
thickness  of  the  marl  bed  varies  considerably.  Along  the  outer 
edge  it  probably  nowhere  exceeds  6  or  8  feet  in  thickness.  In 
deeper  water  and  on  the  bars  it  is  probably  thicker.  The  greatest 
thickness  determined  by  us  was  about  22  feet  which  was  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  lake,  off  the  Gravelpit.  The  color  and  purity 
of  the  marl  seem  to  vary  in  different  parts  of  the  lake.  It  appears 
to  be  composed  chiefly  of  calcium  carbonate  mixed  with  more  or 
less  decaying  vegetable  matter  and  fine  sand  of  aeolian  origin. 
Samples  from  the  surface  are  usually  quite  dark;  those  from 
deeper  in  the  bed  are  much  lighter  in  color.  The  color  and  purity 
are  doubtless  related  to  the  amount  of  decaying  vegetable  matter 
present.  Analyses  of  several  examples  of  marl  from  different 
parts  of  the  lake  were  made  by  Dr.  Wm.  A.  Noyes,  formerly  of 
the  Rose  Polytechnic  Institute,  now  of  the  University  of  Illinois, 
with  the  following  results: 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  47 

Sample  No.  1,  from  a  bar  east  of  the  Long-  Point  bar,  just 
south  of  the  center  of  the  northeast  quarter  of  Section  28 : 

Calcium  carbonate  (CaCOa) 85.02 

Magnesium  carbonate  (MgCOs) 3.85 

Ferric  oxide    (Fe^-Os) 0.33 

•  Alumina    ( AUOa)    0 .  12 

Calcium  sulphate   (CaSO,) 0.17 

Insoluble  inorganic  matter   (silica,  etc.) 5.67 

Organic  matter   3 .  21 


98.37 

Sample  No.  2,  taken  5  feet  down  in  a  bed  in  8-foot  water: 

Calcium  carbonate  (CaCOs) 85.38 

Magnesium  carbonate    (MgCOs) 3.50 

Ferric  oxide   (FeiOs) 0.33 

Alumina   ( AI2O3) 0 .  05 

Calcium  sulphate   (CaSd) 0 .  17 

Insoluble  inorganic  matter   (silica,  etc.) 6.40 

Organic  matter    3.15 


98.98 


Sample  No.  3,  from  the  surface  of  a  marl  bed  in  deep  water 
off  the  Gravelpit : 

Calcium  carbonate   (CaCOs) 75.07 

Magnesium  carbonate    (MgCOs) 4.18 

Ferric  oxide    (Fe203) 0.51 

Alumina    (AUO^) 0.09 

Calcium  sulphate   (CaS04) 0.11 

Insoluble  inorganic  matter   (silica,  etc.) 15.26 

Organic  matter   3 .  65 


98.87 


The  last  of  these  shows  too  high  a  percentage  of  magnesium 
carbonate  and  insoluble  elements  to  render  it  satisfactory  in 
cement  making.  The  first  and  second  samples  are  much  purer, 
and  would  make  a  good  cement. 

The  origin  of  marl  is  a  question  of  popular  interest.  The  marl 
of  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  as  well  as  of  the  other  lakes  of  northern 
Indiana,  is  evidently  a  secondary  deposit  on  the  original  bed  of 
glacial  drift.  The  water  of  all  the  wells  and  springs  of  the  region 
contains  more  or  less  lime  and  is  usually  regarded  as  hard,  while 
the  water  of  the  lake,  although  containing  considerable  calcium 
carbonate,  is  relatively  soft.  That  certain  species  of  animals  and 
plants  dwelling  in  the  lake  have  been  important,  perhaps  the  only 


4—17618 


48  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

important,  agents  in  separating  the  lime  from  the  water,  is  quite 
certain.  Chief  among  these  agencies  are  the  various  molhisks, 
especially  the  Unionidse  and  Vivipara  contectoides,  and  certain 
plants,  such  as  the  Charas  and  Potamogetons.  These  have  the 
power  of  separating  out  from  the  water  the  soluble  calcic  com- 
pounds and  converting  them  into  insoluble  compounds  which  con- 
stitute the  basis  of  the  marl. 

The  most  abundant  and  most  widely  distributed  mollusk  in 
the  lake  is  the  univalve,  Vivipara  contectoides.  This  rather  hand- 
some and  beautifully  marked  shell  occurs  throughout  the  lake, 
apparently  at  all  depths  and  on  all  kinds  of  bottom,  but  it  is  most 
noticeable  in  the  great  windrows  of  dead  shells  that  are  so  often 
seen  lining  the  beach,  particularly  at  low  water.  These  mollusks 
evidently  die  by  the  million  every  year.  Their  shells  are  fragile 
and  disintegrate  rapidly.  The  total  annual  limy  accumulation  on 
the  lake  bottom  from  this  source  alone  must  be  quite  considerable. 

Next  to  Vivipara  contectoides  is  the  species  of  mussel  known  as 
fat  pocket-book,  Lampsilis  luteola.  As  set  forth  elsewhere  in  this 
report,  this  is  the  most  abundant  species  of  freshwater  mussel  in 
the  lake.  It  is  pretty  generally  distributed  and  is  very  abundant. 
There  are  several  very  extensive  beds,  particularly  off  Long  Point 
and  in  the  south  end  of  the  lake.  Then  there  are  at  least  13  other 
species  of  mussels  and  no  fewer  than  30  or  40  species  of  gastero- 
pods,  some  of  them  represented  by  myriads  of  individuals.  Be- 
sides such  of  the  mussels  as  naturally  die,  the  muskrats  make 
considerable  onslaughts  upon  them,  leaving  their  shells  strewn 
over  the  bottom  to  decay,  and  millions  of  the  gasteropods  die  every 
year,  and  their  decaying  shells  go  to  augment  the  lime  deposited 
in  the  bottom  of  the  lake.  And  there  are  several  species  of  plants 
which  have  the  power  of  separating  the  lime  from  the  water.  The 
most  notable  of  these  are  the  various  species  of  Chara,  some  of 
which  are  so  heavily  encrusted  in  lime  that  when  dried  out  on  shore 
they  become  a  chalky  brittle  mass  and  are  accordingly  known  among 
fish-culturists  as  "lime-plants".  These  grow  in  depths  up  to  15 
or  20  feet,  and  most  of  the  plants  grow  in  thick  carpets  on  the 
bottom,  the  older  portions  becoming  so  thickly  encrusted  that  they 
are  hardly  recognizable. 

Besides  the  Charas  there  are  not  fewer  than  14  species  of  pond- 
weed  or  Potamogeton,  all  of  which,  in  varying  degrees  are  lime 
gatherers.  Their  leaves,  particularly  those  of  Potamogeton  ampli- 
folius,  P.  compressus,  P.  robbinsii  and  P.  americanus,  are  often 
encrusted  with  lime,  the  first  mentioned  species  so  heavily  that  the 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  49 

leaf  coatings  often  drop  off  as  casts  and  are  to  be  found  lying 
heaped  up  about  the  bases  of  the  plants.  The  so-called  ditch-moss, 
Philotria,  is  an  energetic  lime  gatherer;  indeed,  all  the  other  sub- 
mersed plants  in  the  lake  possess  this  same  property  and  contribute 
in  the  aggregate  in  no  inconsiderable  degree  to  the  amount  of  marl 
in  the  bottom  of  the  lake. 

In  addition  to  the  mollusks  and  plants  there  are  still  other 
organisms  which  play  a  part  in  the  formation  of  marl;  among 
these  are  the  various  species  of  crustaceans,  particularly  the  craw- 
fishes, whose  shells  contain  calcic  compounds. 

The  rate  of  deposition  of  lime  in  the  lake  is  quite  difficult  to 
estim.ate.  It  was  probably  more  rapid  during  the  early  life  of 
the  lake  when  the  amount  of  calcium  carbonate  in  the  water  was 
greater  than  it  now  is.  Even  at  best  the  rate  must  be  very  slow, 
indeed.  An  annual  deposit  of  one-hundredth  of  an  inch  has  been 
estimated.  A  deposit  of  10  feet  would  therefore  require  12,000 
years  as  the  age  of  the  lake.  But  this  is  scarcely  more  than  a 
mere  guess,  and  signifies  very  little. 

The  Lake  Level 

Stage  of  water: — The  mean  elevation  of  the  surface  of  the 
water  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee  above  sea  level  at  Biloxi,  Mississippi, 
is  734.5  feet.  Records  kept  by  the  Office  of  Engineer,  Maintenance 
of  Way,  of  the  Terre  Haute  and  Logansport  Railway  Company, 
from  October  18,  1895,  to  May  7,  1900,  totaling  about  50  observa- 
tions, show  that  the  lowest  water  in  that  period  occurred  on  Octo- 
ber 18,  1895,  when  it  stood  at  733.30  feet.  The  highest,  735.21 
feet,  was  recorded  March  13,  1899.  The  extreme  variation  was 
therefore  1.91  feet  or  22.92  inches. 

Our  party  began  making  observations  on  the  stage  of  the  water 
in  the  lake  on  August  14,  1900.  On  that  date  a  three-foot  rule, 
graduated  to  inches,  was  properly  installed  at  the  side  of  the 
wagon  bridge  which  crosses  the  Outlet  just  as  it  leaves  the  lake. 
The  position  of  this  gauge  was  correlated  with  that  of  the  up- 
stream girder  of  the  railroad  bridge,  which  crosses  the  Outlet  27 
feet  below  the  wagon  bridge.  Readings  were  taken  from  time  to 
time  from  that  date  up  to  October  22,  1913.  The  lowest  water  was 
recorded  November  3,  1908,  and  the  highest  July  8,  1902. 

Starting  with  the  extreme  low  water  of  November  3,  1908,  as 
"zero"  and  reducing  all  observations  to  that  basis,  we  have  the 
following  table: 


50 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


TABLE  SHOWING  STAGE  OF  WATER  IN  INCHES  ABOVE  EXTREME  LOW  WATER  MARK  IN 

LAKE  MAXINKUCKEE. 


Height  in  inches 

Date 

above  extreme  low- 
water  mark 

Remarks 

1900 

August 

14 

20.25 

20 

22.25 

Lake  rose  2  inches.     Heavy  rain  yesterday. 

27 

22.00 

September  13 

19.00 

17 

18.00 

21 

17.50 

28 

17.25 

October 

10 

16.75 

18 

15.50 

24 

14  75 

November   5 

14.00 

11 

14.00 

15 

13.25 

17 

14.25 

Rained  all  night  of  the  17th.     S.  E.  wind.      Heavy  rain  on  the  ISth.day 
and  night,  with  S.  wind.  ^Rain  also  on  19th. 

25 

18.75 

27 

18.50 

29 

19.50 

December 

9 

18.50 

6 

18.00 

9 

17.75 

11 

18.00 

1901 

August 

13 

10.75 

1902 

January 

27 

Lake  very  low. 

June 

30 

26.50 

A  good  deal  of  rain  last  night.     N._E.  wind. 

July 

1 

27.00 

1 

27.25 

2 

27.00 

2 

28.00 

3 

28.25 

7 

27.50 

Heavy  and  almost  continuous  rain  for  more  than  a  week. 

7 

28.25 

8 

28.50 

Highest  water  yet  recorded. 

17 

24.50 

20 

26  50 

Rain 

24 

24. 50 

27 

23  50 

Rain. 

28 

25.75 

August 

11 

22.50 

13 

21.50 

Rain. 

16 

21.00 

19 

20.50 

24 

19.50 

30 

17.00 

31 

19.00 

Rain. 

September   5 

18.50 

14 

19  50 

21 

17.00 

22 

17.00 

28 

19.00 

Rain  four  days 

October 

16 

17.00 

— '    

20 

17.25 

November    1 

15.75 

30 

14  00 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


51 


TABLE  SHOWING  STAGE  OF  WATER  IN  INCHES  ABOVE  EXTREME   LOW  WATER  MARK  IX 

LAKE   MAXINKUCKEE— Continued, 


Height  in  inches 

Date 

iiljove  extreme  low 
water  mark 

1902 

December 

9 

12.50 

20 

17.00 

21 

17.50 

1903 

February 

1 

15  50 

4 

17,50 

14 

19.50 

26 

18.00 

27 

19.50 

March 

1 

20.50 

8 

21.00 

9 

21.50 

14 

20  00 

17 

19,50 

29 

10  50 

April 

16 

21.50 

May 

1 

20  50 

10 

16.50 

13 

15,50 

17 

15  00 

20 

14  50 

June 

7 

16.50 

29 

13.50 

July 

1 

13.00 

2 

21.00 

3 

21.50 

4 

22.25 

11 

21.50 

16 

20  50 

19 

22  75 

August 

8 

19.25 

26 

16  00 

September  16 

23,50 

17 

24  25 

26 

22  00 

October 

22 

22  00 

1901 

June 

18 

12  25 

July 

4 

11  25 

August 

1 

6  25 

October 

18 

8.50 

29 

8.25 

31 

8.25 

November  3 

7.00 

12 

8.50 

1906 

January 

22 

10  50 

August 

20 

October 

3  50 

1907 

September  12 

10  50 

21 

10.20 

October 

1 

9.00 

3 

9.50 

5 

9.50 

11 

9.50 

Remarks 


Exceedingly  heavy  rains. 
Heavy  rains. 


Screen  put  in  at  railroad  bridge,  raising  the  lake. 
Rain  for  several  days. 


Recently  rose  3  inches 
Lake  rose  P4  inches. 


52 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


TABLE  SHOWING  STAGE  OF  WATER  IN  INCHES  ABOVE  EXTREME  LOW  WATER  MARK  IN 

LAKE   MAXINKUCKEE— Continued. 


Height  in  inches 

Date 

above  extreme  low 
water  mark 

Remarks 

1907 

October      14 

8,50 

15 

9.50 

24 

9.50 

25 

9.50 

30 

9.50 

November  2 

10.00 

1908 

October        1 

Very  low. 

November  3 

0.00 

Lowest  wafer  yet  recorded. 

1911 

November  18 

8.50 

1913 

September  9 

7.50 

21 

7.00 

28 

6.00 

30 

6.50 

October        1 

6.80 

2 

7.00 

3 

7.00 

4 

6.50 

5 

6.50 

6 

6.75 

7 

6.50 

8 

6.75 

10 

6.75 

11 

7.00 

13 

7.00 

14 

6.75 

15 

6.50 

- 

16 

6.00 

19 

6.80 

20 

6.50 

22 

6.00 

As  shown  by  the  above  table,  the  water  was  continuously  and 
quite  uniformly  low  during  the  fall  of  1913.  There  were  no  rains 
sufficient  to  produce  any  effect  on  the  lake.  The  slight  variation 
of  an  inch  in  September  and  October  was  doubtless  due  to  winds. 
A  southwest  wind  continuing  for  any  length  of  time  would  blow 
the  water  back  from  the  Outlet,  thus  slightly  lowering  the  water 
at  the  gauge,  while  a  northeast  wind  would  blow  the  water  into 
Outlet  Bay  and  slightly  increase  the  depth  at  the  Outlet. 

It  will  be  observed  that  our  observations  were  not  taken  at 
regular  intervals.  They  were  usually  taken  whenever  we  were 
at  the  lake  and  occasion  seemed  to  require ;  records  were  also  made 
from  time  to  time  by  Mr.  Chadwick,  especially  at  times  of  sudden 
change  and  of  unusually  high  or  low  water.     It  is  believed  that 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  53 

the  extremes  for  the  period  from  1899  to  1914  have  been  recorded 
in  the  table. 

Although  the  catchment  basin  of  the  lake  is  small  (less  than 
8,000  acres)  the  lake  is  very  sensitive  to  rains  and  responds 
promptly.  Every  heavy  rain  causes  an  almost  immediate  rise  in 
the  lake.  High  water  will  therefore  be  correlated  with  heavy 
continued  rainfall  and  low  water  with  the  dry  season.  The  early 
spring  rains  and  melting  snows  put  the  lake  up  somewhat  above 
the  winter  conditions,  and  the  heavy  rains  that  usually  come  in 
June  and  early  July  produce  the  highest  water.  The  lake  is  there- 
fore apt  to  be  highest  in  June  and  July,  after  which  it  begins  to 
fall  until  minimum  low  water  is  reached  toward  the  last  of  Octo- 
ber and  early  in  November.  As  already  stated  the  lowest  water 
recorded  was  that  of  November  3,  1908,  and  the  highest  that  of 
July  8,  1902,  when  it  was  281/0  inches  above  extreme  low  water. 
This  extreme  high  water  of  28 V2  inches  followed  three  weeks  of 
heavy  and  almost  continuous  rains.  As  early  as  June  15  the  water 
was  higher  than  old  residents  about  the  lake  had  ever  seen  it.  It 
kept  on  rising  until  July  8.  The  ice-beach  on  the  west  and  south 
shores  was  entirely  covered;  it  was  impossible  to  walk  along  the 
beach  between  Long  Point  and  Arlington ;  the  swamps  were  full 
of  water  and  the  low  country  generally  flooded ;  nearly  all  the 
piers  were  under  water,  and  a  portion  of  the  public  road  near  the 
Outlet  was  flooded.  Green's  marsh  was  flooded  so  that  one  could 
go  about  all  over  it  in  a  boat.  One  old  resident  says  that  the  lake 
was  equally  high  in  June  or  July,  1896,  and  quite  high  in  May  and 
June,  1892. 

The  extreme  low  water  of  November  3,  1908,  followed  a  rather 
dry  summer  and  fall.  Our  records  show  very  little  rain  in  August, 
September  or  October  of  that  year. 

Volume  of  outflow: — The  volume  of  water  flowing  from  Lake 
Maxinkuckee  varies  greatly  from  time  to  time.  As  already  stated, 
at  times  of  high  water,  the  depth  at  the  bridge  is  3  to  3i/o  feet. 
The  current,  however,  is  never  strong,  and  does  not  vary  much. 
The  water  surface  in  the  two  lakes  varies  synchronously  and  the 
current  therefore  does  not  vary  greatly. 

Measurements  of  the  outflow  were  taken  at  various  times.  The 
results  are  recorded  in  the  following  table.  It  will  be  observed 
that  the  variation  in  number  of  gallons  is  considerable.  The  mini- 
mum, 1,168  gallons  per  minute,  was  recorded  on  September  25, 
1899,  at  which  time  the  average  width  was  15  feet,  the  depth  14.7 
inches  and  the  current  1.7  feet  per  second.  This  would  mean  an 
outflow  of  1,681,920  gallons  per  day.    The  greatest  volume  of  out- 


54  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

flow  was  recorded  July  8,  1902,  when  the  width  was  15  feet,  the 
depth  42.5  inches  and  the  current  1.4  feet  per  second.  This  indi- 
cated an  outflow  of  33,915  gallons  per  minute  or  4,883,184  gallons 
per  day. 

Number  of  gallons  flowing  out  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee  as  deter- 
mined on  various  dates: 

Aug.     8,  1899 4,424  gallons  per  minute 

"      11,  1899 2,576  gallons  per  minute 

"      27,  1899 3,347  gallons  per  minute 

Sept.    7,  1899 2,512  gallons  per  minute 

"      25,1899 1,168  gallons  per  minute 

July      1,  1902 32,288  gallons  per  minute 

8,  1902 33,915  gallons  per  minute 

Sept.  10,   1913 2,618  gallons  per  minute 

The  Outlet 

Lake  Maxinkuckee  drains  into  Lost  Lake  through  a  short  but 
very  interesting  little  stream  or  thoroughfare  known  locally  simply 
as  "The  Outlet."  This  stream  leaves  the  lake  at  the  north  side  of 
the  base  of  Long  Point  or  at  Outlet  Bay,  which  is  on  the  west  side 
about  one-third  the  distance  south  of  the  north  end  of  the  lake. 
Just  as  it  leaves  the  lake  it  is  crossed  by  the  wagon  bridge  on  the 
public  highway  which  follows  the  lake  shore  closely  from  the 
southwest  corner  of  the  lake  to  the  Arlington  station,  then  cuts 
across  the  base  of  the  broad  peninsula  known  as  Long  Point,  and 
again  approximating  the  shore  along  the  north  side  of  Long  Point, 
only  to  leave  it  again  immediately  after  crossing  the  Outlet. 
Twenty-seven  feet  below  the  wagon  bridge  the  Outlet  is  crossed 
by  the  Vandalia  Railroad  bridge.  Lender  and  between  these  two 
bridges  the  stream  flows  nearly  west,  then  turns  southwest  and 
south  through  the  marsh  until  it  finally  loses  itself  in  Lost  Lake. 

Under  the  bridges  and  for  a  few  yards  below,  the  stream  has 
a  maximum  width  of  16  to  20  feet  and  a  depth  varying  with  the 
stage  of  water  in  the  lake.  During  the  period  of  our  observations 
it  has  varied  from  about  6  inches  to  something  more  than  3  feet. 
Early  in  July,  1902,  at  the  time  of  highest  water,  the  depth  was 
about  31/2  feet  and  the  water  rushed  through  with  a  good  strong 
current.  In  September  and  October,  1913,  the  lake  was  quite  low, 
only  6  inches  above  extreme  low  water  mark,  and  the  depth  under 
the  bridges  was  only  6  inches  or  less,  which  made  it  very  difficult 
to  get  a  row  boat  through. 

The  bed  of  the  Outlet  at  the  bridges  is  of  fine  sand.  Formerly 
this   bed   was   overgrown   sparsely   with   certain   aquatic   plants, 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  55 

chiefly  wild  celery  (Vallisneria  spiralis)  and  floating  pond  weed 
(Potamogeton  americanns),  which  prevented  washing  and  gave  the 
bed  a  permanent  character.  In  August,  1913,  the  old  wooden 
wagon  bridge  was  torn  down  and  replaced  by  a  concrete  structure. 
In  the  work  incident  to  this  change  the  vegetation  was  destroyed 
and  the  bed  torn  up,  since  which  it  has  silted  up  with  clean  sand 
in  which  the  vegetation  has  not  yet  re-established  itself. 

The  distance  that  the  stream  pursues  through  the  marsh  below 
the  railroad  bridge  and  before  losing  itself  in  Lost  Lake  is  about 
1,500  feet.  Through  the  upper  part  the  course  has  been  dredged 
and  the  banks  are  well  defined;  but  lower  down,  the  banks  are 
scarcely  evident,  the  stream  widens  out  through  the  dense  growth 
of  Carex,  cattail,  bluejoint  grass,  etc.,  and  finally  loses  itself  com- 
pletely in  a  large  area  of  spatterdock  at  the  head  of  Lost  Lake. 

The  water  in  tlie  Outlet  is  always  very  clear.  The  current 
does  not  vary  much,  the  rate  being  about  the  same  whether  the 
water  be  high  or  low. 

Lost  Lake 

Lost  Lake,  on  a  cursory  examination,  might  be  regarded  merely 
as  an  expansion  of  the  Outlet,  but  such  is  not  the  case.  It  is  a 
real  lake  occupying  a  considerable  hole  probably  of  independent, 
though  synchronous,  origin  with  that  of  the  large  lake.  There  is 
considerable  evidence  to  show,  however,  that  the  high  sand  ridge 
separating  the  two  lakes  and  terminating  in  Long  Point  with  the 
long  shallow  bar  extending  out  into  Lake  Maxinkuckee  from  the 
tip  of  Long  Point,  is  largely  of  aeolian  origin,  built  up  in  part  at 
least  by  the  strong  southwest  winds. 

The  open  part  of  this  lake,  that  is,  the  part  not  obscured  by 
rank  vegetation,  is  about  2,500  feet  long  and  1,500  feet  wide,  the 
major  axis  or  length  extending  northeast  and  southwest.  On  the 
southeast  side  is  a  high  sandy  hill  or  ridge  heavily  timbered  over 
its  northern  half  and  a  cultivated  field  at  the  southern  end,  which 
slopes  gradually  down  to  the  lake.  The  shore  on  this  side  is  in 
most  places  a  few  feet  above  the  water  and  is  dry  and  firm.  There 
is  high  ground  at  the  northwest  comer  of  the  lake  and  for  most 
of  the  distance  along  the  southwest  side,  bordered  by  a  narrow 
strip  of  marsh  but  rising  rather  abruptly  into  a  high  sandy  ridge. 
At  the  upper  and  lower  ends  are  the  large  areas  of  lily-pads,  etc., 
already  mentioned. 

Lost  Lake  is  very  shallow.  Many  soundings  were  taken.  One 
line  of  soundings,  taken  every  10  oar  strokes,  from  the  Bardsley 


56  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

cottage  on  the  east  side  toward  the  north  end  of  Hawk's  house  on 
the  west  side,  gave  the  following  depths  in  feet:  2f,  4^,  5,  4,  Sf, 
3-J,  3,  3,  3f,  3^-,  and  1^.  The  greatest  depth  found  was  5  feet. 
The  bottom  everywhere  was  covered  with  a  dense  bed  of  Chara, 
patches  of  Potamogeton,  Myriophyllum,  etc.,  with  white  and  yel- 
low pond-lilies  at  the  west  end,  all  growing  in  deep  mud.  In  most 
places  the  sounding  pole  could  be  pushed  down  2  to  8  feet  in  soft 
muck. 

At  the  lower  end  of  the  lake  just  where  it  narrows,  the  depth 
varied  from  5  to  9  feet,  and  the  bottom  was  more  firm  in  some 
places.  A  little  farther  north  and  west  is  a  considerable  area  over 
which  the  depth  is  uniformly  9  feet,  which  is  the  greatest  depth 
found  in  this  lake.  A  line  run  from  the  lower  to  the  upper  end  of 
the  lake  gave  9  feet  along  the  southwest  end  and  8  to  4  feet  toward 
the  northeast.  Along  this  line  there  was  an  abundance  of  Chara, 
Myriophyllum,  etc.,  and  the  bottom  everywhere  was  of  very  soft 
muck;  in  fact,  the  bottom  everywhere  is  of  this  character  and  in 
some  places  it  is  so  thin  as  to  be  almost  impalpable. 

In  front  of  the  Bardsley  cottage  is  a  "floating  island",  probably 
a  detached  portion  of  a  pond-lily  patch  that  has  floated  away  from 
shore,  or  possibly  material  that  has  been  built  up  around  a  musk- 
rat  home. 

This  lake  is  so  shallow  that  a  lowering  of  the  water  15  feet 
would  convert  the  entire  lake-bed  and  many  acres  of  marsh  into 
tillable  land. 

The  margin  of  Lost  Lake  outlet  is  a  wide  plain  bordered  by 
a  gravelly  hill;  then  an  inner  margin  of  a  broad  belt  of  Bidens 
comosa  and  B.  laevis,  then  sedges.  Many  of  the  sedges  in  the 
former  portion  are  annually  cut  for  hay,  chiefly  for  the  Calamagros- 
tis  they  contain. 

Outlet  Creek 

At  the  lower  end  of  Lost  Lake  is  another  marsh  similar  to 
that  at  the  upper  end  but  larger,  in  which  the  outlet  stream  again 
gradually  becomes  definite  and  well  defined.  The  upper  portion 
may  be  regarded  practically  as  a  continuation  of  the  lake,  so  over- 
grown with  water-lilies,  spatterdock  and  other  water  plants  as  to 
obscure  its  lake  character  as  well  as  the  channel.  This  marsh- 
lake  gradually  narrows,  however,  and  finally  becomes  a  well-defined 
creek,  filled  in  places  with  patches  of  long-stemmed  Ceratophyl- 
lum,  Potamogeton,  and  some  wild  rice.  Then  the  stream  becomes 
a  quite  definitely  defined  creek  with  low  grass-grown  banks  pur- 
suing its  way  with  many  windings  and  turns  through  low  grassy 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  57 

meadows  dotted  here  and  there  with  clumps  of  slender  black  oak 
trees  growing  on  little  hummocks  which  were  doubtless  little  islands 
when  the  whole  region  was  a  lake  or  river.  The  stream  averages 
perhaps  5  feet  wide  and  one  to  three  feet  deep,  with  occasional 
holes  that  are  much  deeper.  The  banks  are  low  everywhere  and 
are  of  rich  black  loam ;  the  bed  is  usually  of  fine  white  sand,  with 
a  little  gravel  in  places.  The  water  is  always  very  clear  and  pure 
and  cold  enough  for  rainbow  and  black-spotted  trout. 

Although  the  distance  in  a  direct  line  from  Lost  Lake  to  the 
Tippecanoe  River  does  not  exceed  4  miles  the  sinuosities  of  the 
stream  increase  its  length  to  at  least  12  miles.  At  times  of  low 
water  it  is  difficult  to  get  a  boat  down  the  creek  to  the  river  but 
when  there  is  moderately  high  water  an  ordinary  clinker-built  row- 
boat  passes  through  nicely,  and  no  more  delightful  trip  can  be 
taken  than  that  through  the  outlet  from  Lake  Maxinkuckee  to  the 
Tippecanoe  River. 

METEOROLOGY 

Introduction 

The  remarkable  development  of  animal  and  plant  life  in  and 
about  Lake  Maxinkuckee  is  undoubtedly  due  in  large  measure  to 
the  unusually  favorable  geologic  and  climatic  conditions  of  the 
region  in  which  the  lake  is  situated.  The  geological  features  are 
discussed  elsewhere  in  this  report;  the  climate  may  be  considered 
here. 

The  cold  winters  and  the  warm  summers,  together  with  favor- 
able winds,  adequate  rainfall  advantageously  distributed  through- 
out the  year,  and  the  varying  conditions  of  sunshine  and  clouded 
sky,  make  up  an  environment  peculiarly  favorable  to  the  develop- 
ment and  maintenance  of  an  abundant  and  varied  flora  and  fauna. 
Many  correlations  between  certain  climatic  conditions,  such  as  tem- 
perature, direction  of  wind,  character  of  sky,  and  rains,  and  the 
habits  of  the  fishes,  turtles,  ducks,  coots,  certain  insects,  etc., 
readily  suggest  themselves  to  any  one  interested  in  such  problems 
and  a  number  of  them  can  be  demonstrated.  The  distribution  of 
the  fishes  in  the  lake,  with  reference  to  depth  and  nearness  to 
shore,  is  particularly  influenced  by  such  factors  as  those  men- 
tioned. This  fact  is  well  understood  by  the  experienced  anglers 
familiar  with  this  lake. 

During  the  investigations  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  considerable 
attention  was  given  to  meteorological  conditions.  Early  in  the 
work  arrangements  were  made  for  making  regular  observations 


58  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

regarding  the  more  important  meteorological  phenomena,  such  as 
the  temperature  of  the  air,  the  direction  and  strength  of  the  winds, 
the  character  of  the  sky,  rainfall,  snow,  fog,  frost,  dew,  storms,  etc. 

Our  first  records  of  air  temperatures  taken  at  the  lake  were 
made  in  November  and  December,  1898,  by  Mr.  S.  S.  Chadwick. 
These  records,  few  in  number,  were  of  the  readings  from  an  ordi- 
nary thermometer,  hung  about  6  feet  above  the  surface  of  the 
lake  on  the  north  side  of  a  house-boat  on  the  east  side  of  Long 
Point.  Following  these  are  a  few  records  for  January,  February 
and  March,  1899,  also  made  by  Mr.  Chadwick. 

On  July  5,  1899,  the  recording  of  temperatures  was  regularly 
begun  by  our  party  and  continued  without  serious  interruption 
until  July,  1901,  since  which  date  records  have  been  kept  for  vari- 
ous periods  from  then  to  the  end  of  1913. 

Sky 

Along  with  the  other  weather  observations  kept  at  the  lake, 
the  condition  of  the  sky  as  to  clearness  and  cloudiness  was  also 
recorded.  Generally,  the  condition  of  the  sky  was  noted  whenever 
temperatures  of  the  air  and  water  were  taken,  that  is,  three  times 
a  day.  In  addition  to  this,  however,  any  sudden  clearing  off  or 
clouding  up  that  was  observed  and  noted,  and  for  each  day's 
journal  was  entered  a  general  summary  of  the  day's  weather. 
The  state  of  the  sky  was  usually  written  out  in  considerable  de- 
tail; much  more  than  would  be  desirable  in  a  general  report.  In 
looking  over  the  records  it  was  observed  that  the  various  days 
could  be  described  as  clear,  cloudy  clearing,  clouding  and  partly 
clear,  and  partly  cloudy.  These  terms  are  generally  relative.  Days 
without  the  sign  of  a  cloud  are  not  very  frequent.  Days  without 
a  patch  of  blue  sky  anywhere  are  not  very  common,  but  more 
common  that  absolutely  cloudy  ones.  Accordingly,  by  days  with 
clear  sky  is  meant  days  when  clouds  were  relatively  few,  and  gen- 
erally speaking  such  days  are  very  bright  and  cheerful,  although 
absolutely  clear  days,  so  far  as  clouds  are  concerned,  may  be  hazy 
or  very  smoky,  and  relatively  dull,  while  days  entirely  overcast 
by  thin  clouds  may  be  fairly  bright.  The  terms  "clearing"  and 
"clouding"  are  self-explanatory.  Partly  cloudy  and  partly  clear 
mean,  of  course,  throughout  the  day  the  clouds  and  blue  sky  have 
so  evenly  balanced  that  neither  greatly  prevailed. 

During  the  period  from  November  2,  1899,  when  the  record 
begins,  to  September  17,  1908 — with  considerable  gaps  from  time 
to  time — the  state  of  the  sky  has  been  observed  for  1,223  days ;  of 


Lake  Maxinknckee,  Physical  ami  Biological  Survey 


59 


these,  393  were  clear,  530  cloudy,  151  clearing,  104  clouding  up  and 
49  about  evenly  balanced  between  cloudy  and  clear. 

In  a  discussion  elsewhere  of  the  conditions  of  the  sky  for  vari- 
ous months,  the  conditions  were  given  for  periods  of  observation, 
so  that  the  observations  along  that  line  could  fit  in  well  with  the 
temperature  records  taken  three  times  daily.  In  the  present  con- 
sideration they  are  given  by  days. 

Taking  the  year  extending  from  July  1,  1900,  to  June  30,  1901, 
the  year  for  which  the  i-ecord  is  most  complete,  there  are  repre- 
sented in  the  record  361  days  (4  days  in  December  having  no 
record).  Of  these  361  days  79  were  clear,  168  cloudy,  53  clearing, 
46  clouding,  and  15  partly  cloudy  and  partly  clear.  Taking  this 
year  by  months,  the  days  were  distributed  as  shown  by  the  fol- 
lowing table : 


CONDITION  OF  SKY  FOR  1  YEAR  FROM  JULY  1,  1900,  TO  JUNE  30.  1901 


Month 

Clear 

Cloudy 

Clearing 

Clouding 

Partly 

cloudy 

partly  clear 

Total 

July     1—31,   1900... 

14 
9 
9 

14 
6 
5 
3 
6 
1 
6 
0 
6 

7 
15 
12 
11 
14 
16 

16 
19 
13 

18 
9 

5 
3 
4 
1 
5 
5 
4 
5 
5 
5 
7 
4 

5 
1 
3 
2 

5 

1 
6 
1 
3 
6 
5 
8 

31 

Aug.    1—31,   1900  .. 
Sept.  1—30,   1900... 
Oct.    1—31,   1900... 
Nov.  1—30,   1900... 

3 
2 

3 

31 
30 
31 
30 

Dec.    1—27,   1900... 
Jan.     1—31,   lyOl... 

27 
31 

Feb.    1—28,   1901... 

28 

Mar.    1—31,   1901... 
April  1—30,   1901... 

3 

31 
30 

May    1—31,   1901... 
June    1—30,   1901.. 

1 
3 

31 
30 

Although  the  records  of  no  other  year  are  full  enough  to  make 
the  giving  of  the  full  year  satisfactory,  the  records  of  a  number 
of  months  are  almost  complete,  and  those  of  a  few  months  fully 
complete.  A  table  for  such  months  as  have  complete  records  is 
given  below  for  the  sake  of  comparison : 


Month 

Year 

Clear 

Cloudy 

Clearing 

Clouding 

Partly 

cloudy; 

partly  clear 

Total 

April 

February 

ISOO 
1902 
1902 
1902 
1P04 
1907 

14 
1.5 
11 
14 
5 
9 

6 
6 
14 
14 
17 
14 

6 
1 
6 
1 
4 
4 

4 
2 

30 

4 

28 
31 

April 

December 

October 

1 
2 
3 

30 

3 

1 

31 
31 

60  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

The  Air 

Pressure: — The  data  concerning  air  pressure  at  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee were  obtained  by  readings  taken  3  times  daily,  at  6  a.  m., 
noon,  and  6  p.  m.,  from  a  compensated  aneroid  barometer  kept 
hanging  on  a  porch  of  the  cottage  used  as  our  laboratory.  The 
readings  were  continued  from  July  25,  1900,  to  June,  1901.  The 
average  pressure  during  that  time  was  29.291  inches.  The  mini- 
mum pressure  recorded  during  that  period  was  28.62  inches,  taken 
at  noon  of  March  8,  1901,  and  the  highest  pressure  noted  was 
30.26  inches  on  January  3,  1901,  about  6  a.  m.,  giving  a  range  of 
1.64  inches.  A  self-recording  instrument  would  in  all  probability 
have  given  a  lower  minimum,  a  higher  maximum,  and  larger  range. 
The  average  pressure  did  not  vary  greatly  during  the  different 
months  of  the  year.  The  month  having  the  lowest  average  was 
October,  with  an  average  of  29.005,  and  that  having  the  highest 
was  February,  with  an  average  pressure  of  29.583.  The  month 
having  the  least  range  was  August,  in  which  the  pressure  varied 
from  29.42  to  29.85,  exhibiting  a  variation  of  .43  inch,  and  the 
month  showing  the  greatest  range  was  January,  with  a  range  of 
from  28.82  to  30.26,  or  1.44  difference.  The  greatest  change  of 
the  barometer  noted  within  the  space  of  6  hours  was  a  fall  of  .9 
inch  between  noon  and  6  p.  m.  on  May  2,  1901,  and  the  greatest 
change  in  the  same  direction  for  a  single  period  of  24  hours  was 
from  29.85  on  the  evening  of  September  14  to  28.88  on  the  even- 
ing of  September  15,  making  a  fall  of  .97  inch.  The  greatest 
increase  of  barometric  pressure  between  two  consecutive  observa- 
tions was  from  28.91  at  noon  of  May  21  to  29.77  at  6  p.  m.,  a 
rise  of  .86  inch,  and  this  was  followed  by  an  almost  equal  fall 
within  the  next  12  hours.  It  not  infrequently  happened,  espe- 
cially during  the  month  of  August,  1900,  that  2  successive  read- 
ings were  the  same,  or  nearly  the  same,  and  in  nearly  all  cases 
where  this  occurred  the  two  nearly  equal  or  equal  readings  were 
those  of  noon  and  evening,  there  being  usually  little  change  during 
the  afternoon.  The  period  of  24  hours  showing  the  least  change 
was  from  noon  August  14  to  noon  August  15,  during  which  the 
change  was  only  .08  inch. 

In  the  study  of  the  barometric  readings  at  the  lake  these  were 
plotted  in  a  graph  (the  time  periods  being  represented  by  abcissas 
and  the  height  of  the  barometer  in  inches  by  ordinates)  and  the 
graph  so  constructed  exhibited  at  a  glance  the  most  striking 
features  of  the  barometric  record.  Of  these  the  following  may  be 
noted : 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  61 

The  pressure  for  August,  1900,  was  remarkably  uniform,  the 
graph  for  this  month  standing  in  marked  contrast  with  all  the 
other  months  considered.  There  were  no  rapid  or  violent  changes 
whatever.  The  average  for  the  whole  month  is  just  a  trifle  below 
the  average  for  the  whole  period,  and  the  pressure  for  the  middle 
third  of  the  month  is  somewhat  lower  than  that  for  either  end. 
While  there  are  no  violent  changes  in  pressure  whatever  there  is 
a  remarkably  regular  daily  pulse  of  variations.  With  only  two 
exceptions  the  morning  reading  is  the  highest;  from  this  time 
there  is  a  fall  of  about  .16  inch  (varying  from  about  .09  to  ,2 
inch)  until  noon,  after  which  there  is  usually  very  slight  change 
toward  evening,  after  which  it  rises  back  to  nearly  its  original 
morning  reading.  We  have  then  for  this  month  a  rather  constant 
daily  mode.  This  mode  is  of  quite  frequent  occurrence  through- 
out the  whole  year,  and  there  are  all  degrees  of  approximation 
to  it  and  divergence  from  it ;  during  the  autumn,  winter  and  early 
spring  months  its  appearance  is  somewhat  less  frequent.  Rather 
strictly  interpreted,  this  mode  occurs  with  the  following  coefficient 
of  frequency  for  different  months:  August,  21;  September,  4; 
October,  13;  November,  5;  December,  2;  January,  2;  February, 
5;  March,  4;  April,  9;  and  May,  4. 

The  average  height  of  the  barometer  is  determined  by  the  alti- 
tude of  the  place,  and  the  great  barometric  changes  are  due  to 
the  passage  of  general  storm  centers.  The  small  daily  changes, 
however,  are  quite  probably  due  to  local  conditions,  and  even  the 
large  changes  are  due  to  conditions  which  are  represented  on  a 
small  scale  in  the  area  immediately  about  the  lake.  Among  these 
causes  are  difference  in  nature  of  the  surface  of  areas  of  land  and 
water  and  the  presence  in  the  atmosphere  of  clouds,  vapor,  dust, 
etc. 

Generally  speaking,  the  air  mass  over  a  water  area  is  com- 
paratively stable  in  relation  to  daily  changes  of  temperature,  while 
that  over  land  areas  is  subject  to  much  larger  changes.  We  have 
differences  somewhat  analagous  to  differences  of  potential  between 
different  elements  in  a  galvanic  cell.  The  air  above  the  land  sur- 
faces becomes  superheated  during  the  day  and  during  the  after- 
noon represents  areas  of  low  pressure,  while  the  air  mass  above 
them  becomes  cooled  during  the  night  and  becomes  areas  of  high 
pressure  during  the  latter  part  of  the  night. 

Again  taking  up  land  surfaces  in  detail,  these  differ  consider- 
ably among  themselves.  Large  areas  of  sand  have  a  greater  daily 
amplitude  of  temperature  than  areas  of  loam  or  muck,  and  these 
more  than  clay,  so  that,  continuing  the  analogy  of  the  galvanic 


62  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

cell,  we  have  a  greater  difference  of  potential  between  areas  of 
sand  than  between  muck,  loam  or  clay.  No  marked  tendency  is 
shown  to  congregate  in  the  vicinity  of  the  maximum. 

While  the  morning  readings  appear  to  have  a  pretty  distinct 
mode,  no  such  feature  is  apparent  in  the  other  two  readings, 
although  it  cannot  be  said  that  a  long  and  diligent  scrutiny  might 
not  yield  some  results.  For  the  month  of  August  they  are  usually 
close  together,  but  rather  indifferent  as  to  position,  although  in 
a  small  majority  of  cases  the  evening  reading  is  the  lower  and 
when  the  reverse  is  true  the  difference  is  usually  less.  On  several 
occasions  they  were  equal.  Of  22  observations  where  the  maxi- 
mum reading  was  not  represented  by  the  morning,  however,  15 
were  represented  by  evening  readings  and  7  by  morning,  so  there 
is  quite  discernible  a  tendency  for  these  readings  to  differentiate  in 
this  regard.  It  is  worthy  of  note,  too,  that  of  these  22  observa- 
tions, 7  (4  of  the  noon  and  3  of  the  evening)  represent  strong 
and  sudden  changes  in  the  barometer  at  the  time,  so  that  the  de- 
parture from  the  mode  may  be  explained  in  these  cases,  quite 
markedly  when  all  are  taken  together,  as  a  result  of  a  sort  of 
inertia  carrying  the  barometer  beyond  its  normal  reading,  and 
the  advantage  of  the  one  additional  abnormality  in  favor  of  the 
morning  reading  is,  taken  altogether,  of  almost  equal  value  in 
explaining  the  abnormality  there. 

Am  Temperatures 

During  the  investigations  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  considerable 
attention  was  given  to  air  temperatures. 

Beginning  with  July  5,  1899,  the  temperature  readings  were 
from  a  Wilder  protected  thermometer  which  had  been  tested  by 
the  U.  S.  Bureau  of  Standards.  This  thermometer,  from  July  5, 
1899,  to  May  31,  1901,  was  hung  about  10  feet  above  the  surface 
of  the  lake  on  the  shaded  side  of  a  cottage  near  the  Arlington 
station  on  the  west  side  of  the  lake.  After  May  31,  1901,  it  was 
hung  about  15  feet  above  the  surface  of  the  lake,  on  the  north 
side  of  the  Chadwick  House  on  Long  Point. 

Temperature  readings  were  usually  taken  three  times  daily,  at 
6  a.  m.,  noon,  and  6  p.  m.  During  the  year  1900-1901  a  set  of 
standardized  maximum  and  minimum  thermometers  was  installed 
on  the  shaded  side  of  the  cottage  at  Arlington  and  readings  from 
these  are  given  in  the  appropriate  accompanying  tables. 

The  temperature  observations  were  made  and  the  record  kept 
by  various  persons,  as  follows: 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  63 

Period.  Observer. 

November,  1898,  to  July  1,  1899 S.  S.  Chadwick 

July  5,  1899,  to  September  1,  1899 T.  Bronte  Evermann 

September  1  to  October  18,  1899 Barton  W.  Evermann 

October  18,  1899,  to  June  19,  1900 S.  S.  Chadwick 

June  19  to  July  15,  1900 J.  T.  Scovell 

July  15  to  December  11,  1900 Barton  W.  Evermann 

December  11,  1900,  to  May  31,  1901 H.  Walton  Clark 

December  8,  1901,  to  October  10,  1903 S.  S.  Chadwick 

October  18,  1904,  to  January  4,  1905 H.  Walton  Clark 

January  5,  1905,  to  July  22,  1906 S.  S.  Chadwick 

July  23,  1906,  to  October  24,  1906 H.  Walton  Clark 

October  25,  1906,  to  September  6,  1907 S.  S.  Chadwick 

September  7,  1907,  to  October  31,  1907 H.  Walton  Clark 

November  1,  1907,  to  August  26,  1908 S.  S.  Chadwick 

Aug-ust  27,  1908,  to  September  26,  1908 H.  Walton  Clark 

September  27,  1908,  to  August  31,  1913 S.  S.  Chadwick 

September  1,  1913,  to  October  31,  1913 Evermann  and  Clark 

November  1,  1913,  to  February  1,  1914 S.  S.  Chadwick 

January 

Temperatures: — The  total  number  of  records  for  January  is 
485,  as  follows:  5  for  1899;  93  for  1900,  1901,  1902,  1903  and 
1914  each ;  12  for  1905 ;  3  for  1906,  and  1  for  1907. 

The  lowest  temperature  recorded  for  this  month  was  — 12°  on 
the  27th  and  again  on  the  28th,  in  1902.  The  highest  was  65° 
on  January  20,  1906.    The  extremes  for  each  year  were  as  follows: 

1900,  -8°  January  31,  and  42.5°  January  18;  range  50.5°. 

1901,  -1.3°  January  1,  and  45°  January  21;  range  46.3°. 

1902,  -12°  January  27  and  28,  and  38°  January  2;  range  50°. 

1903,  -4°  January  12,  and  50°  January  29;  range  54°. 
1914,  4°  January  12,  and  56°  January  29;  range  52°. 

Records  of  temperatures  at  or  below  freezing  were  made  as 
follows :  In  1899,  at  6  a.  m.  on  the  8th,  29th,  30th  and  31st,  the 
only  dates  on  which  temperatures  were  recorded ;  in  1900,  at  6 
a.  m.  on  the  1st  to  4th,  both  inclusive;  8th,  9th,  11th,  12th,  13th, 
16th,  17th,  21st,  22d,  23d,  and  25th  to  31st,  both  inclusive,  and 
at  6  p.  m.  on  the  1st,  2d,  3d,  10th  to  13th,  both  inclusive;  16th, 
20th,  23d,  and  25th  to  31st,  both  inclusive. 

From  this  it  appears  that,  in  January,  1900,  the  temperature 
was  at  or  below  freezing  on  21  days  at  6  a.  m.,  at  noon  on  11 
days,  and  on  18  days  at  6  p.  m.  The  average  temperature  for 
the  month  is  shown  in  a  table  elsewhere  in  this  report  (page  70). 

In  1901,  freezing  temperatures  were  recorded  at  6  a.  m.  on  the 
1st  to  6th,  both  inclusive;  9th,  11th,  12th,  13th,  15th,  17th,  18th. 
19th,  and  22d  to  31st,  both  inclusive,  and  6  p.  m.  on  the  1st,  2d. 
3d,  5th,  7th,   11th,   12th,   13th,   16th  to  19th,  both  inclusive.     In 

5—17618 


64  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

other  words  in  January,  1901,  the  temperature  was  at  or  below 
freezing  at  6  a.  m.  on  24  days,  at  noon  on  17  days,  and  at  6  p.  m. 
on  20  days. 

In  1902,  freezing  temperatures  were  recorded  at  6  a.  m.  on  the 
1st,  3d  to  6th,  both  inclusive;  8th  to  17th,  both  inclusive;  19th 
to  25th,  both  inclusive,  and  27th  to  31st,  both  inclusive;  at  noon 
on  the  3d,  4th,  5th,  11th,  12th,  13th,  16th,  18th,  19th,  23d,  24th, 
25th,  and  27th  to  31st,  both  inclusive ;  at  6  p.  m.  on  the  1st  to  5th, 
both  inclusive;  10th  to  16th,  both  inclusive,  and  18th  to  31st,  both 
inclusive.  The  temperature  was  at  or  below  freezing  at  6  a.  m. 
on  27  days,  at  noon  on  17  days,  and  at  6  p.  m.  on  25  days. 

In  1903,  freezing  temperatures  were  recorded  at  6  a.  m.  on  the 
1st,  2d,  4th  to  26th,  30th  and  31st,  at  noon  on  the  4th  to  14th, 
17th,  18th,  19th,  21st  to  25th,  both  inclusive,  and  30th,  at  6  p.  m.  on 
the  1st,  3d  to  15th,  17th,  18th,  19th,  22d,  23d,  24th,  25th,  29th 
and  30th.  The  temperature  was  therefore  at  or  below  freezing  on 
27  days  at  6  a.  m.,  on  20  days  at  noon,  and  on  23  days  at  6  p.  m. 

In  1905,  we  have  records  for  only  the  first  4  days  of  January. 
On  the  2d,  the  temperature  was  below  freezing  at  noon  and  at  6 
p.  m,,  while  on  the  3d  and  4th  it  was  below  freezing  all  day. 

In  1914,  at  6  a.  m.  on  the  1st  to  8th,  both  inclusive,  10th  to 
14th,  both  inclusive;  17th,  18th,  19th,  21st,  22d,  23d,  25th,  26th, 
30th  and  31st;  at  noon  on  the  1st,  4th,  6th,  10th  to  13th,  both  in- 
clusive; 18th,  21st  to  25th,  both  inclusive,  30th  and  31st;  at  6 
p.m.  on  4th  to  7th,  both  inclusive,  10th,  11th,  12th,  13th,  18th,  23d, 
25th,  26th,  29th,  30th  and  31st;  or  at  or  below  freezing  at  6  a.m. 
on  22  days,  at  noon  on  15  days,  and  at  6  p.  m.  on  17  days. 

The  greatest  daily  range  in  January  was  as  follows : 

January  24,  1900,  from  33°  to  56.5°,  or  23.5°. 
January     2,  1901,  from  1.5°  to  24°,  or  22.5°. 
January  28,  1902,  from  -12°  to  10°,  or  22°. 
January     1,  1903,  from  16°  to  40°,  or  24°. 
January  29,  1914,  from  32°  to  56°,  or  24°. 

The  average  temperature  for  the  month  was  as  follows:  In 
1900,  24.2°  at  6  a.m.,  33°  at  noon,  and  29°  at  6  p.m.,  or 
28.7°  for  the  day;  in  1901,  23.8°  at  6  a.m.,  31.3°  at  noon,  29.2° 
at  6  p.  m.,  or  28.1°  for  the  day;  in  1902,  19.3°  at  6  a.  m.,  29.9°  at 
noon,  24.7°  at  6  p.m.,  or  24.6°  for  the  day;  in  1903,  22.1°  at  6 
a.m.,  31°  at  noon,  27.1°  at  6  p.m.,  or  26.7°  for  the  day;  in  1914, 
29.2°  at  6  a.m.,  34.4°  at  noon,  32.8°  at  6  p.m.,  or  32.1°  for  the 
day. 

Sky: — The  records  show  that  clear  and  cloudy  periods  in  Janu- 
ary, 1901,  were  about  equally  divided,  with  the  clear  periods  some- 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


65 


what  in  excess.  This  month  for  1901  was  markedly  cloudy,  the 
sky  being  obscured  about  f  of  the  time.  In  1902  it  was  again 
about  equally  divided  as  to  clearness  and  cloudiness,  with  only  1 
extra  period  in  favor  of  cloudiness.  In  1903  it  was  again  markedly 
cloudy.  Taking  the  entire  period  observed  under  consideration, 
there  are  almost  twice  as  many  cloudy  days  as  clear  ones.  In 
1914,  the  first  clear  day  was  on  the  8th;  the  next  two  cloudy,  the 
12th  very  clear;  13th,  15th  and  17th  clear;  14th,  16th,  18th,  and 
31st,  cloudy;  no  record  for  the  other  days. 

Winds: — North  and  east  winds  are  relatively  infrequent.  Winds 
from  other  directions  are  so  evenly  distributed  that  we  cannot 
speak  of  any  as  a  prevailing  wind.  Taking  the  period  as  a  whole, 
indeed,  the  southwest  winds  are  considerably  in  the  lead  of  the 
others  but  a  consideration  of  the  several  years  shows  that  on  some 
years  other  winds  predominate,  for  example,  the  west  winds  in 
1900  and  1901,  so  that  a  different  series  of  years  would  yield  some- 
what different  results.  The  southwest  winds,  especially  those  of 
winter  and  autumn  are  usually  chilling,  and  frequently  bring 
storms.  Calm  periods  were  fairly  common  in  1900.  The  January 
of  1901  was  unusually  calm,  the  calm  periods  being  considerably  in 
excess  of  any  wind  from  any  particular  direction  and,  indeed,  ag- 
gregating nearly  I  of  the  entire  month.  The  months  of  January, 
1902  and  1903,  were  unusually  boisterous,  no  periods  of  calm  being 
recorded  for  either. 

Snow: — Rainstorms  are  only  occasional,  3  or  4  for  the  month 
being  the  usual  number.  Snow  storms  are  more  frequent.  The 
unusual  number  of  23  were  reported  for  1901,  but  a  number  of 
these  were  rather  light  snow  flurries. 

In  1914,  there  was  snowing  all  day  on  the  2d,  snow  and  rain 
on  the  3d  and  4th,  rain  on  the  14th,  and  snow  all  day  on  the  18th 
and  31st. 

The  following  tables  represent  briefly  and  comprehensively  the 
weather  phenomena  for  January  during  the  periods  when  the  lake 
was  under  observation : 


Sky 

Winds 

Rain 

Snows 

Snow- 
fall in 
inches 

Year 

Clear 

Cloudy 

Calm 

N. 

N.E. 

E. 

S.E. 

S. 

S.W. 

W. 

N.W. 

1900 
1901 
1902 
1903 
1914 

17 
26 
16 
9 
14 

12 
69 
17 
22 
27 

5 

23 

0 

0 

1 
0 
1 

1 

3 
3 
5 
2 

2 
2 
0 
3 

6 

12 

4 

3 

2 
13 

7 

9 

14 

13 

9 

1 

11 

16 

1 

2 

6 

13 

9 

6 

4 
4 

3 
9 

3 

23 

5 

8 

14 

7 
7.5 

66 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  JANUARY,  1899 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

1 

0° 

8 

30° 

29 

—1.3 

30 

0 

31 

-9 

AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  JANUARY,  1900 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

0° 

18° 

10° 

9.3° 

2 

12 

28  . 

15 

18.3 

3 

10 

30 

22 

20.6 

4 

22 

37 

37 

32 

5 

38 

44 

37 

39.6 

6 

33 

40 

37 

36.6 

7 

42 

44 

40 

42 

8 

22 

34 

30 

28.6 

9 

25 

42 

42 

36.3 

10 

35 

36 

32 

34.3 

11 

30 

32 

31 

31 

12 

29 

31 

31 

30.3 

13 

30 

33 

32 

31.6 

14 

34 

38.5 

34 

35.5 

15 

34 

44 

40 

39.3 

16 

32 

33 

32 

32.3 

17 

31.5 

36 

39 

35.5 

18 

42.5 

46 

44 

44.1 

19 

40 

45 

49 

44  6 

20 

35 

40 

32 

35.6 

21 

21 

41  5 

34 

32.1 

22 

29 

43 

34 

35.3 

23 

31 

43  5 

32 

35.5 

24 

33 

56.5 

50 

46.5 

25 

27.5 

18.5 

13 

19.6 

26 

8.5 

20 

13 

13.8 

27 

13 

30 

32 

25 

28 

8 

8 

2  5 

6.1 

29 

0 

16 

18 

11.3 

30 

10 

13 

3 

8.6 

31 

—8 

0 

0 

—2.6 

Average 

24.2 

33.0 

29.0 

28.7 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Sitrvey 


67 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  JANUARY,  1901 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

Maximum 

Minimum 

1 

-13° 

16.1° 

7.9° 

7.6° 

16.9° 

-1.9° 

2 

1.5 

24 

17.9 

14.4 

24.6 

1. 

3 

6.5 

23.1 

23,5 

17.7 

27.6 

5.3 

4 

20,8 

39.9 

32.1 

30.9 

40.1 

16.5 

5 

25 

25.2 

25.8 

25.3 

29  9 

24.5 

6 

25 

38.9 

37.9 

33.9 

41.2 

21.5 

7 

34 

34 

32 

33.3      • 

39.2 

32 

8 

38.9 

47.9 

50 

45.6 

51.7 

31.5 

9 

31 

33 

33 

32.3 

39.1 

30.5 

10 

36.2 

35 

33 

34.7 

45.8 

32.1 

11 

31.5 

34 

31 

32.1 

33.9 

30 

12 

26.4 

33.7 

27 

27.3 

34.3 

24.4 

13 

24 

32 

31.7 

29.2 

33 

23.5 

14 

36  3 

42 

.39.8 

39.3 

44.7 

28.3 

15 

30  1 

44 

48.2 

40.8 

48.5 

29.1 

16 

34  9 

36 

31.9 

34.2 

51 

31 

17 

20  3 

20.7 

18.9 

19.9 

28.5 

18.3 

18 

10.1 

24.1 

25.1 

19.8    . 

25.6 

9.1 

19 

13.6 

19.5 

24.8 

19.3 

27.5 

13.1 

20 

34.7 

50.5 

48.5 

44.5 

54.9 

22.9 

21 

45 

42.7 

34 

40.5 

47.1 

33.6 

22 

24.8 

31 

32  5 

29.4 

34.8 

21  9 

23 

31 

35 

38.3 

33.7 

41 

27.9 

24 

28.5 

29.3 

20 

25.9 

41 

19.8 

25 

18.5 

23 

24.8 

22.1 

25.3 

14.5 

26 

24  5 

26.3 

27 

25.8 

27.5 

22.6 

27 

29.5 

28.9 

24.2 

27.5 

30 

23.9 

28 

20.3 

28 

21.5 

23.2 

28.1 

18.2 

29 

11.3 

22.1 

23.5 

18.9 

25.1 

5.3 

30 

20  5 

27 

15  1 

20.8 

29.7 

15 

31 

3  2 

24.5 

24  5 

17.4 

27.5 

-3  2 

Average 

23.7 

31.3 

29.2 

28.1 

68 


Lake  Maxinknckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  JANUARY,  1902 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

20° 

36° 

32° 

29.3° 

2 

38 

35 

26 

33 

3 

10 

20 

20 

16.6 

4 

12 

29 

26 

22.3 

5 

10 

29 

30 

23 

6 

23 

38 

38 

33 

7 

33 

40 

36 

36.3 

8 

30 

43 

34 

35.6 

9 

29 

48 

38 

38.3 

10 

29 

44 

32 

35 

11 

20 

26 

23 

23 

12 

19 

24 

20 

21 

13 

15 

22 

IS 

18.3 

14 

16 

33 

30 

26.3 

15 

18 

34 

32 

28 

16 

29 

29 

20 

26 

17 

17 

36 

40 

31 

18 

35 

30 

28 

31 

19 

14 

30 

29 

24.3 

20 

20 

40 

30 

30 

21 

28 

36 

29 

31 

22 

27 

35 

26 

29.3 

23 

28 

31 

27 

28.6 

24 

25 

32 

29   V 

28.6 

25 

21 

28 

32 

27 

26 

36 

40 

27 

34.3 

27 

—12 

0 

—8 

-6.6 

28 

—12 

10 

0 

-0.6 

29 

3 

6 

6 

5 

30 

6 

20 

11 

12.3 

31 

11 

24 

6 

13.6 

Average 

19.29 

29.94 

24  74 

24.6 

Lake  Maxinknckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


69 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  JANUARY,  1903 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

16° 

40° 

32° 

29.3° 

2 

30 

34 

34 

32.6 

3 

34 

34 

30 

32.6 

4 

26 

28 

26 

26.6 

5 

26 

32 

30 

29.3 

6 

13 

27 

21 

20.3 

7 

30 

25 

25 

26.6 

8 

17 

14 

10 

13.6 

9 

3 

15 

10 

9.3 

10 

1 

20 

15 

12 

11 

15 

19 

10 

14.6 

12 

—4 

7 

1 

1.3 

13 

2.5 

18 

17 

12.5 

14 

15 

25 

27 

22.3 

15 

27 

37 

30 

31,3 

16 

22 

40 

38 

33.3 

17 

28 

24 

23 

25 

18 

11 

20 

18 

16.3 

19 

15 

30 

20 

21.6 

20 

16 

40 

35 

30  3 

21 

28 

28 

22 

26 

22 

18 

32 

35 

28.3 

23 

20 

27 

23 

23.3 

24 

20 

28 

21 

23 

25 

22 

30 

28 

26.6 

26 

30 

50 

40 

40 

27 

39 

47 

40 

42 

28 

38 

43 

45 

42 

29 

50 

46 

22 

39.3 

30 

18 

22 

23 

21 

31 

28 

38 

39 

35 

Average 

21.11 

29.68 

25.48 

25.4 

AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  JANUARY,  1905 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

Ma.ximum 

Miniinuiu 

1 

36° 

50° 

42° 

42.6° 

50° 

35.1° 

2 

35 

28 

22 

28.3 

46 

22 

3 

9 

19 

17 

15 

25 

9 

4 

9 

24 

21 

18 

28 

6 

5 

23 

Average 

22.5 

30.3 

25.5 

26 

Air  Temperatures  for  January,  1906 

There  are  only  three  records  for  this  month,  all  at  6  a.  m.,  viz, 
January  20,  65° ;  21st,  60° ;  and  22d,  35°. 


70 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


Air  Temperatures  for  January,  1907 

There  are  only  two  records  for  this  month,  viz. :     January  19, 
60°  maximum,  and  January  20,  6°  at  6  a.m. 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  JANUARY,  1914 


D\TE 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Range 

Average 

1 

30° 

32° 

34° 

4° 

32     ° 

2 

30 

35 

33 

5 

32.7 

3 

31 

39 

36 

8 

35.3 

4 

30 

32 

32 

2 

31  3 

5 

27 

37 

32 

10 

32 

6 

29 

29 

29 

0 

29 

7 

29 

33 

30 

4 

30.7 

8 

29 

40 

37 

11 

35.3 

9 

38 

40 

36 

4 

38 

10 

26 

27 

25 

2 

26 

11 

18 

24 

20 

6 

20  7 

12 

14 

21 

15 

7 

16.7 

13 

14.5 

30 

28 

15.5 

24.2 

14 

26 

39 

40 

14 

35 

15 

35 

48 

42 

13 

41,7 

16 

35 

42 

37 

7 

38 

17 

30 

36 

34 

6 

33.3 

18 

30 

30 

32 

2 

30  7 

19 

32 

35 

37 

5 

34.7 

20 

36 

38 

34 

4 

36 

21 

18 

25 

33 

15 

25.3 

22 

19.5 

24 

35 

14,5 

26.2 

23 

25 

30 

31 

6 

28,7 

24 

33 

30 

34 

4 

32.7 

25 

25 

28 

30 

13 

27.7 

26 

30 

33 

31 

3 

31.3 

27 

38 

50 

45 

12 

44.3 

28 

40 

46 

42 

6 

42.7 

29 

56 

56 

32 

24 

48 

30 

26 

31 

30 

5 

29 

31 

25 

30 

30 

5 

28  3 

Average 

29.2 

34.4 

32.8 

32.1 

AVERAGE  AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  JANUARY 


Year 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

For  the  month 

1900 

24.2° 

33,0° 

29,0° 

28.7° 

1901 

23.8 

31.3 

29.2 

28.1 

1902 

19.3 

29.9 

24.7 

24.6 

1903 

21.1 

29.7 

25.5 

25.4 

1914 

29.2 

34  4 

32  8 

32  1 

For  five  years     . .    . 

23.5 

31.7 

28,2 

27  8 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


71 


February 

The  weather  conditions  for  February  during  the  time  when 
this  month  was  under  observation  are  given  in  brief  form  in  the 
following  table : 


Year 

Sky 

Winds 

Rains 

Rain- 
fall in 
inches 

Snows 

Snow- 
fall in 
inches 

Clear 

Cloudy 

Calm 

N. 

N.E.I  E. 

1 

S.E. 

S. 

s.w. 

W. 

N.W. 

1900 
1901 

20 
34 
20 
12 

10 
50 
11 

17 

1 

28 
0 
0 

2 
0 

1 
0 

4 
4 

7 
4 

1 
8 
2 
0 

8 
7 
2 
2 

4 
2 
5 
6 

1 

11 
5 

0 

6 
7 
0 
1 

9 

19 

6 

4 

5 

8 
14 

20.2 

1902 

1903 

7 

11  5 

7 

Sky: — February  of  1900  was  a  relatively  clear  bright  month, 
the  records  for  clearness  being  twice  those  for  cloudiness.  That 
month  for  1901  on  the  other  hand  was  considerably  more  gloomy, 
the  records  for  cloudiness  exceeding  those  for  clearness.  1902  was 
similar  to  1900  in  weather  conditions  prevailing  during  this  month, 
it  being  a  bright  cheerful  month,  while  in  1903  it  was  just  a  trifle 
more  frequently  cloudy  than  clear.  For  the  whole  period  of  the 
4  years  this  month  was  under  observation  there  is  a  remarkable 
balance  between  clear  and  cloudy  periods,  these  being  very  nearly 
equal,  the  total  number  of  clear  periods  being  exceeded  by  cloudy 
periods  by  only  2. 

Winds: — North  winds  are  the  least  frequent,  being  almost  rare. 
Northwest  winds  are  the  most  prevalent  not  only  for  the  greater 
number  of  years  but  rather  markedly  so  for  the  whole  period  ob- 
served, being  on  the  whole  twice  as  frequent  as  any  wind  from  any 
other  direction  but  not  by  any  means  equalling  the  sum  total  of  the 
other  winds  combined.  Generally  speaking,  February  is  a  rather 
blustery  month,  periods  of  calm  being  rare.  The  February  of 
1901,  however,  was  unusually  calm,  the  number  of  calm  periods 
exceeding  considerably  that  of  any  particular  wind,  and  giving 
for  the  entire  period  a  very  respectable  sum  total  of  calm  periods. 

Storms: — Rainstorms  are  of  rather  infrequent  occurrence. 
Snow  flurries  and  snow  storms  are  common,  there  being  usually  a 
foot  of  snowfall  for  this  month. 

Temjieratures: — The  total  number  of  records  for  February  is 
438,  as  follows :  13  for  1899 ;  84  each  for  1900,  1901,  1902,  1903, 
and  1914;  1  for  1905;  3  for  1906;  and  1  for  1908. 

The  lowest  temperature  recorded  for  this  month  was  — 22°  on 
February  18,  1905.  The  highest  was  56°  on  February  8,  1900. 
The  extremes  for  each  year  were  as  follows : 


72  Lake  Mcixinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

1900,  -8°   February  1  and  17,  and  56°   February  8;  range  64°. 
190.1,  -14.5°   February  6,  and  37.5°   February  17;   range  52°. 

1902,  -13°   February  3,  and  52°   February  27;   range  65°. 

1903,  -6°   February  19,  and  49°   February  10;   range  55°. 

Temperatures  at  or  below  freezing  were  recorded  as  follows : 
In  February,  1899,  at  6  a.  m.  on  the  1st,  2d,  7th  to  15th,  both 
inclusive ;  25th  and  27th,  the  only  days  on  which  observations  were 
I'ecorded :  Zero  weather  was  recorded  on  the  1st,  2d,  and  7th  to 
13th,  both  inclusive.  In  1900,  on  the  1st,  2d,  3d,  5th,  6th,  9th, 
10th,  11th,  13th  to  20th,  both  inclusive,  and  22d  to  28th,  both  in- 
clusive, at  6  a.  m. ;  on  the  1st  to  5th,  both  inclusive ;  9th,  13th  to 
19th,  both  inclusive,  and  24th  to  28th,  both  inclusive,  at  noon ;  and 
on  the  1st,  2d,  5th,  6th,  8th,  9th,  10th,  13th  to  19th,  both  inclusive; 
22d  and  24th  to  28th,  both  inclusive,  at  6  p.  m. 

The  temperature  was  therefore  do^\^l  to  freezing-  on  23  days 
at  6  a.  m.,  on  18  days  at  noon,  and  on  20  days  at  6  p.  m.  Zero 
weather  was  recorded  on  the  1st,  16th,  17th,  24th  and  25th. 

In  February,  1901,  the  temperature  was  down  to  freezing  on 
every  day  at  6  a.  m. ;  on  the  1st  to  17th,  both  inclusive,  19th  to  24th, 
both  inclusive,  and  26th  to  28th,  both  inclusive,  at  noon ;  and  on 
the  1st  to  24th,  both  inclusive;  16th,  and  18th  to  28th,  both  in- 
clusive, at  6  p.  m.  The  temperatui-e  was  therefore  at  or  below 
freezing  at  6  a.  m.  on  every  day  of  the  month,  at  noon  on  every 
day  but  the  18th  and  25th,  and  at  6  p.  m.  on  every  day  except  the 
15th  and  17th.  Zero  weather  was  recorded  on  the  6th,  7th,  and 
21st. 

In  February,  1902,  freezing  temperature  was  recorded  at  6 
a.  m.  on  every  day  except  the  27th  and  28th,  at  noon  on  every  day 
except  the  21st  to  the  28th,  both  inclusive,  and  at  6  p.  m,  on  every 
day  but  the  23rd  to  the  28th,  both  inclusive.  In  this  month  records 
of  zero  or  below  at  6  a.  m.  were  made  on  the  2d,  3d,  4th,  5th,  7th, 
8th,  9th,  11th,  14th,  15th,  18th,  19th  and  20th,— 13  days  in  all. 

In  February,  1903,  freezing  temperatures  were  recorded  at  6 
a.  m.  on  the  3d,  5th  to  10th,  both  inclusive,  and  13th  to  26th,  both 
inclusive;  at  noon  on  the  4th,  5th,  8th  and  13th  to  22d,  both  in- 
clusive ;  at  6  p.  m.  on  the  3d  to  8th,  both  inclusive,  and  on  the  28th. 
The  temperature  was  at  freezing  or  below  on  21  days  at  6  a.  m., 
on  13  days  at  noon,  and  on  21  days  at  6  p.  m.  Zero  weather  was 
recorded  on  the  17th,  18th,  and  19th.  We  have  no  record  for 
February,  1904,  and  only  one  for  1905,  when  on  February  18,  22° 
below  zero  was  recorded,  the  coldest  temperature  that  has  been 
noted  during  the  period  covered  by  these  observations.  In  1906, 
only  3  observations  were  recorded  for  this  month,  namely,  50° 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


73 


on  the  12th,  42°  on  the  13th,  and  18"  on  the  14th,  all  at  6  a.  m. 
The  only  record  for  February,  1908,  is  4°  at  6  a.  m.  on  the  22d. 

In  February,  1914,  freezing  temperatures  were  recorded  at  6 
a.  m.  on  all  the  days  except  the  3d  and  28th ;  at  noon  on  all  the  days 
except  the  2d,  3d,  6th,  17th,  26th,  27th,  and  28th ;  and  at  6  p.  m. 
on  all  days  except  the  2d,  4th,  and  27th.  The  temperature  was 
therefore  at  or  below  freezing  on  26  days  at  6  a.m.,  on  22  days 
at  noon,  and  on  25  days  at  6  p.m.  Zero  weather  was  recorded 
on  the  8th,  9th,  and  15th, 

The  greatest  daily  range  was  as  follows : 

February  17,  1900,  from  -8°   to   18%  or  26°. 

February     6,  1901,  from  -14.5°  to  15.9°,  or  30.4°. 

February  22,  1902,  from  4°   to  44°,  or  40°. 

February  25,  1903,  from  13°   to  40°,  or  27°. 

February     9,  1914,  from  -2°   to  28°,  or  30°. 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  FEBRUARY,  1899 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

1 

—  S" 

2 

—10 

7 

0 

8 

—  9 

9 

—20 

10 
11 

—20 
—  1 

12 

—15 

• 

13 

—  8 

14 

7 

15 

19 

25 

35 

27 

16 

Average 

—1.07 

74 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  FEBRUARY,  1900 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

—  8° 

12° 

13° 

5.6° 

2 

4 

19 

10 

11 

3 

18 

28 

35 

27 

4 

35 

20 

33 

29.3 

5 

20 

80 

32 

27.3 

6 

32 

34 

32 

32.6 

7 

40 

40 

41 

40.3 

8   » 

56 

42 

27 

41.6 

9 

8 

25 

20 

17.6 

10 

20 

34 

28 

27.3 

U 

27 

40 

36 

34.3 

12 

33 

40 

37 

36.6 

13 

23 

19 

13 

18.3 

14 

10 

30 

26 

22 

15 

17 

16 

8 

13.6 

16 

—  3 

15 

0 

4 

17 

—  8 

18 

9 

6.3 

18 

10 

28 

15 

14.3 

19 

7 

25 

17 

16.5 

'20 

22 

37 

36 

31.6 

21 

35 

36 

35 

35.3 

22 

30 

33 

30 

31 

23 

18 

42 

38 

32.6 

24 

8 

8 

—  4 

4 

25 

—  2 

10 

17 

8.3 

26 

5 

20 

15 

13.3 

27 

10 

20 

17 

15.6 

28 

19 

22 

20 

20.3 

Average 

17.4 

26.5 

22.7 

22 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


75 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  FEBRUARY,  1901 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

Maximum 

Minimum 

1 

12,5° 

23     ° 

15.2° 

16.9° 

23.9° 

9.5° 

2 

2.5 

25  5 

27.3 

18.7 

27.5 

—  1 

3 

29.5 

31 

31 

30.5 

31.3 

25 

4 

26.5 

28.5 

27.8 

27.6 

29 

22.2 

5 

12.7 

23.9 

14.8 

17.1 

23.5 

12 

6 

—14.5 

15.9 

14.5 

5.3 

18.3 

—16 

7 

—  4 

19.1 

18 

11 

22.9 

—11.2 

8 

22.1 

23.9 

26.5 

22.5 

27 

8 

9 

22.8 

25.8 

26 

24.8 

29.9 

21 

10 

8.5 

21 

18.2 

15  9 

29.9 

4 

11 

13.5 

28 

21.8 

21.1 

32.1 

—  4 

12 

9.5 

27 

20  5 

16.6 

27.6 

7.5 

13 

11.1 

22.9 

24.5 

19.5 

25  5 

6 

14 

14.9 

20.3 

17.5 

17.5 

23.1 

9.5 

15 

4 

28.1 

32.5 

21.5 

36 

1.6 

16 

18.1 

28.5 

28 

24.8 

30.1 

14.5 

17 

25 

31.3 

37.5 

31.2 

38.1 

24 

18 

27.8 

35.5 

31.8 

31.7 

37 

27 

19 

11.9 

17.3 

11.9 

13.7 

27.2 

9.5 

20 

6 

21.5 

16.5 

14.6 

24 

5.1 

21 

—  0.1 

23.2 

19.9 

14.1 

23 

—  0.1 

22 

2.5 

14.7 

5.5 

7.5 

15 

0.1 

23 

4 

21 

12.1 

12.3 

19.7 

—  0.1 

24 

11.2 

26.1 

26.9 

21.4 

27.9 

4 

25 

28 

32.9 

27.5 

29.4 

36.5 

22.6 

26 

4.9 

25.9 

16.1 

15  6 

24.6 

4.8 

27 

5 

29 

18.5 

17.5 

28 

18 

28 

5 

25.6 

26.3 

18.9 

30.3 

—  0.9 

Average 

11.3 

24.8 

22 

19.3 

76 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  FEBRUARY,  1902 


Date 


6  a.  m. 


Noon 


I  p.  m. 


Average 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 


Average. 


6° 
2 

—13 

—12 

—12 

9 

—  3 

—  6 
0 

12 
0 
3 
9 

—  3 

—  1 
17 
19 

—  7 

—  3 
0 
7 
4 

23 
26 
25 
25 
39 
41 

7.4 


22° 

—  4 
0 

—  4 
9 

21 
13 
14 
20 
31 
32 
23 
27 
27 
27 
27 
31 
27 
27 
28 
38 
44 
49 
47 
43 
48 
52 
40 

27.1 


12° 

13.3 

-  6 

—  2.6 

-  6 

—  6.6 

-  8 

—  8 

7 

1.3 

27 

19 

6 

5.3 

0 

2.6 

13 

11 

20 

21 

18 

16.6 

23 

16.3 

13 

16.3 

9 

11 

20 

15.3 

22 

24 

21 

23.6 

19 

13 

18 

14 

19 

14.3 

25 

23.3 

28 

25.3 

37 

36.3 

36 

36.3 

35 

34.3 

40 

37.6 

44 

45 

40   ■ 

40.3 

19.7 

17.8 

Lake  MaxinkMckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


77 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  FEBRUARY,  1903 


Date 

6  a.  in. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

39° 

40° 

43° 

40.6° 

2 

45 

47 

38 

43.3 

3 

32 

33 

32 

32.3 

4 

33 

29 

23 

28.3 

5 

15 

28 

26 

23 

6 

20 

35 

28 

-   27.6 

7 

25 

33 

31 

29.6 

8 

24 

32 

26 

27.3 

9 

19 

40 

33 

30.6 

10 

30 

49 

37 

38.6 

11 

35 

37 

36 

36 

12 

35 

37 

32 

34.6 

13 

31 

32 

30 

31 

14 

24 

30 

31 

28.3 

15 

32 

28 

29 

29.6 

16 

10 

14 

8 

10.6 

17 

—  4 

6 

0 

0.6 

18 

—  3 

0 

2 

—  0.3 

19 

—  6 

16 

12 

7.3 

20 

3 

28 

21 

17.3 

21 

18 

28 

20 

22 

22 

7 

28 

26 

20.3 

23 

20 

36 

32 

29.3 

24 

18 

35 

28 

25.6 

25 

13 

40 

30 

27.6 

26 

20 

45 

38 

34.3 

27 

35 

45 

43 

41 

28 

39 

38 

27 

35.6 

Average 

21  7 

31.8 

27.2 

26.8 

78 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES   FOR   FEBRUARY,  1914 

Date 

6  a.  m, 

Noon 

6  p.  ni. 

Average 

1 

14° 

30° 

27° 

23.7° 

2 

30 

40 

38 

36 

3 

33 

46 

30 

36.3 

4 

14 

32 

36 

27.3 

5 

22 

30 

32 

28.0 

6 

28 

34 

30 

30.7 

7 

14 

20 

8 

14  0 

8 

—  2 

14 

0 

4.0 

9 

—  2 

28 

28 

18.0 

10 

20 

24 

27 

23.7 

11 

10 

20 

20 

16.7 

12 

7 

14 

9 

10  0 

13 

9 

11 

15 

10.7 

14 

9 

24 

22 

18.3 

15 

0 

15 

18 

11  0 

16 

9 

20 

10 

13,0 

17 

20 

38 

30 

29.3 

18 

27 

'           32 

30 

29.7 

19 

22 

30 

20 

24.0 

20 

14 

31 

24 

23.0 

21 

9 

28 

■27 

21.3 

22 

21 

22 

12 

18.3 

23 

8 

14 

12 

11.3 

24 

1 

26 

23 

16.7 

25 

3 

28 

28 

19.7 

26 

17 

34 

31 

27.3 

27 

27 

43 

36 

35.3 

28 

36 

41 

32 

36.3 

Averac^e 

14.6 

27  46 

23.39 

21.9 

AVERAGE  TEMPERATURE  FOR  FEBRUARY 


Year 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

For  the  month 

1900 
1901 
1902 
1903 
1914 

17.4° 
11.3 

7.4 
21.7 
14.6 

26.5" 

24.8 
27.1 
31.8 
27  5 

22.7° 

22 

19.7 

27.2 

23.4 

22.0° 

19.3 

17.8 

26.8 

21.8 

Average  for  five  years.. . 

14.5 

27.6 

23 

21.5 

March 

March  is  prevailingly  a  cloudy  month.  Of  thirty  observations 
in  1900  as  to  condition  of  the  sky,  12  showed  clear  and  18  cloudy ; 
of  90  observations  in  1901,  18  were  clear  and  72  cloudy;  in  1902, 
33  observations  w^ere  made  of  which  15  recorded  the  sky  as  clear, 
and  18  as  cloudy;  while  in  1903,  of  41  recorded  observations,  19 
report  the  sky  as  clear  and  22  as  cloudy. 

March  is  generally  a  boisterous  month,  with  very  little  calm. 
Of  46  observations  in  1900  no  period  of  calm  was  observed ;  of  the 
46  winds  observed  nearly  every  direction  was  represented,  there 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


79 


being  5  winds  from  the  north,  6  from  the  northeast,  5  from  the 
east,  4  from  the  southeast,  4  from  south,  8  from  the  southwest,  6 
from  the  west  and  8  from  the  northwest,  the  winds  from  the 
southwest  and  northwest  being  slightly  in  the  majority.  In  1901 
the  month  was  considerably  more  calm  than  during  the  preceding 
year.  Of  91  observations  18  were  calm,  1  north  wind,  9  from 
the  northeast,  3  from  the  east,  6  from  the  southeast,  13  from  the 
south,  25  from  the  southwest,  2  from  the  west,  14  from  the  north- 
west, showing  again  the  southwest  and  northwest  winds  slightly 
in  the  majority. 

In  1902,  of  33  observations,  there  was  recorded  no  period  of 
calm,  1  north  wind,  8  from  the  northeast,  none  from  the  east,  3 
from  the  southeast,  6  from  the  south,  8  from  the  southwest,  1  from 
the  west  and  6  from  the  northwest.  In  1903,  of  50  observations, 
there  were  2  periods  of  calm,  6  north  winds,  11  from  the  north- 
east, 4  from  the  southeast,  10  from  the  south,  8  from  the  south- 
west, 5  from  the  west  and  4  from  the  northwest.  A  considera- 
tion of  all  these  records  shows  that  there  is  no  especial  direction 
from  which  winds  come  during  this  month;  it  varies  from  day  to 
day  and  year  to  year. 

March  is  generally  a  rather  stormy  month  with  a  trifle  more 
snow  than  rain.  In  1900  there  were  5  rainstorms,  6  snow  storms 
with  a  total  snowfall  of  about  7  inches,  and  2  sleet  storms.  In 
J  901  there  were  13  rainstorms.  During  15  periods  snow  was  re- 
corded as  falling  but  these  were  usually  light  snow  flurries,  the 
total  depth  of  snowfall  registering  only  about  2|  inches.  4  fogs 
were  recorded,  15  hazy  days,  one  electrical  storm  and  1  frost.     In 

1902  there  were  5  rainstorms  and  4  slight  snow  storms,  the  total 
snowfall  being  3  inches.     2  fogs  and  1  frost  were  recorded.     In 

1903  there  were  7  rainstorms,  3  snowstorms,  3  fogs  and  1  frost. 
There  was  a  cold  snap  at  the  end  of  the  month  during  which  ice 
was  frozen  on  pools.  The  month  is  marked  by  rather  sudden  up- 
ward changes  of  temperature,  one  hour  changes  of  25°  being 
common. 

General  weather  conditions  for  March  are  given  briefly  in  the 
following  table: 


Year 

Sky                                                           Winds 

Rains 

Snows 

Snow- 
fall in 
ijiches 

Clear     Cloudy  1    Calm 

N. 

N.E. 

E. 

S.E. 

S. 

S.W. 

W. 

N.VV. 

1900 
1901 
1902 
1903 

12 
18 
15 
19 

18 
72 
18 
22 

0 

18 

0 

2 

5 

1 
1 
6 

6 

9 

8 

11 

5 
3 
0 
0 

4 
6 
3 
0 

4 
13 

6 
10 

8 

25 

8 

8 

6 
2 

1 
5 

8 

14 

6 

4 

5 

13 

5 

7 

1 

15 

4 

3 

7 
2k' 
3 

6—17618 


80  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Sky: — As  shown  by  our  records,  March,  in  all  the  years  rec- 
ords have  been  kept,  has  shown  an  excess,  sometimes  inconsider- 
able, sometimes  considerable,  of  cloudy  weather.  During  the  years 
1900,  1902  and  1903,  the  excess  was  not  great,  the  month  being 
pretty  evenly  divided  as  to  periods  of  cloudiness  and  clearness.  In 
the  spring  of  1901  this  month  was  unusually  cloudy,  there  being 
3  times  as  many  cloudy  periods  as  clear  ones.  It  is  the  abnormal 
condition  of  this  particular  spring  that  makes  the  periods  of  cloudi- 
ness during  the  4  years  studied  sum  up  to  more  than  twice  as  fre- 
quent as  the  clear  ones. 

Winds: — North,  east  and  south  winds  are  relatively  infrequent. 
The  winds  from  other  directions  vary  from  year  to  year  in  fre- 
quence, but,  taken  as  a  whole,  are  so  evenly  distributed  that  none 
can  be  called  the  prevailing  wind.  Most  years  this  is  rather  a  rude 
boisterous  month  with  few  periods  of  calm. 

Storms: — Rainstorms,  the  first  of  the  spring  rains,  and  snow 
storms,  are  quite  frequent. 

Temperatnres: — The  total  number  of  records  for  March  is 
370,  as  follows :     8  for  1899 ;  93  for  1900,  1901,  1902,  and  1903. 

The  lowest  temperature  recorded  was  zero,  on  March  17,  1900. 
The  highest  was  73°  on  March  19,  1903.  The  extremes  were  as 
follows : 

1900,  0°   March  17,  and  52°  March  9;  rang-e  52°. 

1901,  5.5°  March  6,  and  64.8°  March  25;  range  59.3°. 

1902,  10°  March  17,  and  65°  March  19;   range  55°. 

1903,  18°   March  1,  and  73°   March  19;  range  55°. 

Temperatures  at  or  below  freezing  were  recorded  as  follows : 
In  March,  1899,  at  6  a.  m.  on  the  12th,  22d,  23d,  24th,  28th,  29th 
and  31st.  The  only  other  record  was  50°  on  the  11th.  In  1900, 
March  furnished  freezing  temperatures  at  6  a.  m.  on  the  1st  to 
5th,  both  inclusive;  7th  to  10th,  both  inclusive;  12th,  14th  to  18th, 
both  inclusive;  20th,  21st,  22d,  24th,  25th,  and  27th  to  31st,  both 
inclusive ;  at  noon  on  the  1st,  5th,  6th,  12th,  14th  to  17th,  both  in- 
clusive ;  20th,  21st,  and  29th ;  at  6  p.  m.  on  the  3d  to  8th,  both 
inclusive;  11th,  13th  to  17th,  both  inclusive;  19th,  20th,  21st,  25th, 
29th  and  30th.  The  temperature  was  down  to  freezing  at  6  a.  m. 
on  25  days,  at  noon  on  11  days,  and  at  6  p.m.  on  19  days. 

In  March,  1901,  freezing  temperatures  were  recorded  at  6 
a.m.  on  the  1st,  5th,  6th,  7th,  11th,  12th,  14th,  15th,  16th,  17th, 
21st,  22d,  27th,  28th,  29th  and  31st ;  at  noon  on  the  5th,  6th,  20th 
and  21st;  at  6  p.m.  on  the  4th,  5th,  6th,  15th,  20th,  21st,  27th,  and 
28th.  The  temperature  was  at  or  below  freezing  on  16  days  at 
6  a.  m.,  on  4  days  at  noon,  and  on  8  days  at  6  p.  m. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


81 


In  March,  1902,  freezing  temperatures  were  recorded  at  6  a.  m. 
on  the  2d  to  6th  both  inchisive,  10th,  14th,  17th  to  20th,  both  in- 
clusive, and  31st ;  at  noon  on  the  2d,  3d,  4th,  17th  and  18th ;  at  6 
p.m.  on  the  2d  to  5th,  both  inchisive;  16th,  17th,  and  18th.  The 
temperature  was  at  or  below  freezing  on  12  days  at  6  a.  m.,  on  5 
days  at  noon,  and  on  7  days  at  6  p.  m. 

In  March,  1903,  freezing  temperatures  were  recorded  at  6  a.  m. 
on  the  1st,  2d,  3d,  13th,  21st,  22d,  24th,  25th  and  29th;  at  noon 
on  the  1st  and  24th,  and  at  6  p.  m.  on  the  1st  and  24th.  The  tem- 
perature was  therefore  at  or  below  freezing  at  6  a.  m.  on  9  days, 
at  noon  on  2  days,  and  at  6  p.  m.  on  2  days. 

For  March,  1907,  we  have  but  three  records,  these  showing  that 
the  maximum  on  each  of  the  three  days,  March  21,  22,  and  23,  was 
84°. 

The  greatest  daily  range  for  March  was  as  follows: 

March     3,  1900,  from  7°  to  43°,  or  36°. 
March  23,  1901,  from  40°   to  62.2°,  or  22.2°. 
March  26,  1902,  from  40°   to  60°,  or  20°. 
March  31,  1903,  from  35°   to  60°,  or  25°. 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR 

"MARCH,  1900 

Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  ni. 

Average 

1 

20° 

23° 

40° 

27.6° 

2 

23 

40 

27 

30 

3 

7 

43 

25 

25 

4 

30 

42 

31 

34  3 

5 

16 

23 

27 

22 

6 

40 

27 

23 

30 

7 

12 

37 

20 

23 

8 

19 

40 

31 

30 

9 

32 

52 

34 

39.3 

10 

28 

40 

39 

35.6 

11 

35 

38 

30 

34.3 

12 

17 

32 

37 

28.6 

13 

37 

42 

32 

37 

14 

24 

30 

25 

26.8 

15 

18 

19 

14 

17 

16 

18 

10 

4 

10.6 

17 

0 

19 

20 

13 

18 

31 

40 

41 

37 

19 

42 

43 

30 

38.3 

20 

19 

28 

26 

24.3 

21 

30 

32 

30 

30.6 

22 

32 

39 

47 

29.3 

23 

33 

50 

38 

40.3 

24 

27 

42 

35 

34.6 

25 

27 

40 

32 

33 

26 

35 

35 

33 

34.3 

27 

27 

40 

38 

35 

28 

31 

34 

33 

32.6 

29 

30 

30 

30 

30 

30 

32 

37 

32 

33.6 

31 

27 

43 

40 

36.6 

Average 

25.8 

35.2 

30.5 

30.4 

82 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  MARCH,  1901 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

.    Maximum 

Minimum 

1 

28     " 

36     ° 

34.5" 

32.8° 

37     ° 

20.2° 

2 

34.2 

38.8 

35.1 

36 

40.6 

33.8 

3 

38.4 

51 

.  38 

42.4 

53 

33.4 

4 

33.5 

41 

27 

33.8 

4.9 

31.4 

5 

8.5 

16.9 

7 

10.8 

23 

7 

6 

5.5 

24.5 

26.4 

18.8 

28.6 

3.1 

7 

26.1 

40.8 

36.2 

34.3 

42.4 

21.4 

8 

38.1 

41.8 

43.7 

41.2 

44.5 

34.4 

9 

36.8 

35.2 

34.5 

35.5 

45 

33.9 

10 

34.5 

42.5 

39.9 

38.9 

47.5 

31.8 

11 

28.1 

33 

33.6 

31.5 

35.5 

27.3 

12 

28.2 

36.3 

38.5 

34.3 

38.9 

37 

13 

41.6 

37.5 

34.7 

37.9 

43.5 

34.2 

14 

30.7 

35.5 

33.1 

33.1 

37.3 

30.4 

15 

28 

35 

28.5 

30.5 

34.9 

26.6 

16 

19.6 

39.5 

35.2 

31.4 

40.6 

17 

17 

31.1 

53 

49,5 

44.5 

54 

30 

18 

39.3 

66.5 

62 

55.9 

69.3 

39.3 

19 

47.8 

57.1 

49.2 

51.3 

58.5 

44.4 

20 

32.5 

30 

26.1 

29.5 

53.9 

25.3 

21 

22.9 

22.9 

29.5 

25.1 

29.5 

21.9 

22 

25 

40.1 

43.1 

36 

47.8 

21.5 

23 

40 

62.2 

49  5 

50.5 

65 

35 

24 

44.5 

56 

52  1 

50.8 

58.5 

43 

25 

46.6 

64.8 

50.8 

54 

67.3 

46 

26 

41.9 

46.1 

41  1 

43 

47.5 

40.5 

27 

32 

36.2 

32 

33.4 

40.3 

31.7 

28 

30 

34.5 

32 

32.1 

37.9 

29.1 

29 

29.9 

35.2 

37.9 

34.3 

38.1 

22.9 

30 

33 

32.5 

32.8 

32.7 

36.5 

31 

31 

30.1 

35.1 

38.2 

34.4 

43 

29.9 

Average 

31.8 

40.5 

37.2 

36  5 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


83 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  MARCH,  1902 


Date 


6  a.  m. 


Noon 


6  p.  m. 


Average 


1 
2 
3 
4 
5 
6 
7 
8 
9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
15 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 


35° 

23 

25 

27 

25 

27 

35 

35 

40 

32 

53 

53 

35 

32 

42 

39 

12 

13 

20 

32 

35 

36 

40 

40 

35 

40 

50 

53 

40 

42 

32 


36° 

32 

30 

31 

38 

48 

50 

35 

42 

62 

60 

63 

43 

54 

52 

46 

10 

26 

46 

50 

50 

45 

57 

55 

56 

60 

65 

58 

55 

36 

42 


34° 

25 

30 

30 

31 

40 

40 

36 

40 

55 

63 

43 

45 

44 

54 

24 

12 

25 

40 

43 

43 

44 

53 

42 

46 

54 

65 

50 

52 

37 

39 


35.0° 

27.3 

28.3 

29.3 

31.3 

38.3 

41.6 

35.3 

40.6 

49.6 

58.6 

53 

41 

42.6 

49.3 

36.3 

11.3 

19.3 

35.3 

41.6 

42.6 

41.6 

50 

45.6 

45.6 

51.3 

60 

53.6 

49 

38.3 

37.6 


Average. 


34.8 


46.2 


41.3 


40. 


84 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  MARCH,  1903 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

18° 

29° 

27° 

24.6° 

2 

25 

40 

36 

33.6 

3 

25 

37 

36 

32.6 

4 

35 

41 

38 

38 

5 

40 

38 

38 

38.6 

6 

36 

44 

45 

41.6 

7 

45 

55 

57 

52.3 

8 

37 

45 

38 

40 

9 

35 

43 

41 

39.6 

10 

43 

42 

40 

41.6 

11 

38 

43 

45 

42 

12 

40 
30 

47 
55 

43.5 

*13 

45 

43.3 

14 

37 

50 

44 

43.6 

15 

35 

51 

46 

44 

16 

43 

52 

56 

50.3 

17 

53 

65 

63 

60.3 

18 

55 

72 

66 

64.3 

19 

60 

73 

62 

65 

20 

60 

54 

40 

51.3 

21 

30 

45 

40 

38.3 

22 

32 

55 

,   40 

42.3 

23 

35 

55 

34 

41.3 

24 

30 

32 

32 

31.3 

25 

32 

45 

45 

40.6 

26 

33 

56 

55 

47.6 

27 

40 

56 

42 

46 

28 

33 

44 

37 

38 

29 

27 

44 

43 

38 

30 

34 

54 

45 

44  3 

31 

35 

60 

46 

47 

Average 

37.1 

49.1 

42.6 

43.4 

* — The  maximum  for  the  13th  was  70°. 


AVERAGE  TEMPERATURES  FOR  MARCH 


Year 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

For  the  montli 

1900 
1901 
1902 
1903 

25.8° 
31.8 
34.8 
37.1 

35.2° 
40.5 
46.2 
49.1 

30.5° 
37.2 
41.3 
42.6 

30.4° 
36.5 
40.7 
43.4 

32.4 

42.8 

37.9 

37.7 

Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


85 


April 

Sky: — Of  39  observations  of  the  sky  made  in  April,  1900,  we 
have  24  records  of  clear  and  15  cloudy ;  of  89  in  1901,  33  recorded 
the  sky  as  clear,  56  as  cloudy;  of  31  in  1902,  15  noted  clear,  and  16 
cloudy;  and  of  71  in  1903,  39  records  gave  clear  and  32  cloudy, 
making-  a  total  of  111  records  clear  and  119  cloudy,  the  weather 
being  pretty  evenly  divided  in  this  particular,  there  being  a  few 
more  cloudy  periods  than  clear  ones. 

Generally,  this  month  shows  a  very  even  balance  between  pe- 
riods of  clearness  and  of  cloudiness,  the  month  for  1900  showing 
a  greater  number  of  clear  periods  than  cloudy,  the  spring  of  1901 
showing  the  reverse,  and  April  of  1902  and  1903  being  very  little 
different.  For  the  whole  4  years  there  are  8  more  cloudy  periods 
than  clear  ones. 

Winds: — Generally  speaking,  calm  periods  are  rare  in  April, 
none  at  all  being  recorded  in  1900,  1902  and  1903.  In  1901  it  was, 
however,  unusually  calm,  there  being  19  periods  of  calm  recorded. 
As  to  direction,  winds  are  pretty  equally  divided ;  so  much  so  that 
taking  year  after  year,  one  cannot  speak  of  any  marked  tendency 
toward  a  prevailing  wind  from  any  particular  direction;  the  rec- 
ords are  as  follows : 


Year 

N. 

N.E. 

E. 

S.E. 

S. 

S.W. 

W. 

N.W. 

1900 

6 

5 

8 

2 

6 

4 

5 

3 

1901 

3 

26 

10 

9 

1 

0 

0 

IS 

1902 

4 

5 

2 

2 

3 

5 

1 

S 

1903 

8 

1 

8 

12 

38 

5 

1 

1 

There  are  fewer  west  winds  than  any  other,  and  more  north- 
east than  any  other,  the  others  being  well  distributed.  The  north- 
east winds  generally  bring  cool  weather  and  storms.  It  is  gen- 
erally a  boisterous  month,  with  but  few  calms. 

Storms: — Both  snowstorms  and  rainstorms  are  rather  frequent. 

As  compared  with  other  months,  rain  storms  are  usually  rather 
infrequent;  we  have  a  lecord  of  3  rainstorms  for  1900,  of  6  for 
1901,  of  4  for  1902.  In  1903  it  was  unusually  wet,  there  being  11 
periods  of  rain  recorded  for  April  of  that  year.  There  are  occa- 
sional snowstorms;  we  have  4  recorded  for  1900,  1  for  1901,  and 
.75  inch  for  1902.  There  was  one  sleet  storm  in  1900.  Five 
records  of  frost  in  1901,  and  one  hailstorm  in  1903. 

The  following  table  shows  the  general  weather  conditions  for 
April : 


86 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


Sky 

Wind 

Snow- 

Year 

Rains 

Snows 

fall  in 

Clear 

Cloudy 

Calm 

N. 

N.E. 

E. 

S.E. 

S. 

S.W. 

W. 

N.W. 

inches 

1900 

24 

15 

0 

6 

5 

8 

2 

6 

4 

5 

3 

3 

4 

6 

1901 

33 

56 

19 

3 

26 

10 

9 

1 

0 

0 

18 

6 

1 

M 

1902 

15 

16 

0 

4 

5 

2 

2 

3 

5 

1 

8 

4 

4 

1 

1903 

34 

32 

0 

17 

28 

0 

8 

18 

9 

2 

5 

11 

2 

Temperatures: — The  total  number  of  temperature  records  for 
April  is  362,  as  follows :  90  for  1900,  1901,  1902  and  1903  each, 
and  1  each  for  1907  and  1909. 

The  lowest  temperature  recorded  was  18°  on  April  10,  1909. 
The  lowest  recorded  in  years  of  full  records  was  25°  on  April  5, 
1900,  and  again  on  April  4,  1903;  the  highest  was  88°  on  April 
29,  1900.     The  extremes  were  as  follows: 

1900,  25°  on  April  5,  and  88°  on  April  29;  range  63°. 

1901,  30.1°  on  April  1,  and  85.1°  on  April  30;  range  55°. 

1902,  22°  on  April  8,  and  86°  on  April  21;  range  64°. 

1903,  25°  on  April  4,  and  75°  on  April  12;  range  50°. 

The  temperature  was  at  or  below  freezing  as  follows:  In 
April,  1900,  at  6  a.  m.  on  the  1st,  3d,  4th,  5th  and  10th  to  14th, 
inclusive;  at  noon  on  the  11th;  and  at  6  p.m.  on  the  3d,  11th,  and 
13th.  The  temperature  was  freezing  at  6  a.  m.  on  9  days,  at  noon 
on  one  day,  and  at  6  p.  m.  on  3  days. 

In  April,  1901,  it  was  at  or  below  freezing  at  6  a.m.  only  on 
the  1st,  and  at  no  time  at  noon  or  6  p.  m. 

In  April,  1902,  it  was  at  or  below  freezing  at  6  a.  m.  on  the  1st, 
2d,  3d,  4th,  7th  and  8th;  at  noon  on  the  1st  and  7th;  and  at  6 
p.  m.  on  the  1st,  7th  and  8th.  In  this  month  it  was  down  to 
freezing  on  6  days  at  6  a.  m.,  on  only  2  days  at  noon,  and  on  3 
days  at  6  p.  m. 

In  April,  1903,  the  temperature  was  down  to  30°  at  noon  and 
6  p.  m.  on  the  3d;  to  25°  at  6  a.  m.,  and  32°  at  noon  and  6  p.  m. 
on  the  4th,  to  28°  at  6  a.m.  on  the  5th,  and  to  32°  at  6  a.m.  on 
the  23d. 

In  April,  1909,  when  only  one  observation  was  recorded,  it 
was  18°  at  6  a.m.  on  the  10th. 

The  greatest  daily  range  was  as  follows : 

April  26,  1900,  from  46°  to  77°,  or  31°. 
April  30,  1901,  from  62.9°  to  85.1°,  or  22.2°. 
April  21,  1902,  from  48°  to  86°,  or  38°. 
April  1,  27,  and  28,  1903,  from  40°,  40°  and  50°,  respectively, 
to  60°,  60°  and  70°,  respectively,  or  20°. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  BJolocjical  Survey 


87 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  APRIL,  1900 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

30° 

55° 

47° 

44° 

2 

37 

42 

43 

40.6 

3 

27 

44 

32 

34.3 

4 

27 

55 

40 

40.6 

5 

25 

60 

51 

45.3 

6 

38 

70 

55 

54  3 

7 

49 

75 

60 

61.3 

8 

47 

60 

50 

52.3 

9 

38 

57.5 

37 

44.1 

10 

26 

47 

40 

37.6 

11 

29 

32 

30 

30.3 

12 

30 

40 

34 

34.6 

13 

30 

46 

32 

36 

14 

30 

60 

44 

44.6 

15 

48 

78 

65 

63.6 

16 

58 

60 

55 

59.3 

17 

52 

60 

58 

56.6 

18 

55 

60 

52 

55.6 

19 

49 

69 

53 

57 

20 

43 

73 

60 

58.6 

21 

53 

64 

60 

52.3 

22 

58 

65 

51 

58 

23 

45 

76 

65 

62 

24 

51 

74 

60 

61.6 

25 

45 

74 

60 

59.6 

26 

46 

77 

56 

59.6 

27 

51 

67 

65 

61 

28 

64 

80 

63 

69 

29 

60 

88 

65 

71 

30 

50 

67 

60 

50 

Average 

43 

62.5 

51.4 

52.3 

88 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  APRIL,   1901 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  111. 

Average 

*1 

30,1° 

44.2° 

45.7° 

40.3° 

2 

39 

34 

36 

36 

3 

34.1 

49 

44.5 

42.5 

4 

35.1 

53  5 

54 

47.5 

5 

43.1 

51.5 

47.2 

47.3 

6 

43.8 

44  9 

41 

43.2 

7 

38.9 

50 

41.5 

47.1 

8 

34 

40.1 

40.9 

38.3 

9 

34 

48.8 

48 

43.6 

10 

35.8 

51.9 

51.9 

46.5 

11 

40.3 

52.5 

51.9 

42.8 

12 

40  6 

49 

51.5 

47.1 

13 

47.2 

48 

48.8 

48 

14 

43.5 

59.8 

57.8 

57 

15 

43  9 

58.2 

52 

51.4 

16 

41.9 

60.2 

49.4 

50.5 

17 

53.7 

51  5 

40.5 

48.6 

18 

32.5 

37.9 

38 

36.1 

19 

32  2 

41  1 

39 

37.4 

20 

33  3 

47.1 

38.2 

39.5 

21 

35.3 

42  6 

-36.8 

38.2 

22 

41  4 

44  5 

50.1 

45.3 

23 

46 

51.9 

52  2 

50 

24 

44 

58.9 

56.5 

53.1 

25 

49.5 

52 

59 

53.5 

26 

52.7 

64.1 

62.5 

59.8 

27 

57.9 

70.5 

63.3 

63.9 

28 

58.6 

78 

71 

69.2 

29 

60.2 

77.5 

71.3 

69.7 

30 

62.9 

85.1 

71.5 

73.2 

Average 

42.9 

53.3 

50.4 

48.9 

* — Maxinmrn  air  temperature  for  the  1st  was  48.4°;  minimum,  26. 1°. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


89 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  APPRIL,  1902 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

32° 

32° 

32° 

32° 

2 

31 

35 

36 

34 

3 

28 

47 

40 

38,3 

4 

30 

50 

42 

40.6 

5 

36 

56 

50 

47.3 

6 

45 

60 

50 

51.6 

7 

32 

26 

25 

27.6 

8 

22 

38 

36 

32 

9 

35 

58 

45 

46 

10 

35 

65 

60 

53  3 

11 

48 

55 

50 

51 

12 

46 

45 

44 

45 

13 

35 

41 

39 

38.3 

14 

36 

44 

42 

40.6 

15 

38 

50 

45 

44.3 

16 

42 

58 

52 

50.6 

17 

42 

60 

56 

52.6 

18 

48 

68 

56 

57.3 

19 

47 

56 

50 

51 

20 

40 

68 

53 

53.6 

21 

48 

86 

77 

70.3 

22 

67 

80 

78 

75 

23 

42 

50 

48 

46.6 

24 

38 

58 

64 

53.3 

25 

50 

62 

70 

60.6 

26 

50 

46 

50 

48.6 

27 

50 

60 

62 

57.3 

28 

56 

76 

65 

65.6 

29 

54 

78 

66 

66 

30 

56 

62 

60 

59.3 

Average 

41.9 

55.7 

51.4 

49.7 

90 


Lake  Maxmkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  APRIL,  1903 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6p.m. 

Average 

1 

40° 

60° 

50° 

2 

55 

70 

65° 

63.3 

3 

36 

30 

30 

32 

.  4 

25 

32 

32 

29.6 

5 

28 

35 

45 

36 

6 

45 

55 

56 

52 

7 

43 

55 

61 

53 

8 

45 

57 

60 

54 

9 

48 

65 

56 

56.3 

10 

45 

53 

47 

48.3 

11 

55 

65 

70 

63.3 

12 

65 

75 

65 

68.3 

13 

53 

48 

48 

49.6 

14 

45 

50 

47 

47.3 

15 

43 

48 

41 

46 

16 

38 

54 

46 

46 

17 

37 

55 

50 

47.3 

18 

42 

60 

55 

52.3 

19 

41 

55 

50 

48.6 

20 

43 

57 

57 

52.3 

21 

43 

43 

43 

43 

22 

36 

42 

42 

40 

23 

32 

50 

48 

43.3 

24 

46 

58 

48 

50.6 

25 

45 

46 

48 

46.3 

26 

35 

55 

56 

48.6 

27 

40 

60 

63 

54.3 

28 

50 

70 

71 

63.6 

29 

60 

74 

72 

68.6 

30 

63 

36 

32 

43.6 

44.1 

53.8 

51.9 

49.9 

AVERAGE  AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  APRIL 


Year 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

For  the  month 

1900 
1901 
1902 
1903 

43.0° 
42.9 
41.9 
44.1 

62.5° 
53.3 
55.7 
53.8 

51.4° 
50.4 
51.4 
51.9 

52.3° 
48.9 
49.7 
49.9 

Average  for  four  years .  . 

43 

.56.3 

51.3 

50.2 

May 

Sky: — Of  35  observations  made  in  1900,  21  record  the  sky  as 
clear,  and  14  as  cloudy;  of  95  in  1901,  23  record  the  sky  as  clear 
and  72  as  cloudy;  of  31  records  in  1902  we  have  15  clear  and  16 
cloudy;  and  of  76  records  for  1903  we  have  49  clear  and  27  cloudy, 
making-  a  total  of  108  records  for  clear  and  129  of  cloudy,  the 
cloudy  periods  being  somewhat  in  excess  of  the  clear  ones. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


91 


May  is  generally  a  bright  sunny  month,  most  of  the  records 
showing  a  preponderance  of  bright  days.  Many  of  the  periods 
marked  "cloudy"  in  1901,  were  bright  and  pleasant,  either  because 
of  thinness  of  the  clouds  or  broken  rifts  in  them. 

Winds: — As  with  April,  this  is  a  month  of  comparatively  few 
calms,  none  being  reported  for  1900,  1902,  or  1903.  In  1901.  for 
which  our  records  are  much  fuller,  we  have  recorded  15  periods 
of  calm. 

West  winds  were  rather  few;  all  others  were  pretty  well  dis- 
tributed, those  from  the  south  being  on  the  whole,  the  most  abund- 
ant. For  the  year  for  which  we  have  the  fullest  records  we  have 
a  goodly  record  of  periods  of  calm. 

The  following  is  a  record  of  the  winds  for  the  time  observed : 


Year 

N.      . 

N.E. 

E. 

S.E. 

S. 

S.W, 

W. 

x.w. 

1900 

7 

5 

0 

8 

6 

10 

2 

1 

1901 

5 

31 

2 

12 

1 

3 

1 

16 

1902 

1 

1 

4 

4 

1 

5 

0 

2 

1903 

8 

1 

8 

12 

38 

5 

1 

I 

Storms: — Rainstorms  are  frequent,  just  about  as  frequent  as 
in  April.  Two  rainstorms  were  recorded  for  1900,  4  in  1901,  none 
in  1902,  and  6  in  1903. 

Of  other  atmospheric  phenomena  there  was  one  thunderstorm 
in  1901,  and  there  were  2  cases  of  noticeably  heavy  dewfall.  It 
may  be  observed  that  "dew",  as  commonly  observed,  especially  on 
grass,  is  as  much  a  biological  as  an  atmospheric  phenomenon, 
being  the  result  of  transpiration  by  herbage,  although  peculiar 
atmospheric  conditions  favor  its  manifestation. 

The  general  weather  conditions  for  May  are  shown  in  the  fol- 
lowing table : 


Year 

Sky 

Wind 

Rains 

Clear 

Cloudy 

Calm 

N. 

N.E. 

E. 

S.E.    1 

S. 

S.W. 

W. 

N.W. 

1900 

21 

14 

0 

7 

5 

0 

8 

6 

10 

2 

1 

2 

1901 

23 

72 

15 

5 

31 

2 

12 

1 

3 

1 

16 

4 

1902 

15 

16 

0 

1 

1 

4 

4 

1 

5 

0 

2 

0 

1903 

49 

27 

0 

8 

1 

8 

12       1 

38 

5 

1 

1 

6 

Temperatures: — The  total  number  of  temperature  records  for 
May  is  310,  as  follows:  90  in  1900,  91  in  1901,  53  in  1902,  and  76 
in  1903. 


92 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


The  lowest  temperature  recorded  was  30°  on  May  1,  1903. 
The  highest  was  93°  on  May  14  and  again  on  May  16,  1900.  The 
extremes  were  as  follows : 

1900,  35°  on  May  3,  and  88°   on  May  25;  range  53°. 

1901,  42.5°  on  May  30,  and  89°   on  May  23;   range  46.5°. 
1902,*  43°  on  May  15,  and  88°  on  May  18;  range  45°. 
1903,  30°  on  May  1,  and  90°  on  May  17  and  19;  range  60°. 

In  the  4  years  for  which  records  were  made  the  temperature 
in  the  month  of  May  fell  as  low  as  freezing  only  once,  which  was 
at  6  a.  m.  May  1,  1903,  when  it  stood  at  30°. 

The  greatest  daily  range  was  as  follows : 

May  10,  1900,  from  37°   to  77°,  or  40°. 

May  23,  1901,  from  60°   to  89°,  or  29°. 

May     3,  1902,  from  62°   to  90°,  or  28°. 

May  10,  1903,  from  54°  to  83°,  or  29°. 

AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  MAY,  1900 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  D.  m. 

Average 

1 

46° 

80° 

64° 

63.3° 

2 

60 

82 

54 

65.3 

3 

35 

55 

45 

45 

4 

45 

56 

48 

49.6 

5 

45 

70 

60 

58.3 

6 

50 

78 

67 

65 

7 

53 

79 

66 

66 

8 

65 

75 

55 

65 

9 

40 

56 

42 

46 

10 

37 

77 

58 

57.3 

n 

50 

77 

65 

64 

12 

60 

88 

70 

72.6 

14t 

79 

93 

76 

82.6 

15 

70 

90 

80 

80 

16 

76 

93 

72 

80.3 

17 

50 

65 

60 

58.3 

18 

56 

60 

51 

59 

19 

50 

63 

51 

54.6 

20 

50 

67 

63 

60 

21 

46 

70 

60 

58.6 

22 

50 

70 

64 

61.3 

23 

61 

80 

74 

71  6 

24 

61 

85 

76 

74 

25 

63 

88 

76 

75.6 

26 

70 

85 

83 

79.3 

27 

68 

80 

70 

72.6 

28 

64 

80 

70 

71.3 

29 

68 

78 

70 

72 

30 

70 

88 

80 

79.3 

31 

70 

80 

70 

73.3 

Average 

56.9 

76.3 

64.7 

66 

*No  record  after  May  18. 

t  Maximum  air  temperature,  93° 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Stirvey  93 

AIR   temperatures]  FOR  MAY,  1901 


Date 

6  a.  ni. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

62° 

83.8° 

80° 

75.3° 

2 

85.9 
66 

73.1 
65.4 

79  5 

3 

51.5 

61 

4 

48.9 

67 

62.9 

59.6 

5 

58.9 

74  3 

70.5 

67.9 

6 

62 

73.2 

62.3 

65.8 

7 

57.8 

61.8 

57.8 

59.1 

8 

55 

60.3 

58.8 

58 

9 

49.5 

62 

63.9 

58.5 

10 

53.2 

59.5 

66 

59.6 

11 

50.5 

64.1 

61.8 

58.8 

12 

51.6 

55.5 

53 

53.4 

13 

46.5 

66.1 

55.8 

56.1 

14 

46.6 

59.8 

60.5 

55.6 

15 

42.9 

70.3 

83 

65.4 

16 

54 

82.6 

64.5 

67 

17 

55.1 

83  5 

80,5 

73 

18 

62.3 

79  2 

70  4 

70.6 

19 

54  2 

64.9 

61 

60 

20 

53.5 

67.9 

59 

60.1 

21 

52.8 

57.4 

59  6 

56.6 

22 

55 

62 

66.6 

61.2 

23 

60 

85.9 

89 

78.3 

24 

60.9 

57.5 

52  5 

57 

25 

47.6 
45 

51,1 
47 

49.4 

26 

51  5 

47.8 

27 

46 

56  9 

54.9 

52.6 

28 

52.2 

65,2 

62.6 

60 

29 

43.9 

57.9 

54  5 

52.1 

30 

42  5 

58.9 

57.9 

53.1 

31 

45 

66 

68,9 

60 

Average 

52.2 

66.9 

63.7 

61 

AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  MAY,  1902 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

48° 

63° 

61° 

57.3° 

2 

60 

80 

67 

69 

3 

62 

90 

78 

76.6 

4 

67 

88 

76 

77 

5 

60 

72 

70 

67.3 

6 

56 

66 

63 

61  6 

7 

50 

58 

60 

56 

8 

46 

52 

50 

49.3 

9 

43 

50 

54 

49 

10 

45 

48 

49 

47.3 

11 

45 

50 

56 

50.3 

12 

50 

78 

76 

68 

13 

59 

60 

60 

59.6 

14 

58 

62 

54 

58 

15 

43 

56 

58 

52.3 

16 

50 

66 

68 

61.3 

17 

51 

73 

fiO 

61.3 

18 

65 

88 

76  5 

Average     

53.2 

66.7 

62.4 

61.2 

94 


Lake  Maxmkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  MAY,  1903 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

30° 

55° 

50° 

45  0° 

/      2 

37 

60 

58 

51.6 

3 

43 

43 

40 

42 

4 

37 

60 

54 

50.3 

5 

47 

68 

60 

58.3 

6 

55 

70 

60 

61.6 

7 

45 

65 

60 

56.6 

8 

45 

70 

62 

59 

9 

55 

82 

65 

67.3 

10 

54 

83 

60 

65.6 

11 

62 

81 

68 

70  3 

12 

60 

84 

73 

72.3 

13 

64 

84 

60 

69.3 

14 

50 

80 

64 

64.6 

15 

57 

78 

63 

66 

16 

60 

84 

65 

69.6 

17 

63 

90 

66 

73 

18 

65 

85 

74 

74.6 

19 

66 

90 

70 

75.3 

20 

70 

78 

65 

71 

21 

68 

78 

70 

72 

22 

66 

75 

70 

70  3 

23 

68 

80 

78 

75.3 

24 

70 

80 

68 

72.3 

25 

65 
70 

81 
80 

73 

27 

75 

Average 

56.6 

75.5 

63.5 

65  4 

AVERAGE  TEMPERATURES  FOR  MAY 


Year 

0  a .  Ill . 

Noon 

Op.  m. 

For  the  month 

1900 
1901 
1902 
1903 

56.9° 
52.2 
53.2 
56.6 

76.3° 
66.9 
66.7 
75.5 

64.7° 
63.7 
62.4 
63.5 

66  0° 
61  0 
61.2 
65,4 

Average  for  four  years . . 

54.7 

71.4 

63.6 

63  3 

June 

Sky  and  Winds: — We  have  complete  records  for  June  for  only 
2  years,  1900  and  1901,  the  records  of  other  years  being  too  frag- 
mentary to  tabulate.  Of  36  records  in  1900,  23  record  the  sky  as 
clear  and  13  as  cloudy;  of  78  for  1901  we  have  33  records  of  clear 
sky  and  45  of  cloudy,  leaving  the  month  for  1900  with  an  excess 
of  clear  records  and  that  for  1901  with  a  somewhat  similar  ex- 
cess of  records  for  cloudy.     The  total  observations  for  the  2  years 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


95 


are  56  clear  periods  and  58  cloudy,  which  is  a  remarkably  even 
balance. 

In  1900  there  were  10  more  observations  marked  "clear"  than 
cloudy,  while  in  1901  cloudy  periods  were  somewhat  more  frequent 
than  clear.  Taking  observations  for  both  years,  we  have  the  pe- 
riods pretty  evenly  divided. 

These  observations  show  that,  taken  as  a  whole,  the  cloudy  pe- 
riods and  clear  periods  are  about  equally  divided,  the  clear  periods 
being  more  prevalent  in  1900  but  less  so  in  1901.  North  and  west 
winds  are  relatively  infrequent ;  winds  from  other  directions  are  so 
evenly  balanced  that  none  can  be  called  the  prevailing  wind.  This 
is  an  evenly  tempered  uneventful  month  and  the  minor  weather 
phenomena  such  as  fog,  haze,  electrical  storms,  etc.,  were  not  suf- 
ficiently marked  to  attract  especial  attention. 

Rainstorms  are  not  especially  frequent  during  this  month. 

The  results  of  our  observations  are  given  in  the  following  table : 


Year 

Sky 

Winds 

Rains 

Rain- 
fall in 

Clear 

Cloudy 

Calm 

N. 

N.E. 

E. 

S.E.  1     S. 

S.W. 

W. 

N.W. 

inches 

1900 
1901 

23 
33 

13 
45 

4 

17 

5 
0 

9 

8 

9 
5 

7 
16 

4 
5 

8 
16 

0 
3 

4 
11 

8 
9 

1.5 

Tem'peratures: — The  total  number  of  temperature  records  for 
June  is  202,  as  follows:  90  in  1900,  90  in  1901,  10  in  1902,  and  12 
in  1903. 

The  lowest  temperature  recorded  was  45.5°  on  June  1,  1901. 
The  highest  was  95°  on  June  28,  1901. 

The  extremes  were  as  follows: 

1900,  49°  on  June  3  and  88°  on  June  16;  range  39°. 

1901,  45.5°  on  June  1  and  95=  on  June  28;  range  49.5°. 
1902,'  50°  on  June  21  and  22,  and  QQ°   on  June  30;  range  16°. 
1903%  62°  on  June  27  and  86.2°  on  June  30;  range  24.2°. 

Our  records  show  no  freezing  temperature  for  June.  The 
greatest  daily  range  was  as  follows : 

June     9,  1900,  from  54°   to  80°,  or  26°. 

June  16,  1901,  from  65°   to   90°,  or  25°. 

June  28,  1902S  from  56°  to  61°,  or  5°. 

June  29  and  30,  1903%  72°  and  73°  to  85.2°  and  83.2°,  or  13.2°. 


*  Records  for  only  G  days. 
-  Records  for  only  4  days. 


7—17618 


96 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  JUNE,  1900 


Date 


6  a.  m. 


Noon 


6  p.  ni. 


Average 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 
10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 

28 

2) 

3) 


76° 

68 

49 

58 

67.5 

68 

66 

68 

54 

65 

68 

63 

70 

63 

64 

60 

66 

65 

65 

76 

63.5 

65 

64 

68 

67 

84 

71 

68 

76  5 

fO 


86° 

65 

66 

75 

80 

78 

79 

79 

80 

80 

79 

77 

81 

80 

75 

88 

82 

80 

76 

74 

69.5 

68 

82 

84.5 

84 

85.7 

84.7 

85 

79 

68 


73° 

60 

60 

70 

73 

68 

70 

60 

60 

70 

65 

75 

76 

65 

63 

78 

68 

63 

74 

63.5 

67.5 

60 

70 

70 

73 

76  5 

79.5 

79 

69 

72 


78.3" 

64.3 

58.3 

67.6 

73.5 

71.3 

70.3 

69 

64.6 

71.6 

70.6 

71.6 

75.6 

69.3 

67.3 

75.3 

71.3 

69.3 

71.6 

70.5 

66.8 

64.3 

72 

■70.8 

74.6 

82 

78.4 

77.3 

74.8 

66  6 

Average. 


66.2 


78.3 


69 


Lake  Maxinktickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


97 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  JUNE,  1!»U1 


Date 

6  a.  in. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

45.5° 

66.1° 

64  0° 

58  5" 

2 

52.2 

66.1 

79.5 

65.9 

3 

57.3 

79.5 

81.2 

72.7 

4 

60.1 

84 

82.1 

75.4 

5 

69 

65.9 

73.9 

69.6 

6 

65 

72 

76  5 

71.2 

7 

52.5 

56 

52.9 

53.8 

8 

46 

63.9 

58 

56 

9 

55.2 

78.5 

77.1 

70.3 

10 

62.1 

71.3 

79.6 

71 

11 

73.8 

91.5 

93.5 

86  3 

12 

70 

94 

75.1 

79.7 

13 

70 

89.8 

80 

79.9 

14 

73.8 

91.6 

82.5 

82.6 

15 

72 

82.5 

80 

78.2 

16 

65 

90 

83.8 

79  6 

17 

66.1 

71.5 

73.5 

70  4 

18 

62  9 

83.6 

73.5 

73  3 

19 

68 

85.9 

79.5 

77.8 

20  . 

63.9 

77.1 

74.9 

72 

21 

69.9 

75.8 

79  3 

75 

22 

72 

87.8 

87.9 

82.6 

23 

67.8 

81.9 

83.3 

77  7 

24 

73.0 

90.1 

85 

83 

25 

76,1 

94.5 

83.8 

84.8 

26 

74 

91 

88 

84 

27 

76.5 

93.4 

81 

83.6 

28 

71 

95 

91 

•       86 

29 

76.5 

88 

82.5 

82.3 

30 

79.5 

94.2 

92  9 

88.9 

Average 

66.3 

81.8 

79.2 

75.7 

AIR  TEMPERATURES   FOR  JUNE,  1902 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  ni. 

Rang-c 

.A  verage 

21 

50° 

50 

55 

58 

56 

64 

22 

23 

24 

28 
30 

61° 
66 

59° 
52 

5° 
14 

58  7° 
60  7 

Average 

55.5 

63.5 

55.5 

59.7 

AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  JUNE,  1903 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

0  p.  ni.                            Averape 

27 
28 
29 
30 

62° 
63.5 
72 
73 

75° 
75 

85.2 
86  2 

71° 

78 
82.5 

SI 

70.3° 
72  2 
79  9 
80 

Average 

67.6 

80.4 

78.9 

75.6 

98 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AVERAGE  AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  THE  MONTH  OF  JUNE 


Year 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

For  the  month 

1900 
1901 
1902 
1903 

66,2° 
66.3 
55.5 
67.6 

78.3° 
81.8 
63  5 
80.4 

69  0° 
79.2 
55.2 
78.9 

71  0° 
75.7 
59.5 
75.6 

Average  for  four  years .  . 

63  9 

76 

70.6 

70.4 

July 

Sky: — The  records  for  July  are  fairly  complete  for  only  3  years 
and  accordingly  do  not  admit  of  the  cheeking  up  and  balancing 
which  is  possible  where  we  have  more  years  to  compare.  It  may 
briefly  be  observed  that  the  clear  periods  were  somewhat  in  ex- 
cess of  the  cloudy  ones  for  the  years  under  observation  and  that 
the  south  winds  were  somewhat  more  common  than  those  from 
any  other  direction.     The  calm  periods  were  surprisingly  few. 

Winds: — Northeast,  west  and  northwest  winds  were  the  least 
frequent,  the  prevailing  wind  being  from  the  south.  Periods  of 
calm  were  rather  infrequent. 

Storms: — Compared  with  other  months,  showers  were  rather 
frequent;  of  fairly  complete  records  of  34  months,  we  have  only 
six  that  equal  or  exceed  that  of  this  particular  month. 

Temperatures: — The  total  number  of  temperature  records  for 
July  is  330,  as  follows :  93  in  1899,  93  in  1900,  26  in  1902,  93  in 
1903,  24  in  1906,  and  1  in  1910. 

The  lowest  temperature  recorded  for  this  month  was  54°  on 
July  1,  1902;  the  highest  was  103°  on  July  1,  1910.  The  extremes 
for  each  year  were  as  follows : 

1899,  58°  on  July  8  and  89°  on  July  21;  range  31°. 

1900,  60.5°  on  July  1  and  9,  and  92°  on  July  4;  range  31.5°. 
1902S  54°  on  July  1  and  90°  on  July  7  and  27;  range  36°. 
1903,  60°  on  July  15  and  16,  and  91°  on  July  3  and  4;  range  31°. 
1906=  60.5°  on  July  31  and  94°  on  July  23;  range  33.5°. 

Our  records  show  no  freezing  temperature  for  July. 
The  greatest  daily  range  was  as  follows : 

July  12,  21  and  24,  1899,  from  71°,  73°  and  71°,  respectively, 

to  87°,  89°  and  87°,  respectively,  or  16°. 
July  14  and  28,  1900,  from  71°  and  64°,  respectively,  to  88° 

and  81°,  respectively,  or  17°. 
July  24,  1902,  from  65°  to  88°,  or  23°. 
July     2,  1903,  from  68°   to   88°,  or  20°. 
July  31,  1906^  from  60.5°  to  84°,  or  23.5°. 

^  Records  for  only  11  days. 
-  Records  for  only  9  days. 
'  Records  for  only  9  days. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


99 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  JULY,  1899 


Date 

6  a.  111. 

Noon 

6  p.  ni. 

Average 

5 

69° 

73° 

70° 

70.6° 

6 

65 

77 

77  ■ 

73 

7 

69 

80 

78 

75.6 

8 

58 

70.5 

68 

65.5 

9 

65 

76 

76.5 

72.5 

10 

69 

80 

80 

76.3 

11 

71 

83.5 

81 

78.5 

12 

71 

87 

86.5 

81  5 

13 

74 

86 

74 

78 

14 

70 

74 

73 

72.3 

15 

69 
71 

77 
74 

73 

16 

77.5 

77.1 

17 

66 

72 

70 

69.3 

18 

66 

79 

80 

75 

19 

69 

83 

82 

78 

20 

74 

86 

85 

81.6 

21 

73 

89 

84 

82 

22 

73 

87 

84 

81.3 

23 

72 

87 

85 

81.3 

24 

71 

87 

85 

81 

25 

71 

86 

80 

79 

26 

68 

83 

82 

77  6 

27 

69 
69.5 

78 
81 

73  5 

28 

76 

75  5 

29 

72 

77 

68 

72  3 

30 

64 

74 

71 

69.6 

31 

62 

75.5 

75.5 

71 

Average. 


68.9 


80.2 


77.9 


to. 6 


100 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AlK    I'KMPEKATLKES   FUK   JULV,  190;) 


Date 

6  a.  m. 
60.5° 

NOOT 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

73.0- 

76.5° 

70  0° 

2 

68.4 

86.5 

85 

80 

3 

70  5 

88 

86 

81.5 

4 

85 

92 

85 

87.3 

5 

81 

90.5 

85 

85.5 

6 

77.3 

89.5 

85 

83.9 

7 

71 

86 

76.5 

77.8 

8 

6;» 

68 

67.5 

67.5 

9 

60  5 

75 

70 

68.5 

10 

64 

79 

76 

73 

11 

76 

89 

67 

77.3 

12 

67 

64 

77 

69.3 

13 

64.5 

75.5 

74  5 

71.5 

14 

71 

88 

85 

81.3 

15 

7S 

88 

84.5 

83.5 

16 

71 

71.5 

79 

73.8 

17 

71.5 

78.5 

71 

73.6 

18 

67 

74 

76 

72.3 

19 

72 

84 

78 

78 

20 

72 

87 

66 

75 

21 

62 

71 

75.8 

72.8 

22 

67 

83 

81 

77 

23 

72 

86 

85 

81 

24 

75 

70 

71 

72 

25 

67 

78 

76 

73.6 

26 

67.5 

75 

70 

69.1 

27 

66 

74 

75 

71.6 

28 

64 

81 

79 

74.6 

29 

73 

82 

78 

77.6 

30 

70 

82 

76 

76 

31 

70.5 

85.5 

79 

78.6 

Average 

70 

80.4 

77.3 

75.9 

AIR   TEAIPER.ATURES   FOR    JULV,  1902 


Date 


6  a.  m. 


Noon 


6  p.  m. 


Average 


1 

54° 

71° 

63° 

62.6° 

2 

64 

84 

70 

72.6 

3 

75 

84 

7 

80 

90 

75 

81.6 

9 

76 
79 
58 
65 

82 
81 

79 
80 

1« 

21 

24 

88 

79 

77.3 

25 

70 

85 

83 

79.3 

27 

75 

90 

70 

78.3 

Average     .... 

6.(6 

83.9 

73.4 

76.4 

Lake  Maxinkvckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  101 


AIK   TEMPERATURES   FOR   JILV,  1903 


Date 


Average. 


ti  a.  in. 


1 

73.5' 

2 

68 

3 

75.5 

4 

79 

5 

78 

6 

73 

7 

73 

8 

75.2 

9 

73 

10 

75.2 

11 

70.5 

12 

70 

13 

63 

14 

63 

15 

63 

16 

63 

17 

68 

18 

63 

19 

73 

20 

67 

21 

73 

22 

73 

23 

72 

24 

81 

25 

82 

26 

72 

27 

B7 . 5 

28 

71 

29 

70 

30 

65 

31 

58 

72.5 


Nooi 


89^ 

88 

91 

91 

83 

79 

84 

90 

87.5 

85 

82 

78.5 

78 

76 

71.5 

75 

78 

68 

73.5 

75 

8.5.5 

76 

78 

83 

86.5 

89 

78 

91 

81 

73 

63 


83.9 


()  p.  111. 


71° 

84 

87 

75 

76 

81 

82 

86 

88.5 

83.2 

77.5 

tiS 

73.5 

6S 

68 

74 

69 

73 

73.5 

77 

78 

70.5 

72 

83 

83 

77 

80 

79 

76  5 

68.5 

07 , 5 


Average 


77.8° 

80 

84.5 

81.6 

78 

77.6 

79.6 

83.7 

83 

SI.l 

76.6 

72.2 

73.2 

69 

66.5 

69.6 

71.6 

68 

73.3 

73 

77.1 

73.1 

74 

82.3 

83.8 

79.3 

75.1 

80.3 

75.8 

68.8 

63.8 


76.6 


75.9 


AIR   TEMPERATURES    FOR   JULY,  1906 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

23 

74° 

94° 

88° 

85.3° 

24 

66 

74 

73 

71 

25 

63.9 

66 

71.9 

78.5 
87.9 
84 

71.2 

26 

76.9 

27 

83 

79.6 

28 

78 

92.2 

71.8 

80.6 

29 

70 

73.9 

75 

73 

30 

67 

83.9 

79.9 

76.9 

31 

63.3 

84 

82 

75.5 

Average 

68.6 

83.6 

78.9 

76.9 

102         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AVERAGE  TEMPERATURES  FOR  THE  MONTH  OF  JULY 


Year 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

For  the  month 

1899 
1900 
1902 
1903 
1906 

63.9° 

70 

69.6 

72.5 

68.6 

80.2° 

80.4 

83.9 

80.9 

83.6 

77.9° 
77.3 
73  4 
76  6 
78,9 

75.6° 
75.9 
76.4 
75.9 

76.6 

Average  for  five  years .  . 

69.9 

81.8 

76.8 

76.1 

August 

Sky: — For  August  we  have  fairly  complete  records  for  only  2 
years,  1900  and  1906.  We  have  pretty  full  temperature  records 
for  1902  but  few  records  of  other  weather  conditions. 

Our  records  show  an  abundance  of  cloudy  weather,  and  for  the 
summer  of  1906,  a  considerable  excess.  In  many  cases  of  cloudy 
weather,  however,  the  clouds  were  much  broken  up,  permitting 
many  bright  days  and  clear  bits  of  sunshine. 

"Winds: — August  is  notably  a  month  of  calms  and  it  is  due  to 
the  placid  untroubled  surface  of  the  lake  that  the  plankton  scum, 
which  begins  either  at  the  end  of  the  preceding  month  or  the  be- 
ginning of  this,  forms  on  the  surface  and  reaches  its  maximum  de- 
velopment. West  winds  are  the  least  frequent;  east  winds  the 
most  so. 

Storms: — In  keeping  with  the  prevailing  calm,  storms  are  rela- 
tively infrequent. 

The  following  is  the  record  in  tabular  form : 


Year 

Sky 

Wind 

Rain 

Cll    Cloudy 

Calm 

N. 

N.E, 

E. 

S.E. 

s.       s.w. 

W. 

N.W. 

1900 
1906 

14 
19 

19 
48 

8 
34 

4 
5 

3 
3 

5 
12 

2 
4 

7 
5 

4 
2 

1 
2 

4 

7 

5 
3 

Temperatures: — The  total  number  of  temperature  records  for 
-August  is  382,  as  follows:  93  in  1899,  93  in  1900,  23  in  1902,  74 
in  1906,  and  15  in  1908, 

The  lowest  temperature  recorded  was  51%  on  August  28,  1906; 
the  highest  was  98°,  on  August  2,  1906. 

The  extremes  for  each  year  were  as  follows : 


'  Lake  Maxlnkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         103 

1899,  58.5°  on  August  15  and  88.5°  on  August  19;   range  30°. 

1900,  62°  on  August  31  and  92.1"  on  August  10;   range  30.1°. 
1902,^  54°  on  August  23  and  90°  on  August  5;  range  36°. 
1903,  55°  on  August  12  and  86.5°  on  August  23;  range  31.5°. 
1906,  51°  on  August  28  and  98°  on  August  2;  range  47°. 
1908,'  62.5°  on  August  27  and  87.4°  on  August  31;   range  24.9°. 

Our  records  show  no  freezing  temperature  for  August.     The 
greatest  daily  range  was  as  follows : 

August     3,  1899,  from  69°   to  88°,  or   19°. 
August  19,  1900,  from  70'    to  91.5°,  or   21.5°. 
August     5,  1902,  from  65°   to   90°,  or  25°. 
August  21,  1903,  from  59°   to  79°,  or  20°: 
August  29,  1906,  from  56°  to  77.5°,   or   21.5°. 
August  28,  1908=,  from  63°  to  81°,  or  18°. 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  AUGUST,  1899 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

67.0° 

73.5° 

82.5° 

74.3" 

2 

75' 

82 

76.5 

74.5 

3 

69 

80 

88 

79 

4 

73.5 

83 

80 

78.8 

5 

70 

73.5. 

73 

72.2 

G 

69.5 

74.5 

76.5 

73.5 

7 

64 

76 

70 

70 

8 

62 

72 

73.5 

69.2 

9 

65 

80 

71 

72 

10 

70 

82.5 

80.5 

77.6 

11 

.71 

87 

86.5 

81.5 

12 

72.5 

83.5 

76.5 

77.5 

13 

64.5 

71 

68 

67.8 

14 

62 

70 

74 

68.6 

15 

58.5 

75.5 

76 

70 

16 

60 

75 

78.5 

71.2 

17 

65 

SO 

81.5 

68.8 

18 

69.5 

81 

81 

77.2 

19 

71 

88.5 

85 

81.5 

20 

72 
71.5 

80.5 
83 

76.2 

77.2 

21 

77.5 

22 

65 

79 

80 

74.6 

23 

72 

80 

82.5 

78.2 

24  - 

67 

83.5 

82.5 

78 

25 

67.5 

80 

81.5 

76.3 

26 

68 

82.5 

82.5 

77.0 

27 

62.5 

82.5 

83 

76 

28 

70.5 

84 

82 

78.8 

29 

69 

75 

74 

72.6 

30 

70 

83.5 

83.5 

79 

31 

72 

81 

82 

78.3 

Average 

67.9 

79.5 

79 

75.1 

^  Records  for  only  12  days. 
^  Records  for  only  5  days. 


104  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


Alii   TEMPERATURES   FOR   AUGUST,  1900 


Date 

6a.  m . 

NOOT 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

Maximum 

Minimum 

Range 

1 

65.8° 

76.5° 

78  0° 

73.1° 

79.4° 

64.5° 

14.9° 

2 

69.5 

76 

76 

73.8 

79 

67.2 

11.8 

3 

69 

78 

81.1 

76 

82.8 

67.2 

15.6 

4 

73.2 

89.8 

87 

82.3 

90.5 

67.4 

23.1 

5 

75 

89.8 

88 

84.2 

91 

73.6 

17.4 

6 

76.5 

-     87.5 

86.8 

83.6 

89.8 

74 

15.8 

7 

'     75 

89.5 

86.5 

83.6 

80.6 

71.8 

8.8 

8 

76 

88 

85.1 

83 

90.4 

70.6 

19.8 

9 

74.5 

90.2 

87.5 

84 

91.5 

70.4 

21.1 

10 

77.4 

90.8 

88.4 

85.5 

92.1 

75.2 

16.9 

11 

77 

91 

78 

82 

92 

73.5 

18.5 

12 

69.5 

77 

76.4 

74.3 

81.8 

69.5 

12.3 

13 

68 

80.2 

81 

76.4 

84.5 

65.6 

18.9 

14 

67.6 

68.5 

77 

71 

80 

63 

17 

15 

71 

70.1 

72 

71 

73.2 

68.5 

4.7 

16 

65.8 

71 

77 

71.3 

78.5 

64.6 

13.9 

17 

73.9 

77 

75 

75.3 

80.5 

67 

13.5 

18 

73 

86.6 

87 

82.2 

90.4 

69.8 

20.6 

19 

77 

90 

68.5 

78.5 

91.5 

70 

21.5 

20 

71.5 

88.5 

81 

80.3 

90.5 

69.6 

20.9 

21 

64.8 

80.9 

75.5 

73.4 

83.8 

63.2 

20.6 

22 

71.9 

79 

79 

76.6 

82.8 

70.5 

12.3 

23 

69.4 

71 

78 

72.8 

82 

69.4 

12.6 

24 

71.5 

83 

81 

78.5 

86 

70.2 

15.8 

25 

72 

84 

77  3 

77.7 

86.5 

70.6 

15.9 

26 

70.5 

80 

75.5 

75.3 

80.6 

69.8 

10.8 

27 

18.5 

79.8 

78 

75.4 

82.2 

65.2 

17 

28 

65.5 

79 

78 

74.1      ^ 

81.8 

64.5 

17.3 

29 

69.5 

81 

7S 

76.1 

82.6 

67 

15.6 

30 

61 

82.5 

81 

74.8 

84 

65 

19 

31 

63 

83 

82 

77.3 

85.2 

62 

23.2 

1 

Average 

70.8 

81.9 

SO 

77.5 

1 

AIR   TEMPERATURES   FOR   AUGUST,  1902 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

NOOT 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

5 

65° 
56 



56 
72 
76 
65 
56 
54 
60 
62 

91° 

74 

75 

77.5° 

65 

10 

11 

19 

20 

86 

80 
74 

79.3 
75 

21 

22 
23 

66 

65 

62.3 

24 

28  , 
30  " 

76 
81 

88 

70 
73 

68.6 
72 

Average 

62,2                                  79.5               1                   72.4                                  71.4 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


105 


AIH    TEMPERATUKE.S   F(JK   Al'Gl.ST,  l'JU3 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  in. 

Average 

1 

57° 

70° 

73° 

66.6' 

2 

64 

83 

69 

75.3 

3 

72 

87 

70.5 

77.1 

4 

66 

73.5 

75 

71.5 

5 

68 

78.5 

78.5 

75 

6 

68 

74 

68 

70 

7 

55 

73 

67 

65 

8 

60 

76 

68 

68 

9 

62 

75 

68 

68.5 

10 

60 

75 

75 

70 

11 

56 

70 

64 

63.3 

12 

55 

67 

67 

63 

13 

60 

72 

70 

67.3 

14 

61.5 

74 

73 

69.5 

15 

60 

68 

65 

64.3 

16 

63 

75 

74 

70.6 

17 

63 

75 

71 

69.6 

18 

65 

81 

77 

74.3 

19 

63 

64 

69 

65.3 

20 

58 

75 

70 

67.6 

21 

59 

79 

75 

71 

22 

67 

81 

78 

75.3 

23 

69 

86.5 

82.5 

79.6 

24 

73 

86 

85 

81.3 

25 

76 

86 

72 

78 

26 

60 

71 

75 

68.6 

27 

68 

78 

69 

71.6 

28 

65 

75 

76 

72 

Average 

63.3 

76 

72.7 

70.7 

106 


Lake  Maxiukuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Siirvey 


AIR   TEMPERATURES   FOR  AUGUST,  1906 


1  Maximum  for  the  day,  77.8°. 

'  Maximum  for  the  day.  74°;  minimum,  51.9° 

»  Maximum  for  the  day,  89°;  minimum,  79°. 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

1 
6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

65.5° 

83.5° 

83.9° 

77.6" 

2 

71 

88 

98 

85.7 

3 

65.9 

85.5 

75.9 

75.8 

4 

72.9 

91.5 

72.9 

79.1 

5 

75 

87  5 

71.9 

78.2 

6 

70.9 

88 

69 

76 

7 

68.8  • 

80 

73.4 

74.1 

8 

68.5 

79 

83.5 

77 

9 

70 

10 

67.5 

78 

76.9 

74.1 

11 

66.4 

79.5 

74.9 

73.6 

12 

59 

70.1 

70.1 

66.4 

13' 

59.9 

75 

72.5 

69.1 

14^ 
15^ 

65 

80.9 
80.5 

16 

72.5 

87.8 

80.3 

17 

71 

76.5 

74.1 

73.9 

18 

68 

81.8 

72.6 

74.1 

19 
20 

75  5 

90.5 

73 

81.8 

21 

80  5 

22 

89 
90 

78.5 

79 
84 

84 

23 

87 

24 

70.5 

74.5 

25 
26 

82  5 

89.5 
65  9 

66.5 
61 

78 

27 

58.9 

61.9 

28 

51 

66.9 

65.5 

61.1 

29 

'  56 

77.5 

75 

69.5 

30 

61.5 

68 

68 

65.8 

31 

50 

Average     .... 

67.4 

81.1 

75.1 

74.9 

AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  AUGUST,  1908 


Date' 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

27 

62.5° 

80°  - 

76° 

72.8° 

28 

63 

81 

76 

74.3 

29 

69 

73 

75 

72.3 

30 

70.5 

83 

82.1 

78.5 

31 

73 

87.4 

86 

82.1 

67.6 

80.9 

79 

75.8 

Records  only  for  the  last  five  days  of  the  month. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Bioloyical  Survey  107 


AVERAGE  TEMPERATURES   FOR  AIGUST 


Year 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

1-^ 

6  p.  III. 

I'or  t lie  niont li 

1899 

67.9° 

79.5° 

79.0° 

75.1° 

1900 

70.8 

81.9 

80 

77.5 

1902 

62.2 

79.5 

72.4 

71.4 

1903 

63.3 

76 

72.7 

70.7 

1906 

67.4 

81.1 

75.1 

74.9 

1908 

67.6 

80.9 

79 

76 

Average  for  six  years .  .  . 

66.5 

79.8 

76.4 

74.3 

September 

Sky: — The  month  of  September  generally  contains  a  good  pro- 
portion of  fair  bright  days.  Our  table  for  1900  shows  a  consider- 
able excess  of  cloudy  days,  but  the  conditions  are  reversed  in  1903, 
when,  however,  we  have  only  about  a  third  of  the  month  repre- 
sented. In  1906,  the  records  cover  only  the  first  19  days  and  are 
expressed  in  too  general  terms  to  easily  adapt  themselves  to  tabu- 
lar form,  but  which,  of  the  19  days,  record  16  days  as  "fine"  or 
"fair  weather"  and  3  as  cloudy  or  showery.  The  only  fairly  com- 
plete record  for  September  is  that  of  1900.  In  1902  we  have 
scattered  records  covering  6  days,  too  fragmentary  to  be  tabulated. 
In  1903  we  have  continuous  records  only  from  the  21st  to  the 
30th,  but  as  these  are  pretty  full  records  they  are  entered. 

Winds: — Calm  days  are  frequent.  In  September,  1900,  south 
winds  were  the  most  prevalent.  In  September,  1906,  northeast 
winds  were  frequent ;  these  are  usually  cold  disagreeable  winds. 

Storms: — Rainstorms  are  rather  frequent  most  years  and  are 
accompanied  by  cool  weather.  Fogs  are  occasional,  and  this  is 
the  month  of  the  first  frosts. 

The  following  is  the  table  for  the  two  years : 


Year 

Sky 

Wind 

Rains 

- 

Clear 

Cloudy 

Calm 

N. 

N.E. 

E. 

S.E. 

S. 

S.W. 

W. 

N.W. 

1900 

21 

31 

8 

3 

2 

2 

5 

10 

6 

1 

3 

13 

1903 

12 

6 

0 

2 

1 

0 

3 

7 

1 

1 

1 

1 

Temperatures: — The  total  number  of  temperature  records  for 
September  is  452,  as  follows:  84  in  1899,  88  in  1900, 11  in  1902,25 
in  1903,  52  in  1906,  61  in  1907,  47  in  1908,  and  84  in  1913. 

The  lowest  temperature  recorded  was  37°  on  September  29  and 
30,  in  1899 ;  the  highest  was  95°  on  September  1,  1913. 


108         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Surveij 

The  extremes  for  each  year  were  as  follows : 

1899,  37°  on  September  29  and  88°   on  September  2;  range 
51°. 

1900,  37.3°    on    September   18   and   90.3°    on    September   10; 
range  .53°. 

1902,'  42°  on  September  14  and  80°  on  September  21;  range 

38°. 
1906,"  51°  on  September  14  and  90"  on  September  12;  range 

39°. 
1907,'  39°  on  September  25  and  86°  on  September  17;  range 

47°. 
1908,'  50°  on  September  3  and  88°  on  September  11;   range 

38°. 
1913,  39°  on  September  22  and  23,  and  95'  on  September  1; 

range  56°. 


^  Records  for  only  6  days. 
-  Records  for  only  19  days. 
■''  Records  for  only  22  days. 
••Records  for  only  17  days. 

Our  records  show  no  freezing  temperature  for  September.  The 
greatest  daily  range  was  as  follows : 

September  16,  1899,  from  50.5°   to  86  ,  or  35.5°. 
September     5,  1900,  from  59.5°  to  88.8°,  or  29.3°. 
September  5  and  21,  1902,'  from  51°  and  60°  respectively  to 

71°   and  80°   respectively,  or  20°. 
September  22,  1903,=  from  56°  to  76°,  or  20°. 
September  11,  1906,=  from  65.5°   to  88.1°,  or  22.6°. 
September  14,  1907,'  from  62°  to  80°,  or  18°. 
September  3  and  11,  1908,%  from  50°  and  64°  respectively  to 

72°  and  88°  respectively,  or  22°. 
September  10,  1913,  from  51°  to  75°,  or  24°. 


^  Records  for  only  3  days. 

-  Records  for  only  7  days. 

^  Records  for  only  16  days. 

^  Records  for  only  19  days. 

^Records  for  only  15  days. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


109 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  SEPTEMBER,  1899 


Date 


6  a.  m. 


Noon 


6  p.  in. 


Average 


10 
11 
12 
13 
14 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 
20 
21 
22 
23 
24 
25 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 


Average. 


73" 

73 

76.8 

59.6 

71.5 

75 

68 

60 

59.5 

62 

63 

58 

47.5 

51 

59.5 

69 

65 

56 

47 

46.5 

57 

55.6 

62 

49.5 

44 

42 

55 

37 

37 

58 


81.5° 


84.7 


78.5 

79.1 

73 

70 

63 

69.5 

70 

68 

58.5 

70 

86 

84.6 

66 

56.4 

61.6 

68 

72 

61 

71.6 

55 

54.5 

60.2 

57 

46.5 

47.5 

67.9 


79° 

84 

72.4 


80 
77 
68 


63 

71 

67.5 

58 

60 

71 

^2 

70 

63.2 

55.5 

54 

66 

59 

65.5 

59 

51 

48 

60 

50 

41 

39 

63.5 


77.8° 

81.6 

77.9 


76.6 

77 

69.6 

65 

61,8 

67.5 

66.8 

61.3 

55.3 

62 

75  b 

74.5 

64.7 

55.9 

54.2 

60.1 

62.6 

60.7 

64.2 

51.8 

48.8 

54 

54 

41.5 

41.1 

63.1 


110         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR   SEPTEMBER,  1900 


D.i;e 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

Maximum 

Minimum 

1 

71.8° 

85  0° 

74  0° 

76.9° 

85.0° 

71.8° 

2 

71 

82 

75 

76 

82.5 

71 

3 

70 

76.5 

71,5 

72.6 

78 

67.5 

4 

61 

76.2 

75 

70.7 

79 

59.8 

5 

64.2 

87 

84.5 

78.5 

88.8 

59.5 

6 

74 

88 

75 

79 

88 

73 

7 

66     . 

73 

75 

71.3 

77 

63 

8 

64.5 

78.8 

71.6 

82.9 

63 

•9 

71 

85.2 

74 

76.7 

86 

66 

10 

69.5 

88.2 

77 

78.2 

90.3 

69.5 

11 

73 

87.5 

79 

79.8 

88.6 

71.5 

12 

63 

71.5 

67.8 

67.4 

78 

58.5 

13 

58.5 

74 

73 

68.5 

77.3 

53 

14 

62.2 

79 

76.5 

72.5 

80.6 

60.5 

15 

62 

81.9 

80 

74.6 

85.5 

61.5 

16 

53.6 

57.6 

55 

55.4 

71.6 

53.5 

17 

45 

52 

17.5 

57 

44.5 

18 

38.5 

63 

64 

55.1 

66 

37.5 

19 

57 

58.8 

60.4 

58.7 

61.6 

55 

20 

62  5 

74.5 

71 

69.3 

77 

60.5 

21 

52 

62.2 

61.5 

60.2 

70 

51 

22 

51.5 

68 

65.5 

61.6 

70 

48.6 

23 

55 

72.7 

65 

64.2 

75 

54 

24 

56.5 

72.5 

63.5 

64.1 

76 

51 

25 

71 

87.5 

83 

80.5 

88.8 

70.5 

26 

70 

75.9 

66.5 

70.8 

80.5 

65.0 

27 

58.5 

69.5 

58.7 

59.2 

64.5 

58 

28 

56 

65 

67.5 

62.8 

69.5 

55.2 

29 

59 

61.5 

57 

59.1 

66.2 

55 

39 

59.5 

62.8 

63.1 

58.8 

63.1 

44 

Average 

61.3 

74.2 

69.7 

68.1 

AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  SEPTEMBER,  1902 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

5 

51° 

43 

42 

60 

66 

60 

71° 

61° 

13 

14 

21 
23 

80 

72° 

70.6 

28 

64 

60 

61.3 

Average 

53.7 

71.7 

66 

64.3 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         111 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  SEPTEMBER,  1903 


Date 

6  a.  ni. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

21 

55.5° 

60° 

57.7° 

22 

56 

76° 

64 

65.3 

23 

59 
50 
46 
60 

24 

25 

70 
78 

58 

26 

60 

66 

27 

46 

50 

46 

47 

28 

44 

65 

59 

56 

29 

56 

70 

65 

60 

30 

60 

71 

68 

66.3 

Average 

53.3 

67.1 

60.2 

59.5 

AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  SEPTEMBER.  1906 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

51° 

73° 

71.5° 

65.2° 

2 

71.1 

71 

66 

69.4 

3 

62.5 

70 

65 

65.8 

4 

59.5 
56.2 

73 

68 

66.3 

5 

75 

66.4 

6 

62 

79 

70 

70.3 

7 

63.9 

80.9 

73.9 

72.9 

8 

80.5 
81 

72 
75 

76.3 

9 

69 

75 

10 

63 
65.5 

67 
74.9 

65 

11 

88.1 

76.2 

12 

66 

90 

69 

71.7 

13 

67.5 

68 

69 

68.2 

14 

51 

58.6 

63.1 

57.6 

15 

52 

69 

59.8 

60.3 

16 

61 

77 

70 

69.3 

17 

63 

83 

74 

73.3 

18 

66 

83.5 

82 

77.2 

19 

70 

Average 

62.2 

76.7 

70.2 

69.3 

7618 


112         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR   SEPTEMBER,  1907 


Date 

6  a.  ni. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

7 

63° 
69 

8 

62° 

69° 

66.7° 

9 

68 

68 

61 

65.7 

10 

55 

57 

56.5 

56.2 

11 

52 

66 

64 

60.7 

12 

56.5 

75 

79.5 

70.3 

13 

62 

79 

73 

71.3 

14 

62 
73 

80 
86 

71 

17 

72 

77 

18 

68 

70 

79 

72.3 

19 

72 

85 

79 

78.7 

20 

72 

78 

73 

74.3 

21 

56.9 

70 

64 

63.6 

22 

47 

60 

59 

55.3 

23 

55 

65 

60 

24 

58 

63 

54 

58.3 

25 

39 

51 

49 

46.3 

26 

43 

58 

58 

53 

27 

52 

51 

57 

53.3 

28 

58 

61 

58 

59 

29 

54 

55 

55 

54.7 

30 

51 

54 

52.5 

Average 

58 

67.5 

03.9 

62.9 

AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  SEPTEMBER,  1908 


Average. 


63.3 


77.8 


73.2 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

74° 
63.5 

75° 
70.5 

74.5° 

2 

60° 

64.7 

3 

50 

72 

66.5 

62.8 

4 

58.1 

75 

67 

66.7 

5 

61 
69 

80 
66 

70.5 

6 

77 

70.7 

7 

54 

70 

69.5 

64.5 

8 

59 
62.5 

9 

79.5 

80 

74 

10 

65.5 

82.8 

78 

75.4 

11 

64 
69 
68 

88 

83.5 

83 

76 

12 

76.8 

13 

77.9 

76.3 

U 

65 

78 

75 

72.7 

15 

67 

73 

75 

71.7 

16 

60 

78 

79 

72.3 

17^ 

66 

81 

78 

75 

71.5 


'  At  6  a.  m.  on  tha  2Sth  ths  air  wa?  43°,  and  the  maximum  for  that  rlay  was  92° 


Lake  Maxinknckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         113 


AIR  TEMPERATUKK8  FOR  SEPTEMBER,  1913 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

95° 

94 

93 

2 

3 

81° 

87  0° 

4 

65° 

79 

72 

5 

64 

76 

79 

73 

6 

67 

86 

87 

80 

7 

73 

87 

76 

78.7 

8 

69 

76 

71 

72 

9 

53 

73 

68 

64.7 

10 

51 

75 

74 

66.7 

11 

58 

81 

69 

69.3 

12 

60 

67 

62 

63 

13 

49 

65 

63 

59 

14 

50 

69 

64 

61 

15 

49 

65 

63 

59 

16 

63 

69 

70 

67.3 

17 

67 

67 

62 

65.3 

18 

55 

65 

60 

60 

19 

51 

71 

67 

63 

20 

62 

54 

49 

55 

21 

44 

49 

43 

52 

22 

39 

49 

47 

45 

23 

39 

60 

62 

53.7 

24 

56 

78 

70 

68 

25 

55 

76 

72 

67.7 

26 

50 

52 

53 

51.7 

27 

41 

60 

60 

53.7 

28 

48 

66 

60 

58 

29 

61 

70 

67 

66 

30 

59 

73 

63 

65 

Average 

55.3 

71 

65.8 

64.1 

AVERAGE  AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  SEPTEMBER 


Year 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  ni. 

For  the  month 

1899 

58.0° 

67.9° 

63.5° 

63. r 

1900 

61.3 

74.2 

69.7 

68.1 

1902 

53.7 

71.7 

66 

64.3 

%  1903 

53.3 

67.1 

60.2       . 

59.5 

1906 

62.2 

76.7 

70.2 

69.3 

1907 

58 

67.5 

63.9 

62.9 

1908 

63.3 

77.8 

73.2 

71.5 

1913 

55.3 

71 

65.8 

64.1 

Average  for  eight  years. 

58.1 

71.7 

66.6 

65.4 

October 

Sky: — The  records  are  fairly  complete  for  October  in  the  years 
1899,  1900,  1903  and  1913.  We  have  also  a  fragmentary  record 
for  1902  which  is  too  incomplete  to  tabulate. 


114         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


October  is  singularly  blest  with  bright,  sunny  days,  the  clear 
periods  having  outnumbered  the  cloudy  periods  every  year  obser- 
vations were  taken,  and  in  the  sum  total  of  our  records  exceeding 
the  cloudy  periods  by  nearly  50  per  cent. 

Winds: — It  is  also  a  month  of  calm,  the  number  of  calm  pe- 
riods generally  exceeding  that  of  any  other  month.  October  is 
made  up  largely  of  pleasant  hazy  Indian  summer  days.  When  the 
calms  are  broken  it  is  usually  by  pleasant  southeast  or  southerly 
winds,  winds  from  the  north,  northeast,  west  and  northwest  being 
the  least  frequent. 

Storms: — Storms  are  not  frequent,  and  such  rains  as  fall  are 
usually  gentle  drizzles  such  as  weight  down  the  loosened  leaves  and 
bring  them  to  earth.  Fogs  are  common  in  low  places,  especially 
in  the  morning.  There  are  few  records  of  frost,  probably  on  ac- 
count of  the  fogs. 

The  following  table  gives  the  general  weather  features : 


Year 

Sky 

Winds 

Rains 

Clear 

Cloudy 

Calm 

N. 

N.E.          E. 

S.E.          S. 

S.W. 

W. 

N.W. 

1899 

1900 

^1903 

8 
46 
22 

5 
32 
20 

4 

27 
8 

4 
1 
2 

1 
0 

2 

10 
2 

3 

19 

3 

6 
10 

9 

2 

3 

14 

1 
2 
3 

2 
5 
0 

6 
9 
3 

Temperatures: — The  total  number  of  temperature  records  for 
October  is  507,  as  follows:  88  in  1899,  93  in  1900,  27  in  1902, 
24  in  1903,  42  in  1904,  45  in  1906,  93  in  1907,  1  in  1908,  1  in 
1912,  and  93  in  1913. 

The  lowest  temperature  recorded  was  28.5°  on  October  11, 
1906;  the  highest  was  84°  on  October  5,  1900. 

The  extremes  for  each  year  were  as  follows : 

on  October  1  and  82°  on  October  15;  range  46°.      ♦ 
°  on  October  17  and  85°  on   October  5;  range  51.3°. 
on  October  29  and  93°  on  October  26;  range  60°. 
on  October  10  and  80°  on  October  3;  range  34°. 
on  October  28  and  72°  on  October  18  and  19;  range 

°  on  October  11  and  68°  on  October  17;  range  39.5°. 
on  October  19  and  78°  on  October  2;  range  45°. 
on  October  21  and  31  and  83°  on  October  10;  range 


'Records  for  only  11  days. 
^  Records  for  only  8  days. 
'  Records  for  only  14  days. 


1899, 

36° 

1900, 

33.7 

1902,' 

33° 

1903,= 

46° 

1904,= 

30° 

42°. 

1906, 

28.5 

1907, 

33° 

1913, 

30° 

53°. 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  ayid  Biological  Survey         115 

Freezing  temperatures  were  recorded  as  follows:  In  1899, 
1900,  1903,  and  1907,  none;  in  1904,  October  27,  32"  and  October 
28,  30° ;  in  1906,  October  10,  28.9°  and  October  11,  28.5° ;  in  1913, 
October  21,  30°,  October  22,  32°,  and  October  31,  30°. 

The  greatest  daily  range  was  as  follows: 

October  15,  1899,  from  60.5°  to  82%  or  21.5°. 

October     4,  1900,  from  62.5°  to  84.5°,  or  22°. 

October  26,  1902,^  from  63°   to  93°,  or  30°. 

October  10,  1903,-  from  46°  to  64°,  or  18°. 

October  28,  1904,^'  from  30°  to  51°,  or  21°. 

October  20,  1906^  from  42°   to  63.8°,  or  21.8°. 

October  19  and  22,  1907,  from  33°   and  40°   respectively  to 

54°  and  61°  respectively,  or  21°. 
October     9,  1913,  from  50°  to  77%  or  27°. 


AIR   TE.MPERATL-RES   FOR   OCTOBER,  1899 


Date 

6  a.  in. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

36° 

53° 

54.5° 

47.8° 

2 

49 

60 

59 

56 

3 

50 

71  5 

66.5 

62.6 

4 

50 

65 

59 

58 

5 

48 

61.6 

56 

55.2 

6 

45 

62.5 

58 

55.1 

7 

47 

81.5 

55 

54.5 

8 

44.5 

55 

53.2 

50.6 

9 

42.5 

64 

63 

56.5 

10 

58 

75.2 

63 

65.4 

11 

59.5 

61.5 

63 

61  3 

12 

60.5 

69 

67 

65.5 

13 

64 

72 

77 

71 

14 

65.5 

75 

89 

69.8 

15 

60.5 

82 

76 

72.8 

16 

64 

78.8 

60 

67.6 

17 

50 

52 

52 

51.3 

18 

44 

19 

60 

20 

46 

21 

44 

22 

49 
59 

65 

78 

57 

23 

67 

68 

24 

57 

75 

65 

66 

25 

57 

77 

62 

65.3 

26 

56 

73 

59 

62.6 

27 

54 
51 
43 

53 
51 
50 

53  5 

2S 

51 

29 

56 

49.6 

30 

38 

57 

54 

49.6 

31 

42 

59 

43.5 

48.2 

Average 

51. G 

66.4 

59.8 

58  1 

^Records  for  only  11  days. 
-  Records  for  only  8  days. 
^  Records  for  only  14  days. 
^Records  for  only  14  days. 


116         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  OCTOBER,  1900 


Date 


6  a.  m. 


Noon 


6  p.  m. 


Average 


Maximum 


Minimum 


1 

54.3° 

67.0° 

66  0° 

62.4° 

69  0° 

53.6° 

2 

58.5 

77 

73 

69.5 

78.5 

58.5 

3 

62.5 

81.5 

72.5 

72.1 

83 

62.2 

4 

62.5 

83.5 

76.9 

74.3 

84.5 

62.5 

5 

67 

84 

79.8 

76.9 

85 

64.9 

6 

65 

79.5 

74 

72.8 

84.8 

63 

7 

58 

56.5 

53.5 

59.3 

72.5 

52.8 

8 

50.8 

57.5 

51.5 

53.3 

59.8 

50.2 

9 

40.5 

59.5 

54 

51.3 

61 

39.4 

10 

44 

61.5 

60.5 

55.3 

62.4 

41.5 

11 

49 

62 

62 

57.7 

64.5 

46.5 

12 

51.9 

64 

61.1 

59 

65 

51.3 

13 

54.2 

63.9 

63.3 

60.5 

67.2 

51.7 

14 

48.7 

67.5 

61.9 

59.4 

70.6 

46.5 

15 

48.9 

70.1 

68 

62.3 

73.4 

47.2 

16 

55.3 

55 

51.8 

54 

62 

47.3 

17 

35 

54.5 

52.5 

47.3 

58.4 

33.7 

18 

38.1 

64 

58 

53.4 

67.1 

37.4 

19 

46.3 

60 

59.5 

55.3 

63 

46 

20 

48 

67 

61.9 

59 

68.5 

47.6 

21 

61.1 

65.1 

66.6 

64.3 

69.5 

54.4 

22 

65.8 

69.2 

65.2 

66.7 

70 

60.3 

23 

57.9 

65.3 

61.5 

61.6 

66.4 

57 

24 

43.7 

64.5 

62.5 

56.9 

66.2 

47.5 

25 

55.3 

70 

66.2 

63.8 

72.5 

55.1 

26 

59.3 

76.3 

59.9 

65.2 

77.5 

58.3 

27 

.   47.3 

64 

61.8   , 

57.7 

67.7 

46.2 

28 

53.9 

69.5 

67 

63.8 

73.2 

51.2 

29 

61.5 

71.3 

69.5 

67.4 

74.7 

61.1 

30 

62.7 

68 

65 

65.2 

71.7 

62.3 

31 

61 

71.5 

70.1 

67.5 

75 

61 

Average 

53.8 

67.4 

63.8 

61.5 

AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  OCTOBER,  1902 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

16 

48° 
53 

19 

65° 

55° 

57.6° 

20 

43 

59 

53 

51.3 

21 

43 

58 

54 

51.6 

22 

50 

68 

65 

61 

23 

58 

70 

65 

64.3 

24 

60 

75 

70 

68.3 

25 

60 

73 

64 

65 

26 

63 

93 

63 

73 

29 

33 

31 

55 

Average. 


51.1 


70.1 


60.4 


61.6 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         117 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  OCTOBER,  1903 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

66° 

74° 

67° 

69     ° 

2 

61 

73 

68 

67.3 

3 

65 

80 

76 

73.6 

4 

64 

76 

70 

70 

5 

67 

69 

66 

67.3 

6 

66 

70 

68 

66 

/■ 

66 

68 

61 

65 

III 

46 

64 

60 

56.6 

Average 

62.6 

71.7 

67 

67.1 

AIR    TEMPERATURES   FOR  OCTOBER,  1904 


Date 

6  a.  ni. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

18 

55  = 

72° 

66° 

64.3° 

19 

53 

72 

66 

63.6 

20 

50 

50 

47 

49 

21 

43 

47 

43 

44.3 

22 

39 

46 

40 

41.6 

23 

33 

50 

44.6 

42.5 

24 

46 

57.5 

52.5 

52 

25 

40 

43.5 

42 

41.8 

26 

37 

50 

43 

43.3 

27 

32 

42 

40 

38 

28 

30 

51 

48 

43 

29 

38.2 

60 

53.9 

50.7 

30 

40 

53 

50.5 

47.8 

31 

37 

58 

53.9 

49.6 

Average 

40.9 

53.7 

49.3 

48 

118         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR   TEMPERATURES  FOR   OCTOBER,  ISiOB 


Date 

6  a.  111. 

Noon 

6  p.  ni. 

Average 

5 

51.0° 

g 

39  0° 

10 

28.5 
33.5 

11' 

28.5 

40  0° 

34  0° 

12 

34.9 

51.8 

49.8 

45.5 

13 

53 

65 

60.5 

59.5 

14 

44 

65 

58 

56.5 

15 

47.8 

63.7 

57.8 

56.4 

16 

50 

62 

61.5 

57.8 

17! 

54 

68 

62.1 

61.4 

18 

56 

64.9 

62.8 

61.2 

19 

48.8 

62.8 

57.5 

56.4 

20 

42 

63.8 

52 

52.6 

21 

43 

61 

59 

54.3 

22 

50 

55 

54.5 

53.2 

23 

56.6 

56 

56.9 

56.2 

24 

59 

56 

49 

.54.7 

27 

46 

37.5 

37 

40.2 

28 

32.5 

31.5 

32 

32 

29 

30.5 

41 

43.5 

38.3 

30 

38.5 

49.5 

36 

41.3 

31 

28 

37.6 

37.2 

34.2 

Average 

44.2 

54.3 

49.5 

49.8 

■Minimum  for  the  11th,  28.5° 
'Minimum  for  the  17th,  44°. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         119 


AIR   TEMPERATURES  FOR  OCTOBER,  1907 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

50° 

69° 

65° 

61.3° 

2 

60 

78 

71 

'  69.7 

3 

67 

74 

69 

70 

4 

57 

63 

57 

59 

5 

48 

63 

56 

55.7 

6 

49 

69 

64 

60.7 

7 

62 

66 

57 

61.7 

8' 

42 

53 

50 

48.3 

9 

47 

61 

54 

54 

10 

42 

61 

60 

54.3 

11 

41 

50 

43 

44  7 

12 

38 

44 

43 

41  7 

13 

39 

46 

46 

43.7 

14 

36 

55 

52 

47.7 

15 

44 

53 

51 

49.3 

16 

52 

61 

58 

57 

17 

54 

69 

65 

62.7 

18 

47 

49 

44 

46.7 

19 

33 

54 

51 

46 

20 

47 

48 

43 

46 

21 

36 

53 

48 

45.7 

22 

40 

61 

60 

53.7 

23 

45 

54 

46 

48.3 

24 

37 

56 

53 

48.  Y 

25 

46 

55 

44 

48.3 

26 

36 

44 

42 

40.7 

27 

44 

45 

39 

42.7- 

28 

36 

41 

38 

38.3 

29 

38 

45 

45 

42.7 

30 

43 

46 

47 

45.3 

31 

42 

57 

52 

50.3 

Average 


45.1 


56.2 


51  1 


120 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  OCTOBER,  1913 


Date 


6  a.  m. 


Noon 


6  p.  m. 


Average 


1 

54° 

66° 

64° 

61.3° 

2 

52 

63 

58 

57.7 

3 

43 

64 

64 

57 

4 

50 

74 

66 

63.3 

5 

56 

70 

64 

63.3 

6 

62 

76 

69 

69 

7 

61 

81 

68 

70 

8 

61 

77 

69 

69 

9 

60 

77 

71 

69.3 

10 

63 

83 

78 

74  7 

11 

49 

56 

51 

52 

12 

47 

63 

55 

55 

13 

46 

62 

59 

55.7 

14 

51 

72 

66 

63 

15 

55 

72 

58 

61.7 

16 

54 

60 

59 

57.7 

17 

59 

63 

52 

58 

18 

43 

50 

48 

47 

19 

42 

53 

47 

47.3 

20 

40 

43 

38 

40.3 

21 

30 

34 

36 

33.3 

22 

32 

39 

39 

36.7 

23 

39 

45 

43 

42.3 

24 

45 

54 

50 

49.7 

25 

40 

51 

49 

46.7 

26 

37 

58 

49 

48 

27 

43 

44 

43 

43.3 

28 

40 

46 

44 

43.3 

29 

40 

50 

35 

41.7 

30 

34 

40 

37 

37 

31 

30 

39 

32 

33.7 

Average 

47 

58.9 

53.6 

53.2 

AVERAGE  AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  OCTOBER 


Year 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  ni. 

For  the  month 

1899 

51.6° 

66.4° 

59.8° 

58.1° 

1900 

53.8 

67.4 

63.8 

61.5 

1902 

51.1 

70.1 

60.4 

61.6 

1903 

62.6 

71.7 

67 

67.1 

1904 

40.9 

53.7 

49.3 

48 

1906 

44.2 

54.3 

49.5 

49.8 

1907 

45.1 

56.2 

52 

,     51.1 

1913 

47 

58.9 

53.6 

51.1 

Average  for  eight  years. 

49.5 

62.3 

56.9 

56.3 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         121 

November 

Sky: — Unlike  October,  November  is  prevalently  a  cloudy  month, 
there  being  more  cloudy  periods  than  clear  for  every  year  for 
which  we  have  a  record,  the  cloudy  periods  for  the  entire  time  ex- 
ceeding the  clear  by  nearly  50  per  cent. 

Air: — Calm  periods  are  still  frequent,  east  winds  are  the  least 
frequent,  but  the  others  are  pretty  well  distributed. 

Storms: — Storms,  both  rain  and  snovv'  are  common.  It  is 
usually  a  foggy  month,  the  fogs  generally  being  dissipated  during 
the  day  but  forming  again  during  the  night.  Eleven  fogs  were 
observed  during  this  month  in  1900.  Frosts  are  very  frequent,  13 
having  been  recorded  for  November  in  1900.  It  is  the  month  in 
which  the  pools  first  freeze  over. 

There  are  fairly  full  records  for  November  for  four  years, 
which  are  given  in  the  following  table: 


Sky 

WiNDj 

Snow- 

Year 

Rains 

Frosts 

Snows 

fall  in 

Fog 

Clear 

Cloudy 

Calm 

N. 

N.E. 

E. 

S.E.  1  S. 

S.W. 

W. 

N.W. 

inches 

1899 

6 
35 

10 
52 

1 
24 

3 

2 

10 

8 

2 
0 

12 
12 

5 
5 

2 
15 

2 

18 

1 

7 

1900 

14 

13 

10 

3 

11 

1902 

3 

6 

0 

2 

2 

0 

2 

3 

2 

1 

1 

5 

2 

5.5 

1904 

28 

43 

16 

14 

1 

1 

5 

11 

6 

5 

6 

9 

7 

5 

Temperatures: — The  total  number  of  temperature  records  for 
November  is  402,  as  follows: 

Three  in  1898,  90  in  1899,  90  in  1900,  52  in  1902,  90  in  1904,  :l 
in  1906,  3  in  1902,  1  in  1910,  3  in  1912,  and  67  in  1913. 

The  lowest  temperature  recorded  was  5°  on  November  26,  1898. 
The  highest  was  70°  on  November  1,  1900,  and  again  on  November 
2,  1902,  and  November  20,  1913. 

The  extremes  for  each  year  were  as  follows: 

1899,  30°  on  November  4  and  61°  on  November  17;  range  31°. 

1900,  15.9°  on  November  16  and  70°  on  November  1;  range 
54.1°. 

1902,'  22°  on  November  28  and  70°  on  November  2;  range  48°. 
1904,  19°  on  November  27  and  64°  on  November  3;  range  45°. 
1913,=  20°  on  November  11  and  70°  on  November  20;   range 
50°. 

Records  of  temperatures  at  or  below  freezing  were  made  as  fol- 
lows:    In  1898,  at  6  a.m.  November  24,  26  and  27  (the  only  rec- 

'  Records  for  only  17  days. 
-  Records  for  only  24  days. 


122  Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

ords  for  that  month  in  1898)  ;  in  1899,  at  6  a.m.  on  November  4, 
5,  12,  26,  27  and  28,  none  at  noon  or  6  p.  m. ;  in  1900,  at  6  a.  m, 
on  November  8,  12,  14,  15,  16,  23,  26,  27,  29  and  30,  at  noon  on 
November  14,  15,  16  and  29,  at  6  p.  m.  on  November  8,  13,  14,  15, 
28  and  29.  In  other  words,  there  were  10  days  in  November, 
1900,  when  the  temperature  fell  to  or  below  freezing.  In  1902  it 
was  below  freezing  at  6  a.  m.  on  November  25,  27,  28,  29  and  30 ; 
at  noon  on  no  day,  at  6  p.  m.  on  November  29.  In  1904  it  was  at  or 
below  freezing  at  6  a.m.  on  November  6,  11,  12,  13,  15,  16,  26,  27, 
28  and  30,  at  noon  on  November  26,  27,  29  and  30.  There  were, 
therefore,  10  days  in  November,  1904,  when  the  temperature  fell 
to  or  below  freezing.  In  1907,  our  only  records  are  for  November 
18  and  27  when  the  temperature  was  20°  and  30°  respectively,  at 
6  a.  m.  Our  only  record  for  1910  is  for  6  a.  m.  November  6,  when 
it  was  20°.  In  1912  we  have  only  3  records,  all  taken  at  6  a.m., 
viz.,  November  1,  37°,  November  2,  25°,  and  November  3,  25°.  In 
1913,  the  temperature  fell  to  or  below  freezing  at  6  a.  m.  on  Novem- 
ber 1,  9,  10,  11,  and  12;  at  noon  on  November  9;  and  at  6  p.m. 
on  November  8,  9,  and  11. 

The  greatest  daily  range  was  as  follows: 

November     9,  1899,  from  40°  to  59.5°,  or  19.5°. 
November  22,  1900,  from  36°  to  67°,  or  31°. 
November  28,  1902,'  from  22°  to  38°,  or  16°. 
November  18,  1904,  from  34°  to  64°,  or  30°. 
November  12,  1913,=  from  32°  to  52°,  or  20°. 

Air  Temperatures  for  November,  1898 

We  have  only  three  records  for  this  month,  viz. :     November 
24,  20° ;  26th,  5° ;  27th,  20°,  all  at  6  a.  m. 

'  Records    for    only    17    days. 
-  Records    for    only    24    days. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


123 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  NOVEMBER,  1899 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

40° 

48.5° 

44° 

44.1° 

2 

34 

40 

36 

37 

3 

34 

38 

34 

35.1 

4 

30 

40 

37 

35.6 

5 

27 

44.5 

42 

37.8 

6 

33 

44 

42 

39.6 

7 

37 

56 

48 

43.6 

8 

40 

56 

45 

47 

9 

40 

59.5 

50 

49.8 

10 

43 

55 

57.5 

51.8 

11 

43 

53 

40 

45.3  - 

12 

32 

42 

38 

37.3 

13 

33 

51 

50 

44.6 

14 

48 

51 

48 

49 

15 

46 

48 

46 

46.6 

16 

47 

56 

54 

52.3 

17 

49 

61 

55 

55 

18 

56 

57 

50 

54.3 

19 

42 

56 

50 

49.3 

20 

42 

61 

51 

51.3 

21 

49 

59 

54 

54 

22 

51 

55 

50 

52 

23 

41 

41 

42 

41.3 

24 

38 

41 

40 

39 

25. 

38 

41 

36 

38.3 

26 

32 

46 

36 

38 

27 

32 

42 

36 

36.6 

28 

32 

50 

56 

46 

29 

36 

43 

42 

37.3 

30 

40 

56 

52.5 

47.5 

Average 

39.5 

49.7 

45.4 

44.6 

124         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES   FOR   NOVEMBER,  1900 


Date 

6  a.  m. 
51.8° 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

Maximum 

Minimum 

1 

51.5° 

50  0° 

51.1° 

70.0° 

49.7° 

2 

37.2 

55.1 

52.3 

48.2 

56.8 

36.5 

3 

37.9 

60.5 

53.4 

50.6 

61.3 

36 

4 

45.3 

64.1 

58.9 

56.1 

66.3 

44.8 

5 

38.8 

57 

51 

48.9 

58.2 

37 

6 

33 
36 

48.5 

47.5 

40.8 
42 

52 
49 

32 

7 

42.5 

31.7 

8 

29.6 

34.5 

30.8 

31.6 

37.5 

29.2 

9 

32.2 

38.1 

37.6 

35.9 

41.4 

27.8 

10 

33.5 

34.9 

36.8 

35.1 

36.8 

27.9 

11 

33.9 

39.6 

36 

36.5 

41.8 

33 

12 

28.2 

42.8 

41 

37.3 

45 

28.2 

13 

37.3 

39 

27.8 

34.7 

45.7 

26.8 

14 

16.5 

28.6 

27.5 

24.2 

30.2 

16 

15 

27 

30 

27.5 

28.2 

32.5 

16 

16 

19.5 

31.5 

34 

28.3 

34.5 

15.9 

17 

34.1 

42 

48.5 

41.5 

49.1 

30.3 

18 

32 

52.3 

55.5 

53.3 

56.1 

42  1 

19 

55 

57.5 

57.7 

56.7 

60.5 

55 

20 

59.4 

67 

61.2 

62.5 

64 

55 

21 

42.6 

38.4 

37.2 

39.4 

62 

35.5 

22 

41 

63 

61 

55 

67 

36 

23 

29.5 

38.5 

40 

36 

43.2 

28.6 

24 

38 

38.5 

37.5 

38 

40.1 

36.5 

25 

33.8 

33.5 

32.7 

33.3 

35 

32.1 

26 

28.3 

40.1 

34.8 

34.4 

42.1 

26.9 

27 

28.3 

44.3 

46.8 

39.8 

49.9 

26.1 

2S 

32.5 

35 

31.1 

32.9 

39 

31.3 

29 

29.1 

30.3 

29.1 

29.5 

31.5 

27.8 

30 

27.3 

44 

42.9 

38.1 

47 

24 

Averao^e 

35.6 

44.3 

44.2 

40.7 

1 

AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR   NOVEMBER,  1902 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

56° 

67° 

61° 

62° 

2 

66 

70 

65 

67 

4 

57 

5 

55 
38 

7 

50 

42 

43.3 

1(1 

40 

52 

48 

46.6 

11 

60 

67 

62 

63 

12 

60 

69 

60 

63 

13 

61 

70 

64 

65 

14 

63 

68 

56 

62.3 

15 

45 

48 

45 

46 

16 

45 

45 

44 

44.6 

21 

60 

68 

61 

63 

24 

48 
30 
40 

25 

44 

40 

37 

26 

40 

40 

27 

30 

34 

30 

31.3 

28 

22 

38 

33 

31 

29 

30 

40 

32 

34 

30 

30 

40 

35 

Average 

46.3 

53.5 

50 

49  1 

Lake  Maxiukuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         125 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  NOVEMBER,  1904 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

Maximum 

Mininiuni 

I 

40.0° 

43 

43 

40.5 

41.9 

32 

35 

36 

36 

35.5 

27.8 

25 

30 

34 

29.9 

31 

38.1 

36 

45 

51 

30 

35.5 

38 

40 

35 

24 

19 

25 

37 

19.5 

62  0° 

64 

64 

61 

48 

42 

52.2 

40.2 

40 

39 

40 

40 

38.4 

39 

48.8 

52 

53 

58 

63.2 

45.5 

49 

52 

55 

42 

38 

28.2 

27 

34 

57,0° 

54 

56 

52 

42 

41 

49 

40.1 

40 

33 

35.9 

36.2 

34.9 

36 

42.6 

45 

50.5 

52 

56 

42 

43 

41 

48.5 

38 

34 

27 

25 

33.8 

25 

25 

53.0° 

53.6 

54.3 

51  2 

43.9 

39 

45.4 

38.8 

38.6 

35.8 

31.2 

33.7 

34.4 

36.3 

39 

42.6 

47.2 

4S.6 

54.7 

46.2 

40.6 

42.8 

47.2 

40 

35.6 

26.4 

23.6 

30.9 

31 

25.8 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

21.5° 

12 

23  5 

13 

27 

14 

33.2 

15 

29.2 

16 
17 
18 
19 

56.5° 

57 

64 

64 

57 

50.1 

54 

30.5 
33.9 
34 

20 
21 

42 

22 

23 

24 
25 

26 
27 
28 
29 

49 
46 
35 
42 
35.4 

38 

33 

23 

18.5 

22 

34 

30 

33 

Average 

34.4 

46.2 

41.2 

40.4 

126         Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR   NOVEMBER,  1906 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

31.5° 

44.9° 

41.8° 

39.7° 

2 

32.1 

48.6 

46.1 

42.2 

3 

42 

53 

41.6 

45.5 

4 

40.5 
38 

43.9 
49 

42  2 

5 

61.1 

49.3 

6 

39 
55 
42 

7 

8  ■ 

54 

51 

49 

9 

46.5 

46.5 

39 

44 

10 

34 

44 

37 

38.3 

11 

36 

39.9 

34 

36.6 

12 

29.5 

35.1 

29.2 

31.2 

13 

28 

32.5 

32.5 

29.5 

14 

27.9 

41 

36.9 

35.2 

15 

30 

40 

35 

35 

16 

32.5 

42.5 

46.5 

34.4 

17 

50.5 

46.5 

43 

46.6 

18 

43 
31.5 

42.1 

36.5 

42.5 

19 

35.5 

34.5 

20 

34 

33.9 

33.9 

21 

41.5 
34 

30 

35.8 

23 

Average 

37.2 

43.7 

39.2 

39.2 

Air  Temperatures  for  November,  1909 

Our  only  records  for  this  month  are:    November  18,  20°,  and 
November  27,  30°,  both  at  6  a.  m.    Maximum  for  November  27,  45°, 


6th. 


Air  Temperatures  for  November,  1910 
The  only  record  for  this  month  is  that  of  20°  at  6  a.  m.  on  the 

Air  Temperatures  for  November,  1912 


There  are  only  three  records  for  this  month,  all  at  6  a.  m.,  viz., 
37°  on  the  first,  25°  on  the  second,  and  25°  on  the  third. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         127 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  NOVEMBER,  1913 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

25° 

42° 

32 

28 

8 

9 

29 

25° 

27.3° 

10 

27 
20 

11 

34 

32 

28.7 

12 

32 

52 

52 

45.3 

13 

55 

56 

46 

52.3 

14 

42 

45 

45 

44 

15 

38 

37 

36 

37 

16 

38 

43 

40 

40.3 

17 

42 

52 

53 

49 

18 

54 

60 

62 

58.7 

19 

60 

64 

62 

62 

20 

65 

70 

60 

65 

21 

59 

65 

67 

63.7 

22 

58 

69 

65 

64 

23 

40 

44 

43 

42.3 

24 

34 

38 

40 

37.3 

25 

33 

45 

48 

42 

26 

42 

46 

49 

45.7 

27 

45 

46 

48 

46.3 

28 

48 

56 

60 

54.7 

29 

54 

60 

58 

57.3 

30 

57 

60 

58 

58.3 

Average 

43.3 

49.7 

49.9 

48.6 

AVER\GE  AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  NOVEMBER 


Year 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

For  the  month 

1899 
1900 
1902 
1904 
1913 

39.5° 

35.6 

46.3 

34.4 

43.3 

49.7° 

44.3 

53.5 

46.2 

49.7 

45.4° 

42.2 

50 

41.2 

49.9 

44.6° 

40.7 

49.1 

40.4 

47.3 

Average  for  five  years. . 

39.8 

48.7                              45.7 

44.5 

December 

Sky: — We  have  an  unusually  full  record  for  December,  cover- 
ing the  month  for  1899,  1900,  1902,  1904,  1913,  and  a  good  part 
of  1901. 

December  is  generally  a  cloudy  month,  our  observations  for 
every  year  except  1899  showing  more  cloudy  periods  than  clear,  the 
excess  of  cloudy  periods  usually  being  considerable. 

Winds: — Periods  of  calm  are  generally  frequent,  the  weather 
being  as  a  usual  thing  pretty  well  settled  and  steady.  North  winds 
are  the  least  common,  those  from  the  southeast  the  most  frequent. 

9—17018 


128         Lake  Maxinkuckee ,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Winds  from  other  directions  are  common  and  pretty  evenly  dis- 
tributed. 

Storms: — Rainstorms  are  generally  pretty  frequent,  but  not  so 
much  so  as  snowstorms.  We  have  a  record  of  2  sleet  storms  in 
1904,  and  of  several  fogs. 

The  various  elements  of  weather  are  exhibited  in  the  following 
table : 


Sky 

Wind 

Rain- 

Snow- 

Year 

Rains 

fall  in 

Snows 

fall  in 

Fogs 

Clear!  Cloudy 

Calm 

N. 

N.E. 

E. 

S.E. 

S. 

S.W. 

W. 

N.W. 

inches 

inches 

1899 

19 

11 

1 

1 

1 

3 

11 

1 

8 

8 

6 

4 

6 

4 

1 

1900 

28 

63 

24 

0 

6 

4 

13 

5 

13 

10 

10 

5 

9 

IKs 

5 

1901 

12 

17 

0 

1 

1 

0 

4 

4 

6 

4 

7 

3 

3 

4 

1 

1902 

8 

19 

0 

0 

3 

1. 

4 

3 

12 

1 

3 

6 

3 

14 

1904 

32 

17 

59 
19 

20 

4 

6 
1 

i5 

5 

11 

10 

13 

3 
1 

4 
3 

11 
4 

1913 

1 

Tempeixihires: — The  total  number  of  temperature  records  for 
December  is  528,  as  follows :  4  in  1898,  93  in  1899,  83  in  1900,  72 
in  1901,  88  in  1902,  93  in  1904,  2  in  1907,  and  93  in  1913. 

The  lowest  temperature  recorded  was  -13°  on  December  19, 
1901 ;  the  highest  was  54°  on  December  18,  1901. 

The  extremes  for  each  year  were  as  follows : 

1899,  -1°  on  December  31  and  54°  on  December  8;  range  55°. 

1900,  10.4°  on  December  29,  and  50.1°  on  December  22;  range 
39.7°. 

1901,^  -13°  on  December  19  and  54°  on  December  18;  range 

67°. 
1902,  4°  on  December  9  and  47°  on  December  1;  range  43°. 
1904,  3°  on  December  29  and  55°  on  December  23;  range  52°. 
1913,  17°  on  December  7  and  62°  on  December  3;  range  45°. 

Records  of  temperatures  at  or  below  freezing  are  as  follows: 
In  1898  at  6  a.  m.,  December  7,  8,  9  and  14  (the  only  records  made 
for  that  month  in  1898).  In  1899  at  6  a.m.  on  December  4,  5, 
6,  8,  12,  13,  15,  16,  19,  20,  21,  22,  24,  25,  26,  27,  28,  29,  30 
and  31 ;  at  noon  on  December  5,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  24,  25,  26,  27, 
28,  29,  30  and  31 ;  at  6  p.  m.  on  December  3,  4,  5,  6,  12,  13,  14,  15, 
16,  19,  20,  24,  25,  26,  27,  28,  29,  30  and  31.  The  temperature  was 
at  or  below  freezing  at  6  a.  m.  on  21  days,  at  noon  on  14  days,  and 
at  6  p.  m.  on  19  days.  In  1900  it  was  at  or  below  freezing  at  6 
a.m.  on  December  2,  6,  8,  9,  10,  11,  12,  13,  14,  15,  16,  19,  20,  21, 
24,  28,  29,  30,  and  31 ;  at  noon  on  December  9,  10,  11,  13,  14,  15,  16, 

^  Records  for  only  24   days. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         129 

24,  28,  29,  and  31 ;  at  6  p.  m.  on  December  9,  10,  11,  13,  14,  15,  28, 
29,  and  31.  Thus  the  temperature  in  December,  1900,  was  at  or 
below  freezing-  at  6  a.  m.  on  19  days,  at  noon  on  11  days,  and  at  6 
p.  m.  on  9  days.  In  1901,  observations  began  on  the  eighth  and 
records  at  or  below  freezing  were  made  at  6  a.m.  on  the  9th,  10th, 
11th,  12th,  14th  to  24th,  both  inclusive,  and  28th  and  31st,  both  in- 
clusive; at  noon  on  the  14th  to  21st,  both  inclusive,  and  29th  and 
31st;  at  6  p.  m.  on  the  9th  to  12th,  both  inclusive,  13th  to  23d, 
both  inclusive,  25th,  and  27th  to  31st,  both  inclusive. 

In  1902  freezing  temperatures  were  recorded  at  6  a.  m,  on  the 
1st,  2d,  4th,  6th  to  9th,  both  inclusive;  12th  to  19th,  both  inclusive; 
23d,  and  25th  to  31st,  both  inclusive;  at  noon  on  the  4th,  7th  to  9th, 
both  inclusive;  11th  to  14th,  both  inclusive;  16th,  17th,  18th,  and 
24th  to  31st,  both  inclusive ;  at  6  p.  m.  on  the  4th,  7th,  8th,  9th, 
11th  to  14th,  both  inclusive;  16th  to  18th,  both  inclusive,  and  24th 
to  31st,  both  inclusive.  It  will  thus  be  noted  that  in  this  month 
the  temperature  was  at  or  below  freezing  at  6  a.  m.  on  23  days, 
at  noon  on  19  days,  and  at  6  p.  m.  on  19  days.  In  1904  freezing 
temperatures  w^ere  recorded  at  6  a.  m.  on  the  1st  to  22d,  both  in- 
clusive ;  24th,  25th,  26th,  28th,  29th  and  30th ;  at  noon  on  the  1st 
to  6th,  both  inclusive;  9th  to  21st,  both  inclusive;  24th,  25th,  28th, 
29th  and  30th;  at  6  p.m.  on  the  1st  to  21st,  both  inclusive;  24th, 
25th,  27th,  28th  and  29th  ;  from  which  it  is  seen  that  in  December, 
1904,  the  temperature  was  down  to  freezing  at  6  a.  m.  on  28  days, 
at  noon  on  24  days,  and  at  6  p.  m.  on  26  days.  In  1913,  the  tem- 
perature was  at  or  below  freezing  at  6  a.  m.  on  December  8,  15,  19, 
20,  21,  22,  23,  27,  28,  29,  30  and  31 ;  at  noon  on  December  7,  29,  30 
and  31;  and  at  6  p.m.  on  December  7,  8,  18,  21,  25,  26,  28,  29, 
30  and  31. 

The  greatest  daily  range  was  as  follows: 

December  8,  1899,  from  29°  to  54°,  or  25°. 

December  12,  1900,  from  14°   to  35.3°,  or  21.3°. 

December  18,  1901,  from  -13°  to  54°,  or  67°. 

December  9,  1902,  from  4°  to  23°,  or  19°. 

December  13,  1913,  from  34°  to  54°,  or  20°. 

Air  Temperatures  for  December,  1898 

For  this  month  there  are  only  4  records  of  air  temperatures, 
all  at  6  a.m.,  viz.:  16°  on  the  seventh,  5°  on  the  eighth,  10'  on 
the  ninth,  and  5°  on  the  fourteenth. 


130         Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  DECEMBER.  1899 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

40° 

46° 

37.5° 

41.1° 

2 

38.5 

44 

38 

40.1 

3 

36 

38 

31 

35 

4 

24 

33 

25 

27.3 

5 

9 

27 

23 

19.6 

6 

19 

43 

32 

31.3 

7 

37 

46 

34 

39 

8 

29 

54 

38 

37 

9 

36 

41 

40 

39 

10 

46 

50 

48 

42 

11 

48 

53 

50 

50.3 

12 

30 

30 

30 

30 

13 

20 

30 

20 

25 

14 

25 

27.5 

24 

25.5 

15 

7 

17.5 

10 

11.5 

16 

14 

22 

25 

20.3 

17 

39 

46 

44 

43 

18 

39 

44 

48 

43.6 

19 

28.5 

32.5 

30 

30.3 

20 

22 

45 

30 

32.3 

21 

26 

46 

38 

36.6 

22 

26 

42 

38 

35.3 

23 

34 

40 

35 

36.3 

24 

30 

26 

20 

25.3 

25 

5 

16 

12 

11 

26 

4.5 

20 

20 

14.8  ' 

27 

9 

20 

13 

14 

28 

5 

18 

15 

12.6 

29 

3 

14 

7 

8 

30 

0 

11 

0 

3.6 

31 

—  1 

17 

10 

R.6 

Average 

23.5 

33.5 

27.9 

28.2 

Lake  Maxinkuchee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         131 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  DECEMBER,  1900 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  ni. 

Average 

Maximum 

Minimum 

1 

36.1° 

39.7° 

40.0° 

38.6° 

42.0° 

34.1° 

2 

29.8 

40 

45.7 

38.5 

48.5 

28 

3 

34.2 

41 

39.6 

38  3 

48.5 

33 

4 

36.1 

36 

35.7 

35.9 

38.7 

34.9 

5 

34.5 

35.5 

35 

35.2 

37 

33.9 

6 

27.5 

40 

41.9 

36.5 

43.9 

27 

7 

37.9 

37.5 

35.6 

37 

39.1 

35 

8 

30.8 

35.3 

33.8 

33.3 

37.2 

30 

9 

28.7 

24.4 

21.3 

24.8 

37.2 

20.6 

10 

16 

25.8 

24.5 

22.1 

27.5 

13 

11 

20.3 

26 

22.5 

22.9 

27.7 

19.9 

12 

14 

35.3 

34.6 

28 

39.2 

13.3 

13 

29.8 

32 

25.1 

29 

36.2 

24 

14 

15.9 

20 

24 

16.6 

24.5 

14.8 

15 

20.6 

26 

25.5 

24 

26.5 

19.3 

16 

20.5 

27.5 

32.5 

26.8 

32.6 

19.4 

17 

35 

42.1 

40.5 

39.2 

43 

31 

18 

36.8 

39.9 

38.8 

38.5 

43.9 

33.4 

19 

26.8 

42 

35.7 

34.8 

45 

23.9 

20 

23.1 

34.3 

33 

30.1 

37.4 

21.4 

21 

29.8 

43.5 

41.5 

38.3 

45.4 

28 

22 

38.2 

49 

49 

45.4 

60.1 

37.2 

23 

43.3 

36.7 

32.2 

37.4 

49.5 

32 

24 

26.3 
28.6 

30.5 
28.1 

28.4 
26.3 

32 
33.8 

26 

28 

22.2 

13.4 

29 

11.1 

30.1 

25.8 

22.3 

30.8 

10.4 

30 

29.3 

33 

32.5 

31.6 

33.9 

20.9 

31 

30.5 

31.5 

20.8 

27.6 

34.5 

19.4 

Average 

28.3 

34.4 

31.8 

31.7 

132 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR   DECEMBER,  1901 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

8 

40° 

48° 

36° 

41.3° 

9 

30 

34 

28 

30.6 

10 

26 

34 

24 

28 

11 

27 

40 

32 

33 

12 

28 

46 

38 

36.6 

13 

48 

54 

32 

44.6 

14 

7 

0 

—  7 

0 

15 

—12 

—  2 

—  4 

—  6 

16 

—  5 

9 

8 

4 

17 

—  5 

10 

8 

4.3 

18 

—  3 

8 

5 

3.3 

19^ 

—  9 

8 

8 

2.3 

20 

—  8 

0 

—  5 

—  4.3 

21 

—  8 

13 

10 

5 

22 

18 

35 

31 

28 

23 

31 

36 

32 

33 

24 

32 

38 

35 

35 

25 

34 

37 

32 

34.3 

26 

33 

36 

34 

34.3 

27 

33 

36 

32 

33.6 

28 

30 

34 

32 

32 

29 

30 

31 

29 

30 

30 

28 

34 

32 

31.3 

31 

27 

32 

27  ■ 

28.6 

Average 

18.8 

27.1 

22 

22.6 

-Minimum,  — 13°. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         133 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR   DECEMBER,  1902 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m 

Average 

1 

30° 

47° 

40° 

39° 

2 

30 

40 

41 

37 

3 

40 

40 

38 

39.3 

4 

28 

30 

30 

29.3 

6 

29 

34 

39 

34 

7 

23 

19.5 

18 

20 

8 

7 

18 

12 

23 

9 

4 

23 

25 

17.3 

10 

35 

37.5 

35 

35.8 

11 

34 

32 

30 

32 

12 

28 

28 

27 

27.6 

13 

22 

22 

23 

22.3 

14 

12 

26 

28 

22 

15 

28 

38 

36 

34 

16 

32 

28 

26 

28.6 

17 

20 

32 

29 

27 

18 

22 

32 

32 

28.6 

19 

32 

41 

38 

37 

20 

37 

41 

39 

39 

21 

38 

40 

37 

38.3 

22 

37 

38 

35 

36.6 

23 

30 

24 

37 

18 

12 

22.3 

25 

9 

12 

8 

10.6 

26 

10 

16 

15 

13.6 

27 

14 

22 

16 

17.3 

28 

14 

30 

27 

^23.6 

29 

25 

29 

26 

'26.6 

30 

8 

20 

13 

13.6 

31 

11 

31 

26 

22.6 

Average 

24.2 

29.8 

27.6 

27.5 

134         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR   DECEMBER,  1904 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

Maximum 

Minimum 

1 

22° 
29 

32° 
26 

30° 
23 

28° 
26 

2 

32° 

9° 

3 

22 

25.2 

23 

23.4 

28 

21 

4 

22 

30 

25 

25.6 

34 

17.5 

.   5 

23 

32 

29 

28 

37.5 

21.5 

6 

19 

30.5 

30 

28.5 

36 

16.1 

7 

24 

33 

31 

29.3 

37 

23 

8 

26 

36 

32 

31.3 

40 

26 

9 

26.8 

25 

22 

24.6 

32 

22 

10 

19 

25 

26 

23.3 

30 

19 

11 

20.5 

26 

24 

23.5 

36 

19 

12 

23 

27.2 

20.5 

23.5 

33.2 

20 

13 

9 

20 

17 

15.3 

24.5 

4.2 

14 

9 

20 

16 

15 

20 

7.5 

15 

7 

20 

16 

14.3 

22 

14.5 

16 

11 

22 

21 

18 

30 

10 

17 

22 

27.5 

20 

23.1 

29.5 

18.3 

18 

20.5 

29.9 

30 

26.8 

31.5 

12 

19 

22 

23 

17 

21.6 

31 

15.1 

20 

27 

28 

21 

25.3 

33 

13.9 

21 

11.9 

26 

23 

20.3 

30 

8 

22 

28 

43 

44 

38.3 

50 

20.1 

23 

50 

54 

36 

46.6 

55 

36 

24 

28 

26 

24 

26 

37.2 

24 

25 

25 

28 

28 

27 

29 

23.9 

26 

30 

36 

39.8 

35.2 

41 

27.5 

27 

36 

38 

10 

28 

47 

29 

28 

7.8 

10 

7 

8.2 

10 

6 

29 

8 
17.6 

21 
25 

23 
41 

30 
42.9 

3 

30 

37 

23 

31 

34.3 

36 

48 

41.3 

50 

35.2 

Average 

21.9 

28.4 

25.7 

25.2 

Air  Temperatures  for  December,  1907 

Only  two  records :    December  7,  42°,  and  December  8,  52°,  both 
at  noon. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         135 


AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  DECEMBER,  1913 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

•   Range 

Average 

1 

56° 

57° 

56° 

1° 

56.3° 

2 

53 

58 

57 

5 

56 

3 

56 

62 

60 

6 

59.3 

4 

45 

50 

42 

8 

45.7 

5 

35 

45 

43 

10 

41 

6 

42 

50 

47 

8 

46.3 

7 

34 

22 

17 

17 

24.3 

8 

27 

38 

26 

12 

30.3 

9 

35 

40 

37 

5 

37.3 

10 

35 

45  • 

35 

10 

38.3 

11 

35 

46 

39 

11 

40 

12 

39 

50 

4S 

11 

45.7 

13 

34 

54 

41 

20 

43 

14 

36 

52 

40 

16 

42.7 

15 

30 

40 

38 

10 

36 

16 

38 

46 

36 

10 

40 

17 

38 

40 

37 

3 

38.3 

18 

36 

42 

31 

11 

36.3 

19 

26 

43 

34 

17 

34.3 

20 

32 

38 

34 

6 

34.7 

21 

28 

38 

30 

10 

32 

22 

22 

33 

36 

14 

30.3 

23 

32 

36 

35 

4 

34.3 

24 

36 

39 

36 

3 

37 

25 

33 

36 

31 

5 

33.3 

26 

34 

37 

30 

7 

33.7 

27 

30 

33 

35 

5 

32.7 

28 

28 

34 

30 

6 

30.7 

29 

30 

31 

30 

1 

30.3 

30 

30 

30 

29 

1 

29.7 

31 

29 

31 

32 

3 

30.7 

Average 

35.3 

41.8 

37.1 

3S  1 

AVERAGE  AIR  TEMPERATURES  FOR  DECEMBER 


Year 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

For  the  month 

1899 

23.5° 

33.5° 

27.9° 

28.2° 

1900 

28.3 

34.4 

31.8 

31.7 

1901 

18.8 

27.1 

22 

22.6 

1902 

24.2 

29.8 

27.6 

27.5 

1904 

21.9 

28.4 

25.7 

25.2 

1913 

35.3 

41.8 

37.1 

38 

Average  for  six  years  .  . 

25.4 

32.5 

28.7 

28.8 

136         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

THE  WINDS 

Introduction 

Of  the  more  obvious  relations  of  the  winds  to  the  lake,  little 
need  be  said.  Their  effect  upon  the  lake  surface  is  evident  to  every- 
one. Their  effect  upon  the  plankton-scum,  the  calm  days  allowing 
the  minute  organizations  to  ascend  to  the  surface  and  the  more 
windy  days  keeping  them,  churned  up  with  the  upper  layers  of  the 
water,  and  the  effect  upon  the  temperature  of  the  water  of  differ- 
ent depths — the  calm  days  allowing  the  surface  layers  to  heat 
gradually  downward  while  the  windy  days  mix  up  waters  of  dif- 
ferent temperatures  and  break  up  definite  stratification — are  effects 
more  keenly  appreciated  by  students  of  these  special  problems.  It 
is  due  to  the  winds,  also,  that  we  have  more  or  less  fine  sand  of  a 
peculiar  sort  in  the  bottom,  this  having  been  blown  in  from  the 
neighboring  hills. 

It  is  doubtless  due  to  the  winds  that  the  lake  owes  the  presence 
and  peculiarities  of  its  plankton,  many  of  the  organisms  consti- 
tuting the  plankton  being  carried  to  the  lake  by  winds,  a  fact 
which  accounts  for  the  worldwide  distribution  of  some  of  the 
species. 

In  the  matter  of  keeping  records,  no  instruments  were  used, 
and  the  manner  of  recording  the  observations  varied  somewhat 
from  time  to  time  and  with  different  observers.  At  the  beginning 
of  the  work,  and  for  some  time  after  the  practice  of  taking  the 
temperatures  of  air  and  water  three  times  a  day  had  been  estab- 
lished, only  a  general  weather  record  for  the  day  was  made;  such 
as,  for  a  certain  date,  "northeast  wind,  changing  to  southeast,  and 
rain"  or  "wind  changing  to  north" ;  "clear" ;  "first  pleasant  day  of 
spring,  though  snowing" ;  "has  been  cold  with  east  wind  all  week," 
etc.  Later  on,  although  the  general  observations  were  continued, 
the  habit  was  formed  of  observing  and  recording  along  with  the 
temperature  observations,  the  condition  of  the  sky  and  the  direc- 
tion of  the  wind.  In  summing  up  results  and  arriving  at  conclu- 
sions, both  the  journal  and  the  periodic  observations  have  been  con- 
sulted and  taken  into  consideration.  In  the  absence  of  instru- 
ments of  precision  which  give  in  definite  units  the  force  and  di- 
rection of  the  wind,  the  general  method  which  gives  in  general 
terms  the  prevailing  "atmosphere"  of  the  day  is  about  as  good  as 
any,  and  is  certainly  in  any  case  indispensible  in  giving  data  for 
a  just  estimate  of  the  weather.  It  has  the  defect  of  taking  into 
consideration    only   the   more   remarkable   and    striking   weather 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         137 

phenomena,  leaving  the  gentler  or  less  obvious  processes  pass  by 
unobserved.  The  method  of  periodical  observations  on  the  other 
hand  is  likely  to  present  weather  as  a  series  of  disconnected  events, 
to  ignore  even  important  intervening  phenomena,  and  to  force  into 
prominence  unimportant  and  insignificant  details. 

Moreover,  so  far  as  minor  weather  events  are  concerned,  the 
position  of  the  observer  in  regard  to  the  lake  is  of  importance.  In 
the  sheltered  location  of  the  cottage  just  below  Arlington,  where 
many  of  the  observations  were  made,  it  would  be  difficult  to  ap- 
preciate the  force  and  keenness  of  west  and  northwest  winds, 
though  the  position  of  elevated  vanes  would  show  well  enough  in 
which  direction  the  wind  was  blowing;  on  the  other  hand,  the 
slightest  northeast,  east,  south  or  southeast  wind  would  be  im- 
mediately manifest.  At  Long  Point,  on  the  other  hand,  where 
many  of  the  observations  were  taken,  one  was  protected  and  kept 
from  a  full  realization  of  the  force  of  southeast  and  southerly 
winds.  Even  with  insti'uments  which  gave  unbiased  records,  a 
wind  on  the  leeward  side  of  the  lake  would  give  somewhat  different 
effects  than  the  same  wind  after  it  had  passed  to  the  windward  side 
and  had  been  tempered  by  the  water  surface ;  a  dry  wind  taking  up 
some  moisture  and  a  hot  wind  losing  some  of  its  heat. 

As  a  basis  for  the  wind  record,  where  only  the  journal  method 
was  used,  this  has  been  of  necessity  the  basis  for  calculation. 
Where  three  daily  observations  were  made,  these  have  been  used 
for  the  basis,  but  have  been  so  modified  by  the  journal  records  that 
the  number  of  records  for  each  month  is  exceedingly  variable; 
winds  shown  by  the  journal  as  having  occurred  between  observa- 
tion periods  have  been  counted  in,  while  on  the  other  hand  when 
the  records  show  the  same  wind  to  have  continued  throughout  sev- 
eral periods  of  observation  the  records  have  been  fused  into  one 
count  so  that  the  number  of  observations  for  any  one  month  is 
usually  more  or  fewer  than  93,  generally  fewer. 

A  prominent  feature  of  IMaxinkuckee  weather  is  the  frequent 
occurrence  of  light,  fitful  breezes  that  last  for  only  a  short  time 
and  die  away,  winds  that  do  not  belong  to  the  general  weather  of 
the  country  but  are  purely  local  phenomena.  That  such  should 
be  the  case  could  naturally  be  expected  from  the  nature  of  the 
country,  for  we  have  closely  juxtaposed  on  a  small  scale  as  high  a 
"difference  of  potential",  to  use  an  electrical  phrase,  as  could  well 
be  imagined :  a  lake  of  considerable  depth  and  withal  spring-fed, 
so  that  the  mass  of  water  does  not  heat  up  like  shallow  ponds,  but 
remains  comparatively  cool,  and,  not  a  great  way  to  the  west. 


138         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

barren  stretches  of  wind-blown  sand  which  on  hot  days  overheat 
the  layers  of  air  above  them  just  as  the  tendency  of  the  lake  is 
to  keep  the  air  above  lower  than  the  surrounding  air. 

Severe  wind-storms,  however,  are  rare,  and  tornadoes  almost 
unknown.  In  the  record  of  August  19,  1900,  occurs  the  entry: 
"Warm  this  morning  but  a  breeze  came  up  about  2  p.m.  from 
south,  then  changed  to  north  and  about  3  p.  m.  heavy  rain  came  up 
from  the  north  with  strong  wind,  thunder  and  lightning,  changing 
more  or  less  to  all  points  of  the  compass  and  continuing  until  about 
7  p.m.  Brilliant  lightning  in  the  south  until  late  at  night;  lake 
the  roughest  I  have  seen  it:  steamers  had  difficulty  making  land- 
ings, excursionists  got  drenched,  one  small  sailboat  capsized — two 
boys — no  damage.  During  p.  m.  temperature  fell  from  91.5°  to 
68.5°,  a  drop  of  23°."  Again  in  the  journal  record  of  September 
11,  1900,  occurs  the  note:  "Cloudy;  barometer  fell  rapidly  during 
morning;  strong  southwest  wind  began  about  9  a.  m.  and  continued 
until  8  or  9  p.  m.  Severest  wind  known  here  for  many  years ; 
several  trees  blown  down ;  lake  very  rough,  rain  followed  the  wind 
at  night."  A  pretty  severe  windstorm  occurred  early  in  the  sum- 
mer of  1908  and  blew  down  the  large  ice-houses  on  the  west  side 
of  the  lake.  This  appears  to  have  been  an  unusually  strong  wind ; 
none  of  the  dwelling  houses  in  the  immediate  vicinity,  however, 
was  injured  and  the  destruction  of  the  ice-houses  was  due  to  their 
being  empty  at  the  time  and  offering  much  surface  and  little  resist- 
ance to  the  wind. 

On  July  8,  1913,  there  was  a  very  severe  storm  soon  after  noon 
from  the  northwest,  a  small  tornado,  lasting  30  minutes.  It  be- 
gan as  a  severe  windstorm,  the  wind  being  full  of  cutting  sand.  It 
did  trifling  damage  to  some  buildings  and  a  great  deal  to  forests, 
the  woodlands  around  the  lake  being  strewn  with  fallen  timber — 
many  trees  being  uprooted,  and  many  twisted  off  from  10  to  20 
feet  above  the  ground.  The  storm  was  accompanied  by  some  rain, 
and  by  thunder  and  lightning,  the  lightning  striking  one  or  more 
trees  on  Long  Point.  A  few  miles  north  of  the  lake  there  was 
at  the  same  time  a  severe  hail-storm  which  cut  the  corn  into 
ribbons. 

On  the  other  hand,  though  local  calms  are  frequent,  periods  of 
widespread  calm  when  the  entire  surface  of  the  lake  lies  like 
an  unruffled  mirror,  are  rather  rare;  and  pretty  rough  conditions 
when  the  lake  is  covered  with  white-caps  and  it  is  very  unpleas- 
ant, though  not  especially  dangerous,  to  be  out  on  the  lake  with  a 
rowboat,  are  not  rare,  particularly  during  the  spring  and  autumn. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         139 

Character  of  various  poinds: — Everybody  has  pretty  definite  no- 
tions concerning  the  character  of  different  winds,  and  associates 
the  north  and  northwest  winds  with  storm  and  cold;  east  winds 
with  raw,  disagreeable  weather;  south  winds  with  balmy,  pleas- 
ant weather,  etc.  An  attempt  was  made  by  collecting  data  con- 
cerning each  wind  with  the  accompanying  weather,  to  get  more 
precisely  at  the  character  of  each  wind.  The  same  associations 
were  not  found  together  nearly  so  uniformly  as  expected;  it  is 
only  the  general  and  long  continued,  persistent  winds  that  have 
deep-seated  influence  on  the  weather.  The  light  local  surface 
winds  are  more  or  less  characterless. 

Calms: — These  are  generally  associated  with  pleasant  w^eather, 
although  there  are  not  infrequent  instances  where  they  are  noted 
during  cloudy  and  sprinkling  or  rainy  weather.  Calm  may  be 
associated  with  exceedingly  cold  weather,  and  in  some  cases  the 
cold  of  calm  fogs  is  rather  depressing.  Generally  during  the  win- 
ter, calm  weather  is  much  to  be  preferred  to  wind  from  any  di- 
rection whatever.  In  the  hot,  sultry  days  of  midsummer,  however, 
which  are  fortunately  rather  few,  the  calms  are  very  oppressive, 
and  light  winds  from  almost  any  direction  are  welcomed  as  a 
relief. 

During  the  summer  the  calms  are  usually  associated  with  fine, 
hazy  mornings.  During  the  autumn  and  spring  they  are  usually 
associated  with  low  fogs  on  the  marshes  and  certain  parts  of  the 
lake  and  with  heavy  frosts.  The  heavy  hoar-frosts  which  are  at 
times  such  a  striking  feature  of  the  region,  in  which  the  various 
trees  are  surrounded  by  a  halo  of  long  needle-like  white  crystals 
standing  at  right  angles  to  the  trunk  and  branches,  are  formed  only 
during  periods  of  almost  perfect  calm,  and  are  quickly  blown  off 
by  the  first  breeze  that  springs  up.  Calms  are  generally  character- 
istic of  the  mornings  and  evenings  of  fine  days  during  settled 
weather,  and  on  only  rather  rare  occasions  do  they  persist  through- 
out the  entire  day.  It  is  rather  unusual  for  the  winds  to  die  down 
to  a  calm  during  the  middle  of  the  day. 

North  ivinds  are  relatively  infrequent  at  the  lake.  The  lighter 
winds  may  be  associated  with  either  clear  or  cloudy  sky.  The 
stronger  winds,  especially  in  summer,  are  usually  though  not  al- 
ways accompanied  by  clouds,  and  frequently  storms.  During  late 
autumn  and  winter  and  early  spring,  they  are  usually  character- 
ized as  "raw,  cold,  and  disagreeable,"  especially  when  accompanied 
by  dampness,  drizzle  or  rain. 


140         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Northeast  winds: — Some  of  the  lighter  northeast  winds,  even 
as  late  as  October  and  November,  are  recorded  as  warm  and  pleas- 
ant, and  accompanied  by  bright,  clear  weather.  These,  however, 
are  exceptional  cases,  and  generally  speaking,  are  among  the  most 
disagreeable  winds  at  the  lake.  Northeast  winds  are  usually  raw, 
cold  and  disagreeable,  and  are  noteworthy  for  their  persistency, 
usually  lasting  from  one  to  several  days  when  well  under  way, 
and  during  the  colder  season  often  accompanied  by  cutting  sleet. 
They  often  bring  heavy  snowstorms.  In  April  and  May  they  fre- 
quently bring  disagreeable  and  persistent  drizzles. 

East  winds  are  relatively  infrequent  at  the  lake  and  are  almost 
always  associated  with  cloudy  skies,  and  during  the  winter  are 
often  accompanied  by  a  heavy  fall  of  snow.  Most  of  those  occur- 
ring during  the  summer  are  simply  noted  without  any  special  char- 
acterization ;  those  mentioned  during  winter  records  are  usually 
noted  as  ''cold,  stormy,  disagreeable."  Winds  from  the  southeast 
are  among  the  most  com_mon  about  the  lake;  however,  they  rarely 
attain  to  the  dignity  of  winds,  and  are  almost  always  referred  to 
in  the  notes  as  "breezes" — light,  brisk  or  stiff,  as  the  case  may  be, 
but  very  rarely  winds.  They  are,  indeed,  the  next  thing  to  a  calm, 
and,  in  the  fairest  and  best  sorts  of  weather,  if  it  is  not  actually 
calm  in  the  morning  the  calm  is  usually  replaced  by  a  light  south- 
east breeze.  They  are  usually  characteristic  of  fine  mornings. 
They  are  less  frequent  in  the  evening  and  not  common  at  noon. 
Rarely  they  persist  through  the  day.  The  stronger  breezes  or 
winds  from  the  southeast  may  be  accompanied  by  clouds  or  rains 
in  summer  or  by  snow  in  winter,  but  this  is  rather  exceptional. 
Usually  they  are  more  pleasant  than  winds  from  any  other  direc- 
tion. One  noted  December  18,  1900,  is  characterized  as  a  "cold, 
penetrating  raw  wind"  and  one  of  March  12  is  mentioned  as  hav- 
ing "become  almost  a  gale,  cold,  raw  and  disagreeable" ;  but  these 
are  highly  unusual  cases. 

Sonth  winds  are  much  like  southeast  winds  in  character,  but 
are  not  so  common.  They  are  generally  gentle  breezes  and  when 
they  rise  to  the  dignity  of  strong  winds,  are  frequently  accom- 
panied by  mild  sprinkles  or  in  extreme  cases  by  thunder,  lightning 
and  heavy  showers  of  rain.  It  is  doubtless  on  account  of  the  gen- 
tleness of  the  south  and  southeastern  breezes  that  the  great  ma- 
jority of  the  duckweeds  of  the  lake  find  their  harbor  in  that  por- 
tion of  the  lake,  only  a  few,  being  the  progeny  of  individuals  driven 
out  at  rare  intervals  by  southern  storms,  finding  harbor  in  other 
portions  of  the  shore  behind  sheltering  rushes. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


141 


Southtvest  winds: — The  southwest  wind  from  our  point  of  ob- 
servation was  always  a  land  wind,  and  the  fact  that  it  always  came 
from  stretches  of  solid  earth,  whispering  through  grasses,  rustling 
through  leaves,  or  roaring  through  trees,  made  it  impossible  to 
mete  out  to  it  the  same  measure  of  judgment  as  is  given  to  the 
other  winds  above  mentioned  which  came  across  stretches  of  water. 
It  is  frequently  mentioned  in  the  notes  as  noisy,  or  howling,  and 
was  associated  with  the  moaning  or  roaring  winds  which  presage 
the  coming  of  winter.  This,  however,  was  merely  accidental,  and 
from  the  opposite  side  of  the  lake  would  apply  with  still  greater 


Cutter    Drill,    Culver    Summer    Naval    School.      Lake    Maxinkuckee    covers   an    area    of    1,854 
acres,  which   is  ample  for   Naval  drills,   and  yet   small   enoush   for  safe  supervision. 


force  to  northwest  winds.  Disregarding  the  point  of  observation, 
however,  southwest  winds  have  certain  pretty  constant  character- 
istics. They  are  generally  a  good  deal  stronger  than  those  from 
the  southeast  or  south,  and  in  the  notes  taken  at  the  time  of  obser- 
vation are  usually  referred  to  as  "winds"  instead  of  breezes — light, 
brisk  or  strong,  as  the  case  may  be.  They  are  frequently  asso- 
ciated with  clouds  and  rain,  often  with  heavy  storms.  They  are 
not  limited  to  any  pai'ticular  time  of  day  but  are  liable  to  spring 
up  at  any  time.  They  do  not  have  the  persistency  of  the  northeast 
winds  and  usually  do  not  last  much  more  than  a  half  day  or  day. 


142         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

They  are  generally  more  prevalent  during  the  colder  seasons  than 
during  the  summer,  but  even  in  the  winter  are  not  often  referred 
to  as  being  particularly  raw,  cold  or  disagreeable. 

West  winds: — These  are  relatively  infrequent  at  the  lake  and 
are  much  more  prevalent  during  the  winter  than  in  summer.  They 
are  usually  moderately  strong  winds.  They  are  not  generally  of 
great  duration,  though  they  occasionally  last  from  12  to  18  or  24 
hours,  and  they  are  not  especially  associated  with  any  particular 
time  of  day.  They  are  often  associated  with  clouds  and  storms, 
and  in  the  winter,  with  snow.  In  cold  weather  they  are  often  raw 
and  searching. 

Northivest  ivinds  are  rather  frequent  at  the  lake  and  vary 
greatly  in  strength,  sometimes  being  light  breezes  but  more  often 
rather  brisk  to  strong  winds.  They  are  rather  infrequent  in  the 
morning  but  usually  spring  up  some  time  during  the  day.  When 
strong  winds  they  are  usually  markedly  disagreeable  and  are  often 
associated  with  clouds  and  rain  or  snow.  In  the  winter  they  are 
cold  and  chilling  but  not  so  persistent  and  depressing  as  winds 
from  the  northeast. 

Relative  duration  and  frequency  of  winds: — The  direction  of 
the  wind  during  the  summer  of  1899  was  observed  223  times, 
morning,  noon  and  night,  as  follows:  Easterly  90,  southerly  47, 
northerly  34,  westerly  31,  calm  21.  During  the  summer  of  1900 
the  result  of  200  observations  was  as  follows :  Southerly  66,  east- 
erly 60,  westerly  31,  northerly  22,  calm  21.  During  the  summer 
of  1903  the  result  of  172  observations  was  as  follows:  Easterly 
59,  westerly  45,  northerly  32,  southerly  21,  calm  15. 

Summary  of  595  observations  during  three  summers,  1899, 
1900  and  1903  as  follows: 

Easterly  winds    209 

Southerly  winds  134 

Westerly  winds 107 

Northerly  winds    88 

Calm   57 

Total  595 

Observations  so  far  made  show  that  the  easterly  winds  prevail 
during  the  summer  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         143 

Winds  for  a  year: — In  order  to  get  data  for  the  winds  of  an 
entire  year,  the  period  extending  from  July  1,  1900,  to  June  30, 
1901,  was  chosen,  this  being  the  period  during  which  the  fullest 
records  were  kept.     The  tables  will  explain  themselves : 


Calms 

North 

Noi 

^THEAST 

East 

Southeast 

Month 

c 
'3 
S 

i 

"S 

> 

< 

•3 

a 

g 
o 

g 
o 

1^ 

s 

e 

> 

< 

"3 

M 

'3 
o 

§ 
o 

M 
S 

> 

& 

TS 
^ 

O 

M 

c 
•3 

O 

§ 
o 

bt 
B 

> 

< 

1 

.S 

a 

o 

8 

M 
B 

'3 

a 
> 

3 

o 

July,  1900 

0 

3 

1 

5 

2 

0 

2 

0 

4 

2 

0 

0 

0 

2 

3 

1 

1 

0 

5 

6 

3 

1 

3 

13 

August,  1900 

2 

1 

3 

7 

0 

0 

4 

2 

6 

3 

0 

1 

1 

5 

2 

0 

0 

2 

4 

1 

0 

0 

0 

1 

September,  1900. 

1 

1 

3 

6 

0 

0 

1 

1 

2 

2 

1 

0 

0 

3 

2 

0 

0 

0 

2 

4 

0 

0 

1 

5 

October,  1900.... 

3 

7 

9 

20 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

2 

2 

1 

6 

3 

2 

3 

1 

9 

7 

3 

2 

3 

15 

November,  1900. 

6 

6 

10 

23 

0 

1 

1 

0 

2 

1 

3 

0 

2 

5 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

4 

3 

3 

0 

10 

December,  1900. 

4 

5 

5 

15 

0 

0 

0 

1 

1 

2 

0 

1 

1 

4 

1 

2 

1 

0 

4 

8 

2 

3 

2 

15 

January, 1901 

6 

0 

3 

7 

16 

0 

1 

0 

0 

1 

2 

1 

1 

0 

4 

1 

1 

1 

0 

3 

4 

6 

3 

0 

13 

February,  1901... 

10 

2 

6 

6 

24 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

1 

1 

1 

3 

2 

1 

1 

2 

6 

2 

4 

1 

0 

7 

March,  1901 

7 

3 

1 

4 

15 

3 

1 

1 

0 

5 

3 

3 

3 

0 

9 

0 

0 

0 

2 

2 

2 

3 

3 

0 

8 

April,  1901 

7 

3 

6 

4 

20 

0 

3 

1 

0 

4 

4 

7 

7 

4 

22 

2 

0 

1 

3 

6 

4 

1 

1 

3 

9 

May,  1901 

7 

2 

5 

2 

16 

2 

3 

3 

0 

8 

5 

5 

5 

6 

21 

0 

2 

0 

0 

2 

4 

1 

1 

3 

9 

June, 1901 

7 

2 

11 

0 

20 

0 

1 

0 

0 

1 

5 

3 

3 

24 

1 
17 

12 
96 

2 

18 

2 
11 

1 

9 

0 
10 

5 

48 

4 
1^ 

4 
30 

6 

24 

2 

17 

16 

Total    

60 

18 

55 

54 

187 

7 

10 

13 

4 

34 

30 

25 

1?1 

South 

Southwest 

West 

Northwest 

Month 

M 
B 

'3 

§ 

o 

.5 

E 
O 
> 

c3 

-a 

< 

bl 

B 

'3 

O 

a 
1 

bl 
^B 

'3 

■a 

"s 
1 

bC 

'g 

u 
0 

c 

8 

bD 

E 

'3 
o 
> 

< 

"^ 
1 

bC 
_B 
'3 

o 

B 

8 

bC 

B 

'3 
> 

>> 

ci 

July,  1900 

5 

0 

5 

6 

16 

3 

4 

3 

0 

10 

2 

1 

0 

0 

3 

0 

3 

0 

0 

3 

August,  1900 

4 

0 

0 

6 

10 

2 

1 

0 

0 

3 

1 

0 

0 

0 

1 

2 

1 

2 

0 

5 

September,  1900 

1 

1 

2 

2 

6 

3 

2 

3 

1 

9 

2 

2 

0 

0 

4 

2 

0 

1 

0 

3 

October,  1900 

1 

4 

1 

4 

10 

0 

1 

1 

0 

2 

1 

1 

0 

0 

2 

2 

1 

0 

2 

5 

November,  1900 

1 

2 

0 

3 

6 

8 

4 

1 

1 

14 

5 

6 

3 

1 

15 

2 

5 

2 

0 

9 

December,  1900 

1 

3 

1 

0 

5 

3 

4 

5 

1 

13 

3 

3 

3 

1 

10 

3 

8 

4 

1 

16 

January, 1901 

5 

4 

3 

0 

12 

4 

3 

8 

0 

15 

2 

1 

9 

2 

14 

4 

6 

4 

1 

15 

February,  1901 

1 

1 

0 

0 

2 

6 

5 

2 

0 

13 

1 

4 

3 

2 

10 

4 

4 

7 

2 

17 

March,  1901 

2 

1 

6 

3 

12 

7 

7 

4 

4 

22 

1 

1 

1 

1 

4 

2 

1 

6 

3 

12 

April,  1901 

1 

0 

0 

0 

1 

0 

1 

0 

0 

1 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

5 

5 

5 

1 

16 

May,  1901 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

0 

2 

1 

0 

3 

1 

0 

0 

0 

1 

3 

1 

4 

2 

10 

June,  1901 

1 

1 

1 

0 

3 

7 

6 

3 

1 

17 

0 

1 

1 

0 

2 

3 

5 

6 

0 

13 

Total 

23 

17 

19 

24 

83 

43 

40 

31 

8 

122 

19 

20 

20 

7 

66 

32 

40 

40 

12 

124 

10-^17618 


144         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


TABLE  OF  WINDS  FROM  JULY  1,  1900,  TO  JUNE  30,  1901 


Month 

Calms 

N. 

N.E. 

E. 

S.E. 

S. 

S.W. 

W. 

N.W. 

Total 

July,  1900 

5 

7 
6 
20 
23 
15 
16 
24 
15 
20 
16 
20 

4 
6 

2 
0 
2 
1 
1 
0 
5 
4 
8 
1 

2 

5 

3 

6 

5 

4 

4 

3 

9 

22 

21 

12 

5 

4 
2 

9 
0 
4 
3 
6 
2 

6 
2 

5 

13 

1 

5 

15 

10 

15 

13 

7 

8 

9 

9 

16 

16 

10 
6 

10 
6 
5 

12 
2 

12 
1 
0 
3 

10 
3 

- 

14 
13 
15 
13 
22 
1 
3 
17 

3 

1 
4 
2 

15 

10 

14 

10 

4 

0 

1 

2 

3 

5 

3 

5 

9 

16 

15 

17 

12 

16 

10 

13 

61 

August,  1900 

42 

September,  1900 

October,  1900 

November,  1900 

December,  1900 

January, 1901 

February, 1901 

Maroh,  1901 

April,  1901 

40 
69 
84 
83 
93 
82 
89 
79 

May,  1901 

June, 1901 

70 
89 

Total 

187 

34 

96 

48 

121 

83 

122 

66 

124 

881 

Per  Cent 

21.2 

3.8 

10.8 

5.4 

13.7 

9.4 

13.7 

7.5 

13.7 

RAIN 

The  number  of  rains  observed  from  July  1,  1899,  to  September 
15,  1909,  is  277.  This  number  is  of  Httle  significance,  however,  as 
there  are  numerous  gaps  or  periods  during  which  the  weather 
at  the  lake  was  not  under  observation. 

Taking  the  year  from  July  1,  1900,  to  June  30,  1901,  the  year 
for  which  we  have  a  complete  set  of  observations,  the  following 
is  the  record  of  rains  at  the  lake :  July,  7 ;  August,  5 ;  September, 
9 ;  October,  5 ;  November,  8 ;  December,  3 ;  January,  3 ;  February, 
0;  March,  10;  April,  10;  May,  11;  June,  9;  total,  80.  From  this 
it  appears  that  May  is  the  most  showery  month,  and  February 
the  least. 

Of  these  rains,  40  are  marked  as  ''rains",  31  as  ''sprinkles",  and 
5  as  "drizzles",  the  character  of  the  4  others  not  being  designated. 

Twenty  are  reported  as  occurring  during  the  forenoon,  25  in 
the  afternoon,  and  25  during  the  night.  The  10  others  are  continu- 
ations of  other  showers,  or  parts  interrupted  by  brief  periods  of 
calm.  None  of  the  rains  recorded  for  this  year  was  continuous  for 
24  hours  but  each  usually  more  or  less  fitful. 

Among  the  especially  heavy  rains  was  one  from  the  southwest 
on  July  24,  from  10  a.  m.  till  noon,  and  again  from  4  to  9  p.  m., 
very  hard  from  5  to  6  p.  m.  and  from  7  to  8  p.  m.  This  storm 
raised  the  lake  2.5  inches.  Outside  of  the  particular  year  under 
discussion  there  is  a  record  (Oct.  27,  1899,)  of  a  continuous  rain 
of  "all  day  and  all  night,  36  hours,  raised  the  lake  5  inches" ;  and 
another  on  Dec.  11,  of  the  same  year  of  a  rain  24  hours. 

There  is  another  record  of  a  severe  thunder-storm  on  July  1, 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         145 

1903,  during  which  at  least  3  inches  of  rain  fell,  raising  the  lake 
8^  inches. 

In  July  of  the  same  year  there  was  a  severe  rainstorm  with  a 
total  fall  of  fully  2  inches. 

Again  on  August  27,  1903,  there  was  a  heavy  fall  of  rain  during 
the  night  which  caused  the  lake  to  rise  about  2|  inches.  Rain  was 
abundant  during  this  season  so  that  the  level  of  the  lake  was  higher 
than  usual.  On  May  11,  it  rained  5  inches  in  12  hours  and  on 
January  22,  1906,  it  is  recorded  that  it  "has  been  raining  for  a 
week  but  that  the  lake  is  18  inches  below  high  water  mark,  al- 
though it  has  raised  3  inches." 

We  have  few  data  in  regard  to  the  directions  from  which 
storms  come.  Of  35  records  one  storm  is  recorded  as  having  oc- 
curred during  calm  weather,  5  storms  came  from  the  north,  1  from 
the  northeast,  3  from  the  east,  6  from  the  southeast,  3  from  the 
south,  10  from  the  southwest,  2  from  the  w^est,  and  4  from  the 
northwest. 

The  following  is  a  table  of  the  rainfall  in  inches  at  Logansport 
for  the  year  1902  : 

January    1 .  00  July   4 .  84 

February    1.10  August    2 .  55 

March 2 .  64  September    5 .  02 

April 2.13  October   2 .  37 

May   4.27  November  3.92 

June    10 .  54  December   3 .  48 

This  makes  a  total  of  43.86  inches  of  rainfall  for  the  year. 
As  Logansport  is  only  32  miles  distant  from  Lake  IMaxinkuckee 
the  rainfall  at  the  two  places  is  probably  approximately  the  same. 

FROST 

Economically  considered,  one  of  the  most  important  questions 
concerning  any  particular  region  is  the  average  date  of  the  last 
killing  frost  of  spiing  and  the  first  of  autumn.  This  question  is 
of  importance  not  only  to  the  farmer  and  gardener  but  also  to  the 
lover  of  flower-beds  and  house-plants  as  well,  and  it  has  a  direct 
and  important  bearing  upon  the  aquatic  life  of  a  region  such  as 
Lake  Maxinkuckee. 

Taking  the  weather  records  for  the  whole  period  under  observa- 
tion, the  number  of  frosts  recorded  is  not  many,  there  having  been 
only  99  noted.  This  is  largely  due  to  the  fact  that  it  is  only  the 
first  and  last  killing  frosts  that  are  of  especial  importance  or  in- 
terest to  people  in  general,  and  also  to  the  fact  that  a  frost  is  not 


146         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

an  especially  attention-arresting  phenomenon  like  a  rain  or  a 
thunder  shower,  and  is  likely  to  be  overlooked,  especially  in  the 
dead  of  winter  in  snowy  weather. 

In  considering  frosts,  especially  first  and  last  frosts,  it  is  nec- 
essary to  distinguish  between  local  and  general  frosts,  or  to  be 
specific,  as  to  locality ;  for  there  is  a  remarkable  difference  between 
closely  neighboring  areas  in  regard  to  susceptibility  to  frost.  The 
low,  flat,  extensive  peaty  or  mucky  plains,  and  various  sphagnous 
bogs,  such  as  Hawk's  marsh,  usually  have  their  early  fall  frosts 
from  three  weeks  to  a  month  before  the  upland,  and  quite  possibly 
the  tender,  succulent  herbage  that  they  produce  is  much  more  sus- 
ceptible to  the  efi'ect  of  light  frosts  than  the  firmer  growths  of  more 
solid  soil.  Certain  plants  such  as  cucumber  vines,  touch-me-not, 
fireweed,  etc.,  often  succumb  and  turn  black  at  the  touch  of  a  frost 
so  light  as  to  escape  ordinary  observation.  The  upland,  just  about 
the  lake,  is  especially  favored  by  its  freedom  from  killing  frosts 
in  late  spring  and  early  autumn,  and  peaches  and  other  delicate 
orchard  fruits,  where  planted  and  properly  cared  for,  do  exceed- 
ingly well. 

The  first  autumnal  frost  noted  about  the  lake  in  1900  was  on 
October  17;  the  first  in  1901  was  November  23,  the  first  in  1902 
was  September  14.  In  1904,  the  first  record  was  October  23,  but 
the  lake  had  not  been  under  observation  for  some  time  and  there 
were  quite  certainly  frosts  much  before  this.  In  1906,  a  frost 
was  reported  on  August  28,  but  this  was  in  the  flat  lowlands  back 
from  the  lake.  The  lake  was  under  constant  observation  at  the 
time,  and  no  frost,  nor  sign  of  any,  was  observed  at  the  lake  until 
Ocotber  29.  In  1907,  again  when  the  lake  was  under  constant  ob- 
servation, the  first  frost  was  reported  for  the  region  on  Septem- 
ber 25,  but  none  was  actually  seen  at  the  lake  until  October  10. 
The  first  frost  in  the  fall  of  1913  was  noted  on  the  morning  of  Sep- 
tember 23,  killing  sweet  potato  vines  and  other  delicate  vegetation. 

Of  the  late  frosts  of  spring  there  are  fewer  records.  In  the 
spring  of  1901,  for  which  we  have  complete  records,  the  last  frost 
occurred  April  20.     In  1903  there  is  a  record  of  a  frost  on  May  2. 

In  the  winter  of  1900-1901,  for  which  we  have  complete  rec- 
ords, 39  frosts  were  observed;  1  for  October;  7  for  November;  11 
for  December;  7  for  January;  3  for  February;  3  for  March,  and 
7  for  April.  Frosts  were  liable  to  occur  any  clear,  calm  night  dur- 
ing the  winter.  In  addition  to  the  ordinary  frost  known  every- 
where, several  modifications  were  common  about  the  lake.  Vapors 
arising  from  airholes  in  the  ice  were  often  congealed  at  the  edge 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         147 

of  the  airhole  in  the  form  of  long  plume-like  or  feathery  objects. 
Indeed,  on  one  occasion  after  Lost  Lake  had  entirely  frozen  over,  a 
dense  steam  arose  from  the  surface  of  the  ice  and  much  of  it 
congealed  in  the  shape  of  long,  feathery  crystals. 

Hoar-frost,  which  is  frequent  in  all  locations  where  there  are 
large,  exposed  bodies  of  water  such  as  near  Lake  Michigan  and 
the  Mississippi  River,  is  of  rather  frequent  occurrence  at  Lake  Max- 
inkuckee and  occasionally  appears  in  great  beauty,  coating  trees 
thickly  and  entirely  with  long,  needle-shaped  crystals  almost  an 
inch  long.  The  rising  sun  melts  the  bases  of  the  crystals  first  and 
the  awakening  morning  breezes  stirring  among  the  bejewelled 
branches  shake  the  frost  crystals  down  in  great  multitudes,  reduc- 
ing the  tree  in  a  moment  from  one  of  the  most  magnificent  spec- 
tacles to  one  quite  commonplace,  but  producing  for  the  moment  a 
cataract  of  sparkling  crystals  as  indescribably  splendid  as  it  is 
evanescent. 

Frosts  affect  the  life  of  the  lake  in  various  ways  and  through 
various  channels.  One  of  the  first  and  very  interesting  effects  is 
that  of  a  decided  change  in  the  methods  of  the  anglers.  During 
late  summer  and  early  fall  grasshoppers  constitute  the  principal 
and  most  popular  bait  used  by  the  anglers.  As  the  season  ad- 
vances grasshoppers  gain  in  popularity  so  long  as  readily  obtain- 
able. It  is  only  when  the  first  frosts  have  come  and  chilled  the 
grasshoppers  so  that  they  can  no  longer  be  easily  found  that  the 
anglers  abandon  their  use  and  turn  to  other  lures. 

Then,  again,  the  early  frosts  kill  down  the  patches  of  delicate 
vegetation  such  as  touch-me-nots,  Eleocharis  interstincta,  etc.,  and 
aflfect  the  Scirpus  and  other  aquatic  plants  that  extend  above  the 
surface  of  the  water  thus  killing  or  driving  away  the  various  in- 
sects that  live  upon  or  frequent  such  plants.  The  same  frosts  act 
in  the  same  way  on  the  marsh  vegetation  along  the  shore  and  the 
trees  and  shrubs  which  overhang  the  banks.  The  quantity  of  in- 
sect life  living  upon,  in,  or  with  this  vegetation  and  which  falls 
into  the  lake  with  the  falling  leaves  or  on  account  of  the  chill,  or 
which  is  driven  away  every  year,  is  enormous. 

SNOW 

Introduction 

Our  record  of  snowstorms,  extending  from  March,  1899,  to 
February  1,  1914,  with  important  omissions  for  some  years,  makes 
mention  of  194  snowstorms,  varying  in  all  degrees  of  intensity  from 


148         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

light  flurries  to  blinding  storms.  The  earliest  snow  recorded  in 
any  year  was  that  of  October  10,  1906,  and  the  latest,  at  the  ending 
of  winter,  was  a  light  snow,  sufficient,  however,  to  whiten  roofs, 
of  May  4,  1907.  The  last  snow  of  the  winter  of  1898-1899  was 
on  March  31;  the  snowy  period  of  the  winter  of  1899-1900  was 
from  November  2  to  April  12 ;  that  of  1900-1901  from  November 
7  to  April  21.  Records  for  the  fall  of  1901  are  incomplete,  the  first 
snow  recorded  being  on  December  9,  and  the  latest  of  the  spring 
of  1902  on  April  12.  The  first  snow  of  the  winter  of  1902-3  was 
November  26,  and  the  latest  April  3.  The  record  for  the  winter 
of  1904-1905  is  incomplete;  the  earliest  snow  in  the  fall  was  on 
November  8,  but  there  are  no  records  for  the  following  spring. 
For  the  autumn  of  1905  an  especially  heavy  snow  occurred  Novem- 
ber 25.  In  the  fall  of  1906  a  very  heavy  snow  began  October  10, 
and  continued  until  10  inches  fell.  This  is  the  earliest  and  most 
noteworthy  snowfall  shown  by  our  records.  The  latest  snow  in 
the  spring  of  1907,  as  already  stated,  was  on  May  4.  The  winter 
of  1906-1907  is,  therefore,  noteworthy  in  that  it  had  both  the 
earliest  and  the  latest  snowfall  in  the  years  covered  by  our  records. 

The  first  snow  in  the  fall  of  1913  came  on  the  night  of  October 
21 ;  the  next  on  the  evening  of  October  29.  It  snowed  again  on 
November  8  and  10,  a  total  of  12  inches  falling,  and  drifting  con- 
siderably, but  all  disappearing  by  the  18th.  No  more  fell  until 
December  7  when  it  snowed  all  day.  On  the  20th  about  one  inch 
fell,  and  on  the  22d  there  was  snow  and  rain.  On  January  2, 
1914,  it  snowed  all  day  but  melted  as  rapidly.  Snow  fell  on  the 
3d  and  4th  and  again  all  day  on  the  31st,  when  the  first  sleighing 
was  possible. 

Depth  of  snow: — Most  of  the  snowstorms  recorded  were  rather 
light  flurries,  with  less  than  ^  inch  of  snowfall.  Records  of  1,  2, 
and  3  inches  of  snowfall  are  fairly  frequent.  There  are  2  rec- 
ords of  4  inches  each,  one  each  of  5^,  6,  and  7  inches,  2  of  10 
inches,  and  one  of  the  maximum  snowfall  of  18  inches,  which  was 
recorded  for  March  5  and  6,  1899. 

Direction  of  snoivstorms: — Record  of  the  direction  from  which 
the  heavier  snowstorms  came  was  kept.  Of  such  a  record  for 
33  storms,  5  came  from  the  north,  7  from  the  northeast,  3  from 
the  east,  2  from  the  southeast,  1  from  the  south,  5  from  the  south- 
west, 1  from  the  west  and  9  from  the  northwest,  thus  showing 
the  northwest  to  be  the  prevailing  direction  from  which  snows 
come,  the  northeast  being  a  rather  close  second.  The  northeast 
storms  hang  on  longer,  and  the  snows  they  bring  are  generally  sup- 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         149 

posed  to  stay  on  longer,  most  likely  because  the  snowstorms  from 
that  direction  are  more  persistent  and  heavier. 

Forms  of  snoiv: — One  of  the  most  common  forms  of  snow  at 
the  lake  is  that  of  firm,  white,  little  pellets  like  minute  snowballs, 
a  sort  of  form  somewhat  intermediate  between  genuine  snow  and 
sleet,  and  coming  down  with  considerable  force  and  directness; 
this  may  harden  at  times  into  genuine  icy  cutting  sleet.  This 
pellet  snow  contains  more  water  and  less  enmeshed  air  than  the 
feathery  flakes,  and  it  packs  more  tightly,  an  inch  of  it  being 
equivalent  to  2  or  3  inches  of  the  lighter  snow.  The  feathery 
flakes  are  common,  especially  in  little  snow  flurries.  The  loose 
flakes,  sometimes  adhering  in  large  masses,  are  the  common  forms 
in  the  great  snowstorms  which  result  in  the  deeper  snows. 

The  following  is  the  record  of  the  snows  for  the  winter  of 
1900-1901,  the  year  for  which  there  is  a  complete  set  of  observa- 
tions. The  first  snow  of  the  winter,  as  given  above,  was  on  the 
night  of  November  7,  when  a  rain,  which  began  at  8  o'clock  in  the 
evening,  changed  into  snow.  It  snowed  the  next  night  nearly  all 
night  giving  a  total  snowfall  of  3  inches.  From  this  time  on,  snow- 
storms were  of  frequent  occurrence,  there  being  11  in  November, 
9  in  December,  16  in  January,  13  in  February,  11  in  March  and 
2  in  April.  The  last  well-marked  storm,  that  of  April,  was  un- 
usually unseasonable;  the  hazel  and  many  other  plants  were  fully 
in  bloom,  and  the  tender  verdure  of  spring,  just  beginning  to  put 
forth,  was  covered  f  of  an  inch  with  fluffy,  sticky  snow.  No  harm 
to  vegetation  was  caused,  however,  as  the  weather  was  fairly  warm 
and  the  snow  soon  melted  off.  The  early  snow  of  October  10,  1906, 
was  still  more  unseasonable  and  striking  in  its  effects,  though  not 
so  much  damage  resulted  as  would  have  been  the  result  of  a  single 
light  frost.  It  had  snowed  heavily  during  the  night  and  continued 
until  10  a.  m.,  part  of  the  time  the  snow  coming  down  in  remark- 
ably large  masses  composed  of  adhering  flakes.  It  took  the  birds 
entirely  by  surprise.  A  flock  of  tree  swallows  twittered  musically 
from  the  snowclad  telephone  wires,  and  crickets  were  chirping 
underneath  the  snow.  The  houseflies,  which  were  still  present 
in  considerable  abundance  out  of  doors,  settled  thickly  on  the 
windov/  screens  of  the  hotel,  and  the  yellow-rumped  warblers,  then 
migrating,  alighted  on  the  screens  and  ate  the  flies.  At  one  time 
there  were  3  of  the  warblers  on  a  window  screen  at  the  same  time. 
About  all  the  unoccupied  cottages  around  the  lake  these  warblers 
took  refuge  on  the  porches  underneath  the  roof  as  if  semi-domesti- 
cated.    The  golden-crowned  kinglets,  like  the  warblers,  took  refuge 


150         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

in  porches,  and  late  dragon-flies  flew  about  over  the  snow.  The 
evening  of  the  day  closed  in  dark  and  snowy,  and  it  snowed  pretty 
hard  all  night,  leaving  10  inches  of  snow  on  a  level  on  undisturbed 
places.  The  snow  settled  thickly  on  the  leaves  of  poplar  trees, 
which  were  still  green,  and  the  weight  in  many  instances  broke 
off  the  boughs. 

Relation  of  snoiv  to  the  lake: — During  the  parts  of  early  winter 
before  the  ground  is  covered  with  snow,  a  considerable  amount  of 
sand  from  the  dry,  barren  sand  hills  about  the  lake  is  driven  on 
to  the  ice  and  subsequently  finds  its  way  to  the  lake  bottom.  A  cov- 
ering of  snow  over  the  surrounding  country  of  course  puts  a  stop 
to  this  process. 

A  still  more  marked  effect  is  that  produced  by  a  thick  blanket 
of  snow  upon  the  ice  of  the  lake.  Among  the  most  striking  of  the 
phenomena  of  the  ice  is  its  expanding  and  contracting  on  the  clear, 
warm  days  and  cold  nights  of  winter ;  great  cracks  opening  in  cer- 
tain places  by  the  contracting  of  the  ice,  and  the  ice  being  heaved  up 
in  others,  because  of  the  expansion,  until  it  forms  high  rooflike 
ridges.  All  these  movements  are  accompanied  by  sharp  cracking 
and  booming  like  the  firing  of  distant  cannon.  These  movements 
are  the  cause  of  the  shoving  up  of  the  ice-beach,  and  are  said  to 
have  been  quite  striking  during  the  winter  of  1899-1900.  They 
were  well  under  way  during  the  winter  of  1900-1901  when  a  heavy 
blanket  of  snow  covered  the  ice,  the  great  weight  of  the  snow 
weighing  heavily  on  the  ice,  and  by  protecting  it  from  alternate 
contractions  and  expansions,  put  a  stop  to  its  movements. 

FOG 

General  fogs  are  rather  uncommon  about  the  lake;  they  are 
very  local  in  their  nature  and  are  confined  to  certain  localities  for 
the  greater  part.  The  dry,  sandy  soil,  so  common  in  the  higher 
ground,  warms  up  readily  during  the  day  and  is  unfavorable  to  the 
formation  of  fog.  On  the  other  hand,  the  extensive  level,  peaty 
tracts  lying  in  the  country  west  of  the  lake  are  especially  favorable 
to  the  formation  of  fogs ;  so  are  Green's  marsh  and  the  marsh  at 
the  north  end  of  Lost  Lake,  Inlet  marsh,  and  the  region  along  the 
outlet.  Lost  Lake,  which  warms  up  more  readily  on  account  of  its 
shallowness,  and  also  cools  more  readily  at  night,  is  more  favorable 
to  the  formation  of  fogs  than  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  and  when  small, 
local  fogs  are  formed  on  the  lake  they  are  usually  formed  over 
stretches  of  shallow  water,  such  as  Aubeenaubee  or  Outlet  bay. 
The  fogs  of  the  flat,  peaty  plains  are  generally  very  chilly  and  de- 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         151 

pressing.  How  many  fogs  one  would  record  in  any  given  length  of 
time  would  depend  much  upon  the  point  of  observation.  Those 
herein  recorded  were  observed  from  Long  Point,  and  of  these  many 
were  seen  at  a  greater  or  less  distance.  Fogs  are  almost  or  entirely 
absent  during  the  summer,  most  common  through  the  autumn  and 
spring  months  and  in  early  winter.  One  of  the  conditions  neces- 
sary for  their  formation  is  a  calm  or  very  little  movement  of 
air,  as  winds  blow  forming  fogs  away.  During  the  year  between 
July  1,  1900,  and  June  30,  1901,  twenty-nine  fogs  were  observed, 
distributed  according  to  months  as  follows :  July,  0 ;  August,  1 ; 
September,  2 ;  October,  8 ;  November,  3 ;  December,  5 ;  January,  1 ; 
February,  0 ;  March,  4 ;  April,  1 ;  May,  4 ;  June,  0.  From  October, 
1899,  to  August,  1906,  a  period  in  which  there  are  considerable 
gaps  in  observation,  there  is  a  total  record  of  59  fogs. 

The  appearance  and  behavior  of  the  fogs  vary  somewhat. 
Usually  they  are  low,  heavy  blankets  of  uniform  density  covering 
limited  areas,  the  form  in  which  fogs  are  generally  kno\^^l,  but 
sometimes  on  the  lake  they  assume  the  form  of  tall,  vertical  col- 
umns which  glide  over  the  water  in  a  peculiar,  ghostly  fashion. 
Usually  the  fogs  form  in  the  evening  or  some  time  during  the  night, 
and  remain  until  morning,  imperceptibly  dissipating  in  the  heat  of 
the  morning  sun.  Sometimes  they  condense  on  sticks,  grass  and 
other  objects,  or  uniting  to  form  drops,  fall  to  the  earth  as  a  sort  of 
rain.  On  December  3,  1900,  a  fog  was  noted  rising  from  the  lake, 
passing  gradually  into  the  far-off  sky  and  assuming  the  form  of 
immense  and  imposing  thunderheads,  the  passage  from  fog  to  cloud 
being  complete.  This  transition  from  fog  to  cloud  was  subse- 
quently frequently  seen  on  the  upper  Cumberland  but  never  on  so 
magnificent  a  scale. 

Among  the  most  noteworthy  fogs  observed  about  the  lake  may 
be  mentioned  the  following: 

Some  time  in  December,  1896,  when  a  thin  ice  extended  out  a 
considerable  distance  fi'om  shore,  there  appeared  an  extremely 
dense  fog  on  the  lake  which,  according  to  Mr.  S.  S.  Chadwick,  was 
the  heaviest  fog  he  has  ever  seen  here.  A  large  flock  of  wild  geese 
was  on  the  lake  and  were  unable  to  leave  on  account  of  the  fog.  A 
party  went  out  after  the  geese  and,  becoming  bewildered  in  the 
fog,  had  great  difficulty  finding  a  place  to  land. 

On  October  18,  1900,  a  heavy  fog  set  in  about  8  o'clock  and  con- 
tinued until  about  10  the  next  day.  A  steamer  got  lost  on  the 
lake  and  did  not  get  in  until  2  or  3  o'clock  the  next  morning. 


152         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

DEW 

As  might  be  expected  dews  are  so  frequent  in  the  mornings  of 
the  warmer  portion  of  the  year  that  their  absence  rather  than  their 
presence  is  generally  commented  upon.  Yet  the  dews  of  the  up- 
lands immediately  about  the  lake  are  not  drenching  and  quickly 
dry  up  in  the  mornings  so  that  one  can  walk  about  without  getting 
wet  almost  any  morning  after  8  or  9  o'clock.  The  dews  of  the 
mucky  or  peaty  lowlands  are  much  heavier  and  more  persistent. 

It  may  be  worth  while  to  remark  here  that  much  that  is  gen- 
erally taken  for  dew,  such  as  the  sparkling  drops  at  the  tips  of 
spears  of  grass,  is  not  condensed  vapor,  but  water  of  transpiration 
which  has  passed  through  plants  and  has  not  evaporated  from  the 
leaves  as  it  exuded.  This  might  be  termed  organic  dew,  and  is 
particularly  noticeable  on  the  leaves  of  strawberries,  muskmelons, 
etc.,  where  it  is  found  in  prominent  drops  at  the  water-pores  of  the 
leaves.  This  "dew"  is  always  abundant  at  times  when  evapora- 
tion is  checked  in  the  atmosphere  surrounding  rapidly  growing 
plants. 

Dew  proper  is  common  on  all  calm  nights  during  the  summer. 
The  dews  first  become  noticeable  about  the  end  of  April  and  con- 
tinue until  freezing  weather.  When  fogs  appear  on  the  land  they 
usually  leave  a  good  deal  of  moisture  on  the  herbage. 

WATER  TEMPERATURES 

Temperature  of  the  surface  of  the  lake: — Considerable  time  and 
attention  were  devoted  to  a  study  of  the  temperature  of  the  lake 
water.  Regular  observations  regarding  the  temperature  of  the 
water  at  the  lake  surface  were  begun  July  5,  1899,  and  continued 
daily,  practically  without  interruption,  to  July  1,  1901.  An 
observation  station  was  established  at  the  pier  in  front  of  the  cot- 
tage now  known  as  Shady  Point,  on  the  west  side  of  the  lake  at  the 
base  of  Long  Point,  and  at  that  time  occupied  by  the  Fish  Commis- 
sion party.  A  copper- jacketed  Wilder  protected  thermometer  was 
used.  Observations  were  made  and  temperatures  recorded  three 
times  daily — at  6  a.m.,  noon,  and  6  p.m.  In  getting  tempera- 
tures, the  thermometer  was  placed  in  water  to  a  depth  of  a  foot 
to  18  inches.  When  there  was  ice  a  hole  was  cut,  through  which 
the  thermometer  was  lowered  into  the  water  beneath. 

From  July  5  to  October  19,  the  observations  were  made  and 
recorded  by  a  member  of  the  Fish  Commission  party.  From  Oc- 
tober 19,  1899,  to  June  25,  1900,  the  readings  were  taken  and 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         153 

recorded  by  Mr.  S.  S.  Chadwick.  Up  to  April  5,  1900,  the  tempera- 
tures were  taken  at  the  Chadwick  houseboat  on  the  east  side  of 
Long  Point;  after  April  5  they  were  taken  on  the  north  end  of 
Long  Point  in  the  south  side  of  Outlet  Bay,  but  sometimes  at  the 
wagon  bridge  across  the  Outlet.  From  June  25,  1900,  to  June  30, 
1901,  the  temperatures  were  again  taken  at  the  pier  in  front  of 
the  Shady  Point  cottage,  and  usually  by  Mr.  Clark. 

Besides  these  regular  observations,  a  large  number  of  miscel- 
laneous records  were  made;  a  few  in  November  and  December, 
1898,  and  at  various  odd  times  since  1901,  by  Mr.  Chadwick;  and  a 
large  number  by  the  present  writers  during  the  various  times  when 
one  or  both  of  them  have  been  at  the  lake  since  1901.  And  many 
more  were  taken  in  various  places  in  the  lake  during  the  regular 
investigations  of  1899-1901. 

In  addition  to  the  surface  temperature  observations  at  the  regu- 
lar station,  many  other  records  were  made  in  various  parts  of  the 
lake,  particularly  in  connection  with  the  seining  and  other  collect- 
ing operations,  and  in  connection  with  the  serial  temperature  work. 
Surface  temperatures  were  also  taken  as  a  part  of  the  plankton 
studies.  Since  July  1,  1901,  surface  temperatures  have  been  re- 
corded at  intervals  by  Mr.  Chadwick,  also  by  Dr.  Scovell,  and  by 
the  present  writers  when  any  of  them  happened  to  be  at  the  lake. 
The  total  number  of  water  surface  temperature  readings  taken 
and  recorded  exceeds  10,000.  Most  of  these  are  given  in  the  tables 
on  pages  160  to  215. 

It  was  felt  tnat  the  large  amount  of  attention  given  to  tempera- 
ture observations  was  justified  because  of  the  very  intimate  re- 
lation which  the  temperature  of  the  water  bears  to  aquatic  animal 
and  plant  life. 

It  was  desired  to  learn  the  relation  between  temperature  and 
the  feeding,  breeding,  and  other  habits,  and  the  distribution  of 
the  different  species  of  fishes,  turtles  and  other  animals  in  the  lake, 
also  of  the  various  species  of  aquatic  plants.  It  is  believed  that 
a  number  of  interesting  and  important  correlations  have  been  es- 
tablished. 

The  details  of  the  records  may  now  be  considered. 

For  the  month  of  January,  there  are  5  records  for  1899,  93  for 
1900,  93  for  1901,  and  12  for  1905. 

As  might  be  expected,  there  is  but  slight  variation  in  January 
in  the  temperature  of  the  water  at  the  surface  of  the  lake.  The 
temperature  of  the  air  is  at,  below,  or  near,  freezing  during  most 
of  the  days  of  the  month,  and,  as  the  water-surface  temperature, 


154         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

until  it  reaches  the  freezing  point,  varies  directly  with  that  of 
the  air,  the  water  temperature  will  usually  be  close  to  freezing. 

In  January,  1899,  only  5  records  were  made  (on  the  1st,  8th, 
29th,  30th,  and  31st) ,  all  of  which  were  32°.  These  were  all  taken 
through  the  ice.  In  1900,  the  variation  was  from  32°  to  38°  at 
6  a.m.,  from  32°  to  40°  at  noon,  and  from  32°  to  39°  at  6  p.m. 
The  lowest  daily  average  was  32°,  the  highest  was  39°,  and  the 
average  for  the  month  was  33.8°,  the  average  for  the  air  for  the 
same  period  being  28.6°. 

In  1901,  the  variation  was  from  33°  to  39.5°  at  6  a.m.,  from 
34°  to  41°  at  noon,  and  from  33.5°  to  40.6°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest 
daily  average  was  33.7°,  the  highest  was  42°,  and  the  average  for 
the  month  was  36°,  the  average  for  the  air  for  the  same  period 
being  27.9°. 

In  1905,  records  were  made  only  on  the  first  4  days  of  January. 
The  variation  was  from  32°  to  34°  at  6  a.m.,  from  32°  to  34.9° 
at  noon,  and  from  32°  to  34.8°  at  6  p.  m.  The  lowest  daily  average 
was  32°,  the  highest  was  34.3°,  and  the  average  for  the  4  days 
was  33.8°. 

Any  discussion  or  interpretation  of  these  January  water  tem- 
peratures is  difficult.  Any  consideration  given  them  must  be  in 
connection  with  the  air  temperatures.  The  observations  in  1899 
and  1900  were  before  the  regular  beginning  of  our  work  and  were 
made  by  a  volunteer  observer  whose  records  must  be  regarded  as 
only  approximately  accurate.  On  all  the  days  (9  in  number)  cov- 
ered by  records  in  January  of  those  two  years,  the  air  was  at  or 
below  freezing,  and  on  most  of  the  days  the  water  temperature 
was  taken  through  the  ice.  This  will  account  for  the  large  number 
of  records  of  32°  or  slightly  above.  In  January,  1901,  the  air  was 
at  or  below  freezing  on  24  days.  The  water  temperatures  were 
taken  perhaps  with  somewhat  greater  care.  It  is  interesting  and 
significant  to  note,  however,  the  close  approximation  of  the  aver- 
ages for  the  Januarys  of  the  2  years,  33.8°  in  1900  and  36°  in 
1901. 

Notwithstanding  the  almost  freezing  temperature  of  the  water 
near  shore  in  January  and  other  winter  months,  it  was  interesting 
to  observe  that  various  species  of  small  fishes  such  as  grayback 
minnows,  straw-colored  minnows,  and  skipjacks,  gathered  up  in 
large  schools  under  the  ice  in  shallow  water,  particularly  on  bright 
sunny  days.     This  phenomenon  is  considered  more  fully  elsewhere. 

In  February,  1899,  only  7  records  were  made,  on  the  1st,  2d, 
7th,  10th,  13th,  15th  and  27th,  on  each  of  which  dates  the  air  was 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         155 

below  freezing*.  All  these  were  32°  except  that  on  the  27th  when 
it  was  36°.  In  1900,  the  record  is  complete  for  the  month.  The 
variation  was  from  32°  to  35°  at  6  a.m.,  32°  to  34°  at  noon,  and 
32°  to  34.5°  at  6  p.m.,  the  lowest  daily  average  for  the  air  during 
the  same  period  being  22.6°. 

In  1901,  the  record  is  also  complete  for  the  month.  The  varia- 
tion was  from  32.5°  to  35.5°  at  6  a.m.,  from  32°  to  34.5°  at  noon, 
and  from  32.9°  to  34°  at  6  p.  m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was 
32.5°,  the  highest  34.3°,  and  the  average  for  the  month  was  33.1°, 
that  of  the  air  for  the  same  period  being  19.3°. 

For  March,  1899,  the  only  record  is  for  the  11th  when  the  water 
was  33.5°.  In  1900,  the  record  is  complete.  The  variation  was 
from  33°  to  37°  at  6  a.m.,  from  33°  to  37.5°  at  noon,  and  from 
33°  to  38.5°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was  33.1°  on  the 
17th,  the  highest  37.5°  on  the  31st,  and  the  average  for  the  month 
was  35.4°,  that  for  the  air  in  the  same  period  being  30.1°.  The 
record  for  March,  1901,  is  complete.  The  variation  was  from 
32.3°  to  39.8°  at  6  a.m.,  from  33°  to  49°  at  noon,  and  from  32.9° 
to  43.4°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was  33°  on  the  1st 
and  3d,  the  highest  42.4°  on  the  29th,  and  the  average  for  the 
month  was  36.4°,  that  for  the  air  in  the  same  period  being  exactly 
the  same,  36.4°.  The  average  for  March  of  the  2  years  was  35.9°, 
that  of  the  air  33.25°. 

For  the  month  of  April,  the  record  is  complete  for  1900  and 
1901.  In  1900,  the  variation  was  from  39°  to  67°  at  6  a.m.,  from 
44°  to  67°  at  noon,  and  from  45°  to  67.5°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest 
daily  average  was  42.6°  on  the  1st,  the  highest  67.1°  on  the  30th, 
and  the  average  for  the  month  was  49.8°,  that  for  the  air  in  the 
same  period  being  52.3°.  In  1901,  the  variation  was  from  36° 
to  60.1°  at  6  a.m.,  from  38.5°  to  65.5°  at  noon,  and  from  39°  to 
69.8°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was  38.6°,  the  highest 
64°,  and  the  average  for  the  month  was  47.9°,  that  for  the  air 
in  the  same  period  48.9°.  The  average  for  April  of  the  2  years 
was  48.8°,  that  for  the  air,  50.6°. 

For  the  month  of  May,  the  record  is  approximately  complete 
for  1900  and  1901.  In  1900,  the  variation  was  from  56°  to  72.5° 
at  6  a.  m.,  from  57°  to  74°  at  noon,  and  from  57°  to  74°  at  6  p.  m. 
The  lowest  daily  average  was  57°  on  the  10th,  the  highest  73.3° 
on  the  30th,  and  the  average  for  the  month  was  64.74°,  that  for  the 
air  being  66°.  In  1901,  the  variation  was  from  51.9°  to  66°  at  6 
a.m.,  from  50.5°  to  70.1°  at  noon,  and  from  51.1°  to  68°  at  6  p. 
m.     The  lowest  daily  average  was  52.8°,  on  the  2d,  the  highest 


156         Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

68.4°,  on  the  18th,  and  the  average  for  the  month  was  60.93°, 
that  for  the  air  being  61°. 

For  the  month  of  June,  the  record  is  complete  for  1900  and  1901. 
In  1900  the  variation  was  from  70°  to  78°  at  6  a.m.,  from  71° 
to  78°  at  noon,  and  from  71°  to  78°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest  daily 
average  was  71°  on  the  4th,  the  highest  77°  on  the  26th  and  28th, 
and  the  average  for  the  month  was  74.6°,  that  for  the  air  being 
71°.  In  1901,  the  variation  was  from  58°  to  79.2°  at  6  a.  m.,  from 
64.5°  to  86.2°  at  noon,  and  from  62.9°  to  84.6°  at  6  p.  m.  The  low- 
est daily  average  was  61.8°,  on  the  1st,  the  highest  83.2°  on  the 
28th,  and  the  average  for  the  month  was  74.11°,  that  for  the  air 
being  75.7°. 

For  the  month  of  July,  there  are  complete  records  for  1899, 
1900,  and  1903,  and  partial  records  for  1906. 

In  1899,  the  variation  was  from  70°  to  79°  at  6  a.  m.,  from  75° 
to  88.5°  at  noon,  and  from  73.5°  to  85.5°  at  6  p.  m.  The  lowest 
daily  average  was  74.1°  on  the  9th  and  10th,  the  highest  84.2° 
on  the  23d,  and  the  average  for  the  month  was  78.2°,  that  for 
the  air  being  75.6°. 

In  1900,  the  variation  was  from  71°  to  80°  at  6  a.m.,  from 
72°  to  83°  at  noon,  and  from  75°  to  82°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest 
daily  average  was  74.6°  on  the  1st,  the  highest  80.3°  on  the  5th, 
and  the  average  for  the  month  was  78.4°,  that  for  the  air  being 
75.9°. 

In  1903,  the  variation  was  from  71°  to  81.5°  at  6  a.m.,  from 
73°  to  87°  at  noon,  and  from  71°  to  87.5°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest 
daily  average  was  73.1°  on  the  1st  and  2d,  the  highest  83.3°  on 
the  9th  and  11th,  and  the  average  for  the  month  was  77.86°,  that 
for  the  air  being  75.9°. 

The  records  for  July,  1906,  cover  only  the  last  7  days  of  the 
month.  The  variation  was  from  62.5°  to  75°  at  6  a.  m.,  from  72.5° 
to  82°  at  noon,  and  from  73°  to  83.3°  at  6  p.  m.  The  lowest  daily 
average  was  67.5°  on  the  25th,  the  highest  74.5°  on  the  26th,  and 
the  average  for  6  days  74.3°,  that  for  the  air  being  76.9°. 

For  the  month  of  August,  the  records  are  nearly  complete  for 
1899,  1900,  1903,  and  1906. 

In  1899,  the  variation  was  from  67°  to  77.5°  at  6  a.m.,  from 
77°  to  84.5°  at  noon,  and  from  75°  to  84.5°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest 
daily  average  was  74.5°  on  the  9th  and  15th,  the  highest  was  82° 
on  the  27th,  and  the  average  for  the  month  was  78.4°,  that  for 
the  air  being  75.1°.  In  1900,  the  variation  was  from  74°  to  79.4° 
at  6  a.m.,  from  72.1°  to  83.6°  at  noon,  and  from  78°  to  83.6°  at  6 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         157 

p.m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was  75.4°  on  the  15th,  the  highest 
81.7°  on  the  22d,  and  the  average  for  the  month  was  79.7°,  that 
for  the  air  being  77.5°.  In  1903,  the  variation  was  from  68"  to 
77.1°  at  6  a.m.,  from  71°  to  78.5°  at  noon,  and  from  70.5°  to  78° 
at  6  p.m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was  70°  on  the  15th,  the 
highest  76°  on  the  5th,  and  the  average  for  the  month  was  73.8°, 
that  for  the  air  being  70.7°.  In  1906,  the  variation  was  from  67° 
to  76.4°  at  6  a.  m.,  from  71°  to  85°  at  noon,  and  from  72°  to 
84.5°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was  72.5°  on  the  30th, 
the  highest  was  81.8°  on  the  26th,  and  the  average  for  the  month 
was  76.2°,  that  for  the  air  being  74.9°. 

There  are  14  records  for  the  last  5  days  of  August,  1908.  The 
variation  was  from  65°  to  72.9°  at  6  a.m.,  from  70.5°  to  81°  at 
noon,  and  from  73.5°  to  80°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest  daily  average 
was  69°  on  the  27th,  the  highest  was  77°  on  the  30th,  and  the  aver- 
age for  the  5  days  was  73.2°,  that  for  the  air  being  75.8°. 

For  the  month  of  September,  the  records  are  practically  com- 
plete for  1899  and  1900,  and  there  are  partial  records  for  1906, 
1907,  1908,  and  1913.  In  1899,  the  variation  was  from  54.8'  to 
80°  at  6  a.m.,  from  60°  to  84.2°  at  noon,  and  from  56°  to  81.2°  at 
6  p.m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was  56.9°  on  the  30th,  the  high- 
est was  81.3°  on  the  3d,  and  the  average  for  the  month  was  68.1°, 
that  for  the  air  being  63.1°.  In  1900,  the  variation  was  from  59.3° 
to  77.5°  at  6  a.m.,  from  65.5°  to  83°  at  noon,  and  from  66.5°  to 
81°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was  65.6°  on  the  28th, 
the  highest  was  80.5°  on  the  1st,  and  the  average  for  the  month 
was  72.4°,  that  for  the  air  being  68.1°.  For  September,  1906, 
the  record  is  nearly  complete  for  the  first  18  days.  The  variation 
was  from  60°  to  76°  at  6  a.m.,  from  67°  to  80°  at  noon,  and  from 
67°  to  80°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was  65.1°  on 
the  14th,  the  highest  was  75.4°  on  the  11th,  and  the  average  for  the 
18  days  was  71.2°,  that  for  the  air  being  69.3°.  For  September, 
1907,  the  record  is  partial  for  the  13th,  14th,  23d,  and  30th,  and 
complete  for  the  19th  to  29th  both  inclusive.  The  variation  was 
from  57°  to  70°  at  6  a.m.,  from  60°  to  74°  at  noon,  and  from 
59°  to  73°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was  59.7°  on  the 
29th,  the  highest  was  72.2°  on  the  19th,  and  the  average  for  all 
the  records  was  64.5°,  that  for  the  air  being  62.9°.  For  Septem- 
ber, 1908,  the  record  is  practically  complete  for  the  first  17  days. 
The  variation  was  from  61.5°  to  75°  at  6  a.m.,  from  72°  to  81° 
at  noon,  and  from  70°  to  78°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest  daily  average 
was  67.8°,  on  the  3d  and  7th,  the  highest  was  76°  on  the  12th,  and 


158         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

the  average  for  the  month  was  72.2°,  that  for  the  air  being  71.5°. 
For  1913,  there  is  only  one  record,  which  is  62°  at  6  a.m.  on  the 
13th. 

For  October,  there  are  nearly  complete  records  for  1899,  1900, 
1907  and  1913,  and  partial  records  for  1904  and  1906.  In  1899, 
the  variation  was  from  48.5°  to  60.5°  at  6  a.m.,  from  58°  to  70.5° 
at  noon,  and  from  55°  to  65°  at  6  p.  m.  The  lowest  daily  average 
was  53°  on  the  21st,  the  highest  was  65.3°  on  the  15th,  and  the 
average  for  the  month  was  59.5°,  that  for  the  air  being  58.1°. 

In  1900,  the  variation  was  from  54°  to  69.8°  at  6  a.  m.,  from 
62°  to  73.5°  at  noon,  and  from  60°  to  71°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest 
daily  average  was  59.3°  on  the  20th,  the  highest  was  71°  on  the 
6th,  and  the  average  for  the  month  was  64.4°,  that  of  the  air  being 
61.5°. 

For  1904,  there  are  records  only  for  the  last  three  days  of  the 
month,  when  the  morning  range  was  from  47.9°  to  50.2°,  the  noon 
range  from  53°  to  58°,  and  the  evening  range  from  52.8°  to  53.5° ; 
the  lowest  daily  average  was  50.5°  on  the  29th,  the  highest  53.6° 
on  the  31st,  and  the  average  for  the  3  days  52.5°,  the  average  for 
the  air  being  48°.  For  1906,  there  is  one  record  for  the  5th  (57° 
at  6  p.m.),  one  for  the  10th  (47°  at  6  p.m.),  and  nearly  complete 
records  for  the  11th  to  24th  both  inclusive.  The  variation  was 
from  44.5°  to  59°  at  6  a.m.,  from  52°  to  65°  at  noon,  and  from 
49.5°  to  62.5°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was  43.3°  on 
the  28th,  the  highest  was  62°  on  the  19th,  and  the  average  for  the 
14  days  was  53°,  that  of  the  air  being  49.8°.  For  1907,  the  varia- 
tion was  from  43°  to  63°  at  6  a.m.,  from  45°  to  65°  at  noon,  and 
from  46°  to  65°  at  6  p.m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was  49°  on 
the  27th  and  30th,  the  highest  was  64.3°  on  the  4th,  and  the  average 
for  the  month  was  54.8°,  that  of  the  air  being  51.1°.  In  1913, 
the  variation  was  from  43°  to  65°  at  6  a.m.,  from  45°  to  70°  at 
noon,  and  from  44°  to  68°  at  6  p.  m.  The  lowest  daily  average 
was  44.7  on  the  31st,  the  highest  was  67.3°  on  the  9th.  The  aver- 
age for  the  month  was  54.9°  at  6  a.m.,  58.2°  at  noon,  57.6°  at  6 
p.  m.,  or  56.7°  daily  average,  that  of  the  air  being  53.2°. 

For  November,  there  are  3  records  for  1898  (40°  on  the  24th, 
35°  on  the  26th,  and  34°  on  the  27th,  all  at  6  a.m.),  nearly  com- 
plete records  for  1899,  1900,  and  1904,  and  3  for  1906  (43.5°, 
44.5°,  and  43.5°  on  the  16th) .  In  1899,  the  variation  was  from  42° 
to  54°  at  6  a.m.,  from  42°  to  56°  at  noon,  and  from  43°  to  52° 
at  6  p.  m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was  43°  on  the  29th,  the  high- 
est was  55°  on  the  1st,  and  the  average  for  the  month  was  47.6°, 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         159 

that  for  the  air  being  44.6°.  In  1900,  the  variation  was  from 
32.9°  to  59.8°  at  6  a.m.,  from  39.6°  to  63.8°  at  noon,  and  from 
39.3°  to  60.5°  at  6  p.  m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was  38.7°  on 
the  30th,  the  highest  was  62.6°  on  the  3d,  and  the  average  for 
the  month  was  47.6°,  that  of  the  air  being  40.7°.  In  1904,  the 
variation  was  from  37.5°  to  51.5°  at  6  a.  m.,  from  38.5°  to  53.9° 
at  noon,  and  from  38°  to  53°  at  6  p.  m.  The  lowest  daily  average 
was  38.5°  on  the  27th,  the  highest  was  53°  on  the  4th,  and  the 
average  for  the  month  was  45.4°,  that  of  the  air  being  40.4°. 

In  1906,  the  variation  was  from  35.5°  to  53.5°  at  6  a.m.,  from 
37°  to  53.2°  at  noon,  and  from  37.2°  to  50°  at  6  p.  m.  The  lowest 
daily  average  was  36.2°  on  the  20th,  the  highest  was  48.8°  on 
the  1st,  and  the  average  for  the  month  was  44.6°,  that  of  the  air 
being  39.2°. 

For  December,  there  are  3  records  for  1898  (32°  at  6  a.  m.  on 
the  7th,  9th  and  14th)  and  nearly  complete  records  for  1899,  1900 
and  1904.  In  1899,  the  variation  was  from  32°  to  46°  at  6  a.m., 
from  32°  to  48°  at  noon,  and  from  32°  to  47°  at  6  p.  m.  The  lowest 
daily  average  was  32°  on  the  16th,  29th,  30th,  and  31st,  the  high- 
est was  47°  on  the  11th,  and  the  average  for  the  month  was  37.2°, 
that  of  the  air  being  28.2°.  In  1900,  the  variation  was  from  32° 
to  40.9°  at  6  a.m.,  from  32°  to  42°  at  noon,  and  from  32°  to  42.6° 
at  6  p.m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was  32°  on  the  14th,  the 
highest  was  41.5°  on  the  1st,  and  the  average  for  the  month  was 
36.8°,  that  of  the  air  being  31.7°.  In  1904,  the  variation  was 
from  32°  to  37°  at  6  a.  m.,  from  32°  to  37.8°  at  noon,  and  from  32° 
to  36.5°  at  6  p.  m.  The  lowest  daily  average  was  32°  on  the  10th, 
12th,  13th,  15th,  and  16th,  the  highest  was  36.1°  on  the  2d,  and 
the  average  for  the  month  was  33.8°,  that  of  the  air  being  25.2°. 

In  the  following  tables  are  given  the  detailed  records  of  the 
water  temperature  observations : 


11—17618 


160         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


Water  Temperature  Tables 

WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  JANUARY,  1900 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  111. 

Average 

1 

32° 

32° 

32° 

32° 

2 

32 

32 

32 

32 

3 

32 

32 

32 

32 

4 

32 

32 

32 

32 

5 

32 

32 

33 

32.3 

6 

33 

33 

33 

33 

7 

34 

34 

34 

34 

8 

34 

35 

35 

34.6 

9 

33 

33 

33 

33 

10 

33 

33 

33 

33 

11 

33 

33 

33 

33 

12 

33 

34 

33 

33.3 

13 

33 

33 

33 

33 

14 

33 

33 

33 

33 

15 

33 

34 

34.5 

33.8 

16 

35 

35 

35 

35 

17 

34 

34 

35 

34 

18 

35 

35 

35.5 

35.1 

19 

35 

35 

35 

35 

20 

35 

35 

35 

35 

21 

35 

35 

35.5 

35  1 

22 

35 

35.5 

36  5 

35.6 

23 

36 

37 

37.5 

36.8 

24 

38 

40 

39 

39 

25 

37 

36 

35 

36 

26 

34.5 

34 

34 

.34.1 

27 

33.5 

33 

33 

33.1 

28 

33 

32 

32 

32.3 

29 

32 

32 

32 

32 

30 

32 

32 

32 

32 

31 

32 

32 

32 

32 

Average 

33.7 

33.8 

33.9 

33.8 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Snrveij         161 


WATER  TEMPERATURES    FOR  JANUARY,  I90I 


Date 

6  a.  111. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

33.6° 

34.1° 

33.5° 

33.7° 

2 

33.2 

34 

34 

33.7 

3 

33.5 

34.5 

33.9 

33.9 

4 

33 

34.7 

34.3 

34 

0 

33.5 

35.1 

34.8 

34.4 

6 

34 

35 

34.8 

34.6 

( 

34.1 

35 

34.8 

34.6 

8 

34.5 

34.9 

34.2 

34.5 

9 

34 

35 

34 

34.3 

10 

34 

34.5 

35 

34.5 

11 

35.2 

35.8 

35.5 

35.5 

12 

35.1 

36 

35.9 

35.5 

13 

36 

36.9 

37 

36.6 

14 

37 

38.9 

38.5 

38.1 

15 

37.9 

40.1 

38.2 

38.7 

16 

36.8 

38.5 

38.5 

37.1 

17 

38.1 

38  1 

38  1 

18 

37.9 

38.7 

38.2 

38.2 

19 

37 

38.5 

37.3 

37.6 

20 

37.3 

39 

39.5 

38.6 

21 

37 

37.1 

37.9 

37.3 

22 

38.1 

41 

39 

39.7 

23 

39.5 

40 

40.6 

40 

24 

39.1 

38.8 

38.1 

38.6 

25 

37.6 

38.2 

38 

37.9 

26 

37.2 

37.3 

36.1 

36.8 

27 

36.8 

37 

36.5 

36.7 

28 

36 

36.9 

37.5 

36.8 

29 

35.5 

35.9 

36.1 

35.8 

30 

34.9 

35.2 

35.7 

35.2 

31 

34.5 

35 

34.5 

34.6 

Average 

35.4 

36.7 

36.8 

36  4 

WATER   TEMPERATURES   FOR   JANUARY,  1905 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p   m. 

Average 

1 
2 
3 
4 

33.5° 
34 
34 
32 

34.9° 
34.5 
34.8 
32 

34.5° 
32 

34.8 
32 

34.3° 
33  5 
34.4 
32 

Average 

33.4 

34.1 

33.3 

33.6 

162         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  FEBRUARY,  1899 


-     - 

Date 

6  a.  m. 

1 

32° 

2 

32 

7 

32 

10 

33 

13 

32 

15 

32 

25 

32 

27 

32 

Average . . 

32.7 

WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  FEBRUARY,  1900 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

32° 

32° 

32° 

32° 

2 

32 

32 

32 

32 

3 

32 

32 

32.5 

32.1 

4 

32.5 

32.5 

32.5 

32.5 

5 

32 

32 

32 

32 

6 

32 

32.5 

33 

32.5 

7 

33 

33 

33.5 

33.1 

8 

33.5 

34 

34 

33.8 

9 

33 

33 

33 

33 

10 

33 

33 

33 

33 

11 

32.5 

33 

33 

32.8 

12 

33 

33 

33 

33 

13 

33 

32.5 

32 

32.5 

14 

32 

32 

32 

32 

15 

32 

32 

32 

32 

16 

32 

32 

32 

32 

17 

32 

32 

32 

32 

18 

32 

32 

32 

32 

19 

32 

32 

32 

32 

20 

32 

33 

33 

32.6 

21 

33.5 

34 

34  5 

34 

22 

35 

34 

34.5 

34.5 

23 

34 

34 

35 

34.3 

24 

34 

33 

32 

33 

25 

32 

32 

32 

32 

26 

32 

32 

32 

32 

27 

32 

32 

32 

32 

28 

32 

33 

33 

32.6 

Average 

32.6 

32.6 

32.7 

32.7 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         163 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  FEBRUARY,  19U1 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

ti  p.  111. 

Average 

1 

34° 

34.1° 

33.5° 

33.8" 

2 

33.3 
35.5 

3 

33.5 

34 

34.3 

4 

32.8 

33.8 

33.5 

33 

5 

33.8 

34 

34 

33.9 

6 

33.3 

34.5 

33.4 

33.7 

7 

33.2 

33.8 

'     33.1 

33.3 

8 

33 

33.5 

33 

33.1 

9 

32.5 

32 

33 

32.5 

10 

32  5 

33 

33.1 

32.8 

11 

33.2 

33.1 

33.1 

33.1 

12 

32.5 

32.9 

33 

32.8 

13 

33 

33 

33.5 

33.1 

14 

32.9 

32.9 

33.1 

32.9 

15 

32.9 

33.5 

33.3 

33.2 

16 

33 

33.5 

33.2 

33.2 

17 

33 . 1 

33.2 

33 

33  I 

18 

33 

33.2 

33.2 

33.1 

19 

33 

33.7 

33.3 

33.3 

20 

33 

33.4 

32.9 

33.1 

21 

32.8 

33.5 

33.2 

33.1 

22 

33.2 

33 

32.9 

33 

23 

33 

33.2 

33 

33 

24 

32.9 

33.1 

32.9 

32.9 

25 

33 

33 

33 

33 

26 

32.5 

33 

32.9 

32.7 

27 

32.5 

33.1 

32.9 

32.7 

28 

33 

33 

32.9 

32.9 

Average 

32.7 

33.3 

33.2 

33.1 

164 


Lake  Maxmkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


WATER  TEMPERATURES   FOR  MARCH,  1900 


Date 

6  a.  m . 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Averrce 

1 

33° 

34.5° 

34° 

33.8° 

2 

34 

34.5 

34 

34.1 

3 

34 

34 

34.5 

34.1 

4 

34 

34 

34 

34 

5 

34 

34 

34 

34 

6 

34.5 

35 

35 

34.8 

7 

35 

35 

35 

35 

8 

35 

35.5 

35.5 

35.3 

9 

35.5 

36 

36 

35.8 

10 

36 

36 

36 

36 

11 

36 

36 

36 

36 

12 

35 

35 

35 

35 

13 

36 

36 

36.5 

36.1 

U 

36 

36 

36.5 

36  1 

15 

35 

35 

35 

35 

16 

35 

35 

34 

34.6 

17 

33.5 

33 

33 

33.1 

18 

33  5 

34 

34 

33.8 

19 

35 

35 

36 

35.3 

20 

-  36 

36 

36 

36 

21 

36 

36 

36.5 

36.1 

22 

36 

36.5 

37 

36.5 

23. 

36 

37 

37 

36.6 

24 

37 

37 

37.5 

37.1 

25 

36.5 

36 

36 

36.1 

26 

36 

36 

36 

36 

27 

36 

36.5 

36 

36.1 

28 

36 

36 

36.5 

36  1 

29 

36 

36 

36.5 

36.1 

30 

37 

37.5 

36.5 

37 

31 

37 

37 

38.5 

37.5 

Average 

35.3 

35  5 

35.6 

35.5 

Lake  Maxinhiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         165 


WATER  TEMPERATURES   FOR  MARCH,  1901 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

33' 

33° 

33° 

33° 

2 

32.8 

33.3 

33 

33.1 

3 

32.6 

33 

33.1 

33 

4 

33.5 

33.8 

33.5 

33.6 

5 

•     33.1 

33.6 

33.6 

33.4 

6 

33 

33.9 

33.9 

33.6 

7 

33 

33.9 

33.1 

33.3 

8 

32.9 

33.4 

32.9 

33 

9 

33.2 

33.2 

33.8 

33.4 

in 

32.3 

33.8 

33.8 

33,3 

11 

33.9 

33 

34.8 

33.9 

12 

35.1 

34.3 

34.5 

.34.6 

13 

34.3 

35.3 

34.5 

.34  7 

14 

35 

34.9 

34.9 

34.9 

15 

33.8 

34.9 

34.6 

34.1 

16 

.35.4 

36 

34.5 

35.3 

17 

35.2 

37 

38 

36.7 

18 

36.9 

37.1 

37.8 

37.2 

19 

34.8 

.38.5 

.39.5 

37.6 

20 

37.9 

38 

37.5 

37.8 

21 

37 

40.9 

38.9 

38.9 

22 

37.9 

44.9 

43.4 

42 

23 

38.1 

45.6 

41.5 

41.7 

24 

36.3 

39.5 

39.6 

38.4 

25 

35 

49 

42 

42 

26 

39.6 

41.4 

40.1 

40.7 

27 

38.9 

41.2 

40.3 

40.1 

28 

37.4 

41 

40.5 

37.6 

29 

39.8 

44.7 

42.7 

42.4 

30 

37.5 

38.3 

37.7 

37.8 

31 

37.1 

40.1 

41 

39.4 

Average 

35.4 

37.4 

36.9 

3u.o 

166         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


WATER  TEMPERATURES   FOR  APRIL,  1900 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

39° 

44° 

45° 

42.6° 

2 

44 

44.5 

46 

44.8 

3 

45 

45.5 

45 

45.1 

4 

46 

47 

47.5 

46.8 

5 

47 

48 

48 

47.6 

6 

48 

49 

49.5 

48.8 

7 

48 

49 

49.5 

48.8 

8 

49 

49 

50 

49.3 

9 

50 

50.5 

50 

50.1 

10 

48 

48.5 

48 

48.1 

11 

48 

48 

47.5 

47.8 

12 

47 

47.5 

46 

46.8 

13 

47 

47 

46 

46.6 

H 

44 

45 

46 

45 

15 

45.5 

46 

46.5 

46 

16 

46 

46.5 

48 

46.8 

17 

48 

48.5 

48 

48.1 

18 

48 

48 

48 

48 

19 

48 

48.5 

49 

48.5 

20 

48 

48 

49 

48.3 

21 

50 

50 

51 

50.3 

22 

50 

51 

51 

50.6 

23 

50 

51.5 

51 

50. S 

24 

51 

51.5 

52 

51 .5 

25 

50 

51 

51 

50.6 

26 

50 

50 

54 

51  3 

27 

56 

54 

54 

55.3 

28 

54 

58 

64 

58.6 

29 

60 

66 

66 

61 

30 

67 

67 

67.0 

67  ' 

Average 

49.1 

49.9 

50.5 

49.8 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         167 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  APRIL,  1901 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

36° 

46.2° 

45.5° 

42.5° 

2 

38.5 

38.5 

39 

38.6 

3 

38 

44 

43.9 

41.0 

4 

40 

50 

47.9 

45.9 

5 

42.5 

45.5 

45.5 

44.5 

6 

44 

43.9 

43.5 

44  I 

7 

42.1 

47.6 

45.6 

45.1 

8 

40.5 

48 

45.5 

44  6 

9 

40.8 

48.9 

47.9 

45.9 

10 

41.9 

50.5 

49.9 

47.4 

11 

42.5 

53.5 

50.9 

49  9 

12 

43.9 

46.7 

48.7 

48.4 

13 

45.3 

46.3 

47.5 

46.7 

14 

43.4 

49.3 

47.2 

46  6 

15 

44.5 

48.6 

48.5 

47.2 

16 

44.5 

51.1 

49.6 

48.4 

17 

52.3 

47.5 

46.5 

48.8 

18 

42.5 

46.5 

46 

45 

19 

41 

48.1 

45 

44.7 

20 

41  5 

48.3 

46.9 

45.6 

21 

42.4 

45.5 

43.7 

43.9 

22 

43.5 

44.5 

47.3 

45.1 

23 

45.5 

47.1 

49 

47.2 

24 

46 

52.1 

51.7 

49.9 

25 

46.8 

55.5 

51.5 

51.3 

26 

47.5 

59 

57 

54.5 

27 

51.5 

57.1 

61.8 

56.8 

28 

52 

59 

64.9 

58.6 

29 

56.8 

65.5 

69.8 

64 

30 

60.1 

55.5 

56.7 

57.4 

Average 

44.6 

49.7 

49.5 

47.9 

168         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


WATER   TEMPERATURES   FOR   MAY,  1900 


Dite 

6  a.  m. 

NooTi 

6  p.  in. 

Average 

1 

60° 

62° 

61° 

61° 

2 

56 

58 

60 

58 

3 

58.5 

58 

59 

58.5 

4 

60 

60.5 

60 

60.1 

5 

60 

61 

60 

60.3 

6 

59 

60.5 

60 

59.8 

7 

59 

60 

61 

60 

8 

59.5 

60 

59 

59.5 

9 

58 

58 

57.0 

57.8 

10 

57 

57 

57 

57 

11 

58 

60 

60 

59.3 

12 

62 

64 

65 

63.6 

14 

66 

69 

69 

68 

15 

69 

71 

70 

70 

16 

71 

73 

70 

71.3 

17 

63 

64 

63,5 

63.5 

18 

62 

62 

62 

62 

19 

62 

62.5 

62 

62.1 

20 

61 

60 

60 

60.3 

21 

59 

60 

60 

59.6 

22 

60 

61 

62 

61 

23 

61 

65 

70 

65.3 

24 

68 

70 

71 

69.6 

25 

70 

71 

73 

71.3 

26 

72 

73 

74 

73 

27 

72 

73 

73.5 

72.8 

28 

72 

72.5 

73 

72.5 

29 

72 

72.5 

73 

72.5 

30 

72 

74 

74 

73.3 

31 

72.5 

73 

73 

72.8 

Average 

63.71 

65.41 

65.  OS 

64.74 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         169 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  MAY,  1901 


Date 

6  a.  m . 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

57,5° 

58.3° 

54.5' 

56.8° 

2 

50.5 
68.2 

55 
65.3 

52.8 

3 

51.9 

61.8 

4 

56.9 

67 

62.3 

62.1 

5 

58.9 

65.1 

65.3 

63.1 

6 

60.1 

68 

63.6 

63.9 

7 

61 

63.6 

62 

62.2 

8 

60.4 

62.1 

62.6 

61.7 

9 

60.1 

64.5 

64.1 

62,9 

10 

61.9 

63.9 

64.9 

63.6 

11 

60.9 

64.1 

61.8 

62.3 

12 

56 

59 

59.5 

58.2 

13 

55.5 

61.8 

60 

59.1 

14 

55 

61.3 

63.5 

59.9 

15 

57.1 

61.8 

68 

62 

16 

61.5 

68.5 

66.3 

65.4 

17 

63.1 

70 

71 

68 

18 

66 

70.1 

69 

68.4 

19 
20 

63 

65.2 

64.1 

58.5 

65 

63.5 

62.3 

21 

58 

60.5 

61 

59.8 

22 

59 

62.5 

63.8 

61.8 

23 

59.5 

67.1 

65.5 

64 

24 

61.5 

65.4 

63.2 

63.4 

25 

55 

56.9 

56 

26 

55 

57 

51.1 

54.4 

27 

55 

57.9 

56.5 

57.8 

28 

55 

59 

59.5 

61. ? 

29 

55 

57.8 

57 

56. ft 

30 

53.1 

59.5 

58.9 

57.2 

31 

55.5 

62.9 

63.9 

60.8 

Average 

58.23 

62.92 

61.98 

60.93 

170         Lake  Maxinknckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


WATER   TEMPERATURES   FOR   JUNE,  1900 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

73° 

74° 

73.5° 

73.5° 

2 

72.5 

72 

72 

72.1 

3 

71.5 

72 

71 

71.5 

4 

70 

71 

72 

71 

5 

71.5 

72 

74 

72.5 

6 

73  5 

74 

73.5 

73.6 

7 

73.5 

74 

76 

74.1 

8 

76 

76.5 

77 

76.5 

9 

76 

76 

77 

76.3 

10 

76 

76.5 

75 

75.8 

11 

74 

74.5 

73.5 

74 

12 

74 

75 

77 

75 

13 

76 

76.5 

77 

76.5 

14 

76 

77 

77.5 

76.8 

15 

77 

77 

76 

76.6 

16 

75.5 

77 

77 

76.5 

17 

75.5 

76.5 

76 

76 

18 

75 

76.5 

77 

76.1 

19 

73 

76 

76 

75 

20 

70 

72 

72 

71.3 

21 

71 

73.2 

72 

73 

22 

70 

72 

70 

70.6 

23 

71 

74 

73 

72.6 

24 

72 

78 

75 

75 

25 

72 

78 

75 

75 

26 

78 

78 

75 

77 

27 

73 

77.5 

78 

76.1 

28 

75 

78 

78 

77 

29 

75 

78 

76 

76.3 

30 

6S 

78 

77 

74.3 

Average 

73.21 

75.32 

74.9 

74,6 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         171 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  JUNE,  1901 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

58° 

64.5° 

63° 

61.8° 

2 

58.1 

65.5 

65.5 

63 

3 

60.5 

69 

68.9 

66.1 

4 

63.3 

71 

68.8 

67.7 

5 

65 

66 

68.9 

66.6 

6 

64.5 

68.3 

68.8 

67.2 

7 

62.6 

64.8 

62.0 

63.4 

8 

58.9 

66.8 

63.9 

63.2 

9 

57 

68.5 

70 

65.2 

in 

65 

69.6 

70.2 

68.3 

11 

66 

74.5 

70.5 

70.3 

12 

67 

80 

75 

74 

13 

70.9 

78 

74.2 

74.4 

14 

72.1 

80.9 

80 

77.7 

15 

75 

78.2 

78 

77.1 

16 

70.5 

80.5 

80 

77 

17 

74 

78. 1 

75.5 

75.9 

18 

70.1 

79 

75.5 

74.9 

19 

72 

80 

78 

76.7 

20 

73 

77.5 

73.5 

74.7 

21 

74.3 

76.4 

78 

76.2 

22 

74.8 

82 

80.9 

79.2 

23 

73.9 

81 

81 

78.6 

24 

76.2 

83.5 

82 

80.6 

25 

77.9 

83.2 

81.3 

80.8 

26 

77 

84.5 

83.9 

81.8 

27 

78.5 

75 

84.6 

79.4 

28 

79.2 

85.7 

84.6 

83.2 

29 

78.8 

86.2 

82.3 

82.8 

30 

78 

85.9 

84.3 

82.7 

Average 

73.07 

74.13 

75.13 

74.11 

WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  JUNE.  1903 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

27 

65° 

76° 

75° 

72° 

28 

70 

77 

75 

74 

29 

71 

73.2 

72 

72 

30 

72 

75.2 

75 

74 

Average 

69.5 

75.4 

74.3 

73 

172 


Lake  Maxirikuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


WATER  TEMPERATURE.S   FOR  JULY,  1899 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

5 

73.5° 

75° 

77° 

75.1° 

6 

73.5 

80 

77 

76.8 

7 

72.5 

77 

75.5 

75 

8 

72 

77 

73.5 

74.1 

9 

70 

77 

77 

74.6 

10 

72 

76,5 

74 

74.1 

11 

72.5 

77,5 

77 

75.0 

12 

74.5 

80.5 

79 

78 

13 

77 

79  5 

75.5 

77.3 

14 

75 

77 

77 

76.3 

1.5 

74 

76 

75 

16 

75 

77.5 

76 

76.1 

17 

75 

79 

78 

77.3 

18 

74 

79 

77 

76.6 

19 

74 

79 

78 

77 

20 

76 

81 

78 

78.3 

21 

75 

82 

83 

80 

22 

79 

86 

85 

83.3 

2,3 

79 

88.5 

85 

84.2 

24 

78 

86 

85.5 

83.2 

25 

79 

85.5 

82 

82.6 

26 

78 

84 

80 

81.6 

27 

78 
78.5 

83 
83 

80.5 

28 

82 

81.2 

29 

78 

81.5 

79.5 

79.6 

30 

77 

82.5 

80 

79.8 

31 

75 

82.5 

80 

79.2 

Average. 


75.3 


80.5 


78.9 


7S.25 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         173 


WATER  TEMPERATURES   FOR  JULY,  liliK) 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

71° 

76° 

77° 

74.6° 

2 

73 

80 

80 

77.6 

3 

75 

79 

78.3 

77.4 

4 

78 

82 

80 

80 

5 

78 

83 

80 

80.3 

6 

78 

81 

80 

79.6 

7 

71 

82 

80 

77  6 

8 

77.5 

77 

75.5 

76  6 

9 

73 

78 

77 

76 

10 

71 

77. 

76 

74.6 

U 

73 

77.5 

77 

75.8 

12 

77 

72 

78 

75.6 

13 

71 

78 

77 

75.3 

14 

71 

79 

78 

76 

15 

75 

81 

79 

78.3 

16 

75 

77 

77 

76.3 

17 

74.5 

77 

76 

75.5 

18 

72 

79 

78 

76.3 

19 

75 

79 

78 

77.3 

20 

75 

80 

75 

76.6 

21 

73 

80 

80 

77.6 

22 

75 

80 

82 

79 

23 

78 

81 

80.5 

79.8 

24 

80 

78 

78 

78.6 

25 

75 

80 

79.5 

78. 1 

26 

75 

80 

79 

78 

27 

73 

80 

78 

77 

28 

75 

80 

78 

77.6 

29 

75.5 

79 

78 

77.5 

30 

75 

80.5 

79 

78.3 

31 

76 

80 

78 

78 

Average 

74.6 

79 

78.3 

78.4 

174         Lake  Maxinktickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


WATER  TEMPERATURES   FOR   JULY,  1903 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

71.5° 

77° 

71° 

73. r 

2 

71 

73 

75.5 

73.1 

3 

74 

77 

78 

71.3 

4 

76 

79 

78 

77.6 

5 

78 

80 

80 

79.3 

6 

77 

.     83.5 

84.5 

81.6 

7 

78.5 

86.5 

81.5 

82.1 

8 

79 

87 

81.5 

82.5 

9 

79 

83.5 

87.5 

83.3 

10 

80.5 

85 

85 

83 

11 

81.5 

84.5 

84.5 

83.3 

12 

81 

84 

81 

82 

13 

78.5 

81.5 

78.5 

79.5 

14 

78 

80 

78.5 

78.8 

15 

74 

77  0 

78 

76.5 

16 

75.5 

79 

79 

77.8 

17 

75 

78 

75 

76 

18 

73 

73  5 

74.5 

73.6 

19 

73.5 

74 

74 

77.8 

20 

72 

75 

75 

74 

21 

72 

75 

73.5 

73.5 

22 

72 

75.5 

75.5 

74.3 

23 

72 

79 

77 

76 

24 

75 

81 

80 

78.6 

25 

78 

78 

77.5 

77.8 

26 

76 

79 

78.5 

76.8 

27 

76 

81.5 

81.5 

79.6 

28 

77 

80 

78 

78.3 

29 

72 

80 

78.5 

76.8 

30 

76 

78 

77,5 

77,1 

31 

71 

77 

10 

74.3 

Average 

75.6 

79.4 

78.5 

77.8 

WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR   JULY,  1906 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  ni. 

Average 

25 

62.5° 
75 

72.5° 
75.5 

67  5° 

26 

73° 

74.5 

27 

68.5 

76,8 

77.9 

74.4 

28 

70 

77,9 

74 

74 

29 

68.1 

74 

80 

74 

30 

63.5 

82 

82.5 

76 

31 

83.5 

Average 

67.9 

76.4 

78.5 

74.3 

Lake  Maxinkiickee ,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         175 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  AUGUST,  1899 


Date 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26 

27 

28 

29 

30 

31 


6  a.  m. 


Average. 


74° 

76.5 

76 

75.5 

77.5 

71.5 

72.5 

73 

71 

73 

73.5 

74.5 

70 

67 

67 

70 

73 

73.5 

76 

76 

75 

75 

75 

75 

74 

75 

77 

70.5 

75.5 

75 

77 

73.7 


Noon 


82 

80 

84.5 

78.5 

82.5 

SO 

77 

77.5 

79 

81.5 

80 

80 

80 

80 

80 

81 

79 

84 

78.5 

82.5 

82 

82 

80 

83.5 

81.5 

86 

84 

84 

84 

81.5 

81.1 


6  p.  ni. 


76.5 


78° 

80 

79 

81 

78 

80 

80 

77 

75 

7( 

80 

78.5 

75 

77 

76.5 

80 

80 

78 

78 

77 

80.5 

82 

78.5 

80.5 

82.5 

83 

82 

84.5 

82 

81.5 

79.4 


Average 


76.6° 

79.5 

78.3 

80.3 

78 

78 

77.5 

75.6 

74.5 

76.2 

78.3 

77.6 

75 

74.6 

74.5 

76.6 

78 

76.8 

79.3 

77.2 

78.2 

79.2 

79.6 

77.8 

79.3 

79.3 

82 

81 

81.3 

80.5 

80 

78.4 


12     1761.S 


176         Lake  Maxmkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  AUGUST,  1900 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

74.° 

81° 

81.5° 

78.8° 

2 

76.5 

78 

77.2 

3 

75 

79 

80.3 

78.1 

4 

76 

80.8 

78.5 

78.4 

5 

77.4 

81 

81 

79.8 

6 

79 

83.5 

79.8 

80.8 

7 

79.2 

81.8 

81.8 

81 

8 

78.8 

83 

81 

80.9 

9 

79.4 

83 

82 

81.4 

10 

78.9 

83.5 

80 

80.8 

11 

79 

83.6 

80.5 

81 

12 

78.3 

81 

81.5 

80.2 

13 

78 

82 

80.5 

80.1 

14 

79 

79 

79 

79 

15 

76.2 

72.1 

78 

75.4 

16 

75.7 

77 

80 

77.5 

17 

75.5 

80 

79.2 

78.2 

18 

76 

80.5 

79 

78.5 

19 

78.5 

83.5 

78.5 

80.4 

20 

77 

81 

79 

79 

21 

76.2 

83.5 

83.6 

81.1 

22 

78.2 

84 

83 

81.7 

23 

78.9 

80 

82 

80.3 

24 

77.5 

82.5 

81.5 

80.5 

25 

77.2 
76 

79 
81.5 

78.1 

26 

79.5 

79 

27 

76.5 

80 

79.5 

78.6 

28 

76.5 

82 

81.8 

80.1 

29 

78 

83.5 

81.5 

81 

30 

76 

83 

83 

80.6 

31 

78 

83.5 

83 

81.5 

Average 

77.2 

81.3 

80.6 

79.7 

Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physiccd  and  Biological  Survey         111 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  AUGUST,  1903 


Date 

6  a.  ni. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

70° 

71° 

71° 

70.6° 

2 

72 

77 

75 

74.6 

3 

77,1 

74 

78 

75.3 

4 

73 . 5 

75 

77 

75.1 

5 

74.5 

78.5 

75 

76 

6 

73.5 

76 

74 

74.5 

7 

70 

72 

71 

71 

8 

72.5 

76.5 

74 

74.3 

9 

74 

75 

75 

74.6 

10 

71 

75 

75 

73.6 

11 

72 

74 

74 

73.3 

12 

68 

72 

74 

71.3 

13 

71 

74 

74 

73 

14 

69 

76 

76 

73.6 

15 

68.5 

71 

70.5 

70 

16 

68 

75 

74.5 

72.5 

17 

70 

76 

75 

73.6 

18 

73 

78 

76 

75.6 

19 

73 

74 

72.5 

73.1 

20 

70 

76 

75 

73.6 

21 

71 

74 

77 

74 

22 

71 

74 

74 

73 

23 

72 

75.5 

73.5 

77 

24 

73 

78 

74.5 

75.1 

25 

73.5 

78 

76 

75.8 

26 

72 

77 

77.5 

75.5 

27 

73 

76 

75 

74.6 

28 

73 

76 

75 

74.6 

Average 

71.7 

75.2 

74  6 

73.8 

178 


Lake  Maxmkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  AUGUST,  1906 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

71.5° 

77.5° 

84.5° 

77.8° 

2 

76.4 

81 

78.9 

78.8 

3 

71.9 

77 

78.9 

75.9 

4 

73.9 

78 

79 

77 

5 

73.5 

78.1 

77.5 

76.4 

6 

73 

81.9 

77.8 

77.6 

7 

73.1 

75.4 

77 

75.2 

8 

73 

82.2 

84 

79.7 

9 

73.9 
73.9 

83.5 
81.5 

78.7 

10 

75.5 

77 

11 

72 

83 

79 

78 

12 

68.8 

75.1 

76.5 

73.5 

13 

69 

73.8 

75.9 

72.9 

14 

75 
71 

15 

76 

72.5 

73.2 

16 

72.5 

77 

81 

76.8 

17 

74 

79 

77.5 

76  8 

18 

72.5 

77 

78 

75.8 

20 

79.5 

78 

78.8 

21 

74.5 

22 

80 
80.8 

23 

80 

80.4 

24 

75.5 

74.8 

80 

77.8 

25 

81 

77.5 

73.5 

77.9 

26 

85 
73.5 

81.3 

27 

70 

72.3 

28 

68.5 

74.1 

76 

72.9 

29 

70 

73.5 

79 

74.2 

30 

74.5 

71 

72 

72.5 

31 

67 

67 

Average 

72.5 

77.7 

78.5 

76.2 

WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  AUGUST,  190S 


Date' 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

27 

65  0° 

65 

69 

70 

72.9 

73.0° 
74 

70.5 
81 

78.5 

69  0° 

28 
29 
30 
31 

74.0° 
73.5 
80 
79 

74.1 

11 

77 

76.8 

Average 

68.4 

75.4 

76.6 

73.2 

'  Records  onlv  for  the  last  five  davs  of  the  month. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         179 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  SEPTEMBER,  1899 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

77° 

82.5° 

81.2° 

80.2° 

2 

76.2 

82.8 

80 

79.6 

3 

80 

84.2 

79.8 

81.3 

4 

73.8 
72.5 

6 

82 

79.5 

78 

7 

73.5 

79.2 

78.5 

77 

8 

75 

79 

75 

76.3 

9 

67 

68 



67.5 

10 

67 

69 

69.5 

68.5 

11 

69.5 

77 

74 

73.5 

12 

69 

77 

71 

72.3 

13 

66 

75 

70 

71 

14 

57 

72.5 

68.5 

66 

15 

64 

73 

69.5 

68.8 

16 

64 

74.5 

72 

70.1 

17 

66 

76 

70.8 

70.il 

18 

62 

70.5 

66.2 

19 

63.1 

64 

63.5 

63.5 

20 

61.5 

68.5 

65 

65 

21 

61.5 

71 

67 

66.5 

22 

62 

69 

60 

65.6 

23 

63 

65.5 

67 

65.1 

24 

64 

66 

65 

65 

25 

61 

66 

63.5 

63.5 

26 

57.5 

65.5 

61 

61.3 

27 

57 

63 

62 

60.6 

28 

55 

61.5 

60 

58.8 

29 

56 

62 

57 

58.3 

30 

54.8 

0(1 

56 

56.9 

Average 

65.6 

71.6 

68.9 

68.1 

180         Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR   SEPTEMBER,  1900 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

77  5° 

83° 

81° 

80.5° 

2 

76 

81.2 

77.2 

78.1 

3 

76 

80.5 

79 

78.5 

4 

75 

81 

81   , 

79 

5 

75 

80.5 

77.5 

77.3 

6 

76 

79.5 

77.5 

77.6 

7 

75 

78 

78 

77 

8 

75.5 

80.3 

77.6 

9 

76.5 

81.2 

78.6 

78.7 

10 

75.1 

80 

77 

77.3 

11 

75.8 

79 

76.3 

77 

12 

72.9 

72.5 

76.1 

73.8 

13 

72 

79 

78 

76.3 

14 

72.1 

79 

72.7 

74.6 

15 

68.8 

77 

74.9 

73.5 

16 

70.1 

71.1 

71.8 

71 

17 

68 
59.3 

67 
71.9 

67.5 

18 

73 

67.7 

19 

65 

65.5 

69.9 

66.8 

20 

65 

71 

67 

67.6 

21 

63.5 

70 

67.5 

67 

22 

63.5 

71 

69.5 

68 

23 

64 

70.2 

67.8 

67.3 

24 

62.8 

68.5 

69 

66.7 

25 

67 

75.2 

71.8 

71  3 

26 

62 

69.9 

69 

66.9 

27 

66 

67.3 

66.5 

66.6 

28 

61.9 

68 

67 

65.6 

29 

66 

67.5 

67.5 

67 

30 

63.5 

71 

69.5 

68 

Average 

69.6 

74.6 

73.2 

72.4 

WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  SEPTEMBER,  1906 


Date 

6  a  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 
2 
3 

4 

64° 

66 

67 

69 

63 

66.1 

71 

73° 

68 

72.5 

70.9° 

69 

70.1 

69.5 

71 

73 

75 

75 

76 

74 

75.2 

76 

70 

68 

67 

72 

73 

80 

69.3° 
67.7 
69.9 
69.3 

5 
6 

7 
8 

69 
71 
73 
73 
75 

67.7 

70 

73 

74 

9 
10 

71.3 
76 
71 
72 

74.1 
75 

11 
12 
13 

80 

76.8 

78.2 

67.2 

67 

70.9 

75.4 
74.9 
74.1 

14 
15 

60 

65.1 

67 

16 
17 

65 

69.3 

18 

68.5 

74.9 

74.5 

Average 

67.8 

72.6 

72.4 

71.2 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  181 


WATER  TEMPERATURES   FOR  SEPTEMBER,  1907 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

13 

70° 

69° 

14 

67° 
70 

19 

74 

72.5 

72.2° 

20 

70 

73 

73 

72 

21 

67 

72.5 

70 

69.8 

22 

62 

70 

70 

67.3 

23 

65 
61 

66 
63 

65  5 

24 

66 

63.3 

25 

58 

62 

62 

60.7 

26 

60 

62 

03 

61.7 

27 

61 

61 

61 

61 

28 

61 

62 

62 

61.7 

29 

60 

60 

59 

59  7 

30 

57 

62 

59  5 

Average    

63 

66.6 

65.6 

64  5 

WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  SEPTEMBER,  1908 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

75° 

75° 

75° 

2 

71.3 

73.5 

70.5 

71.8 

3 

61.5 

72 

70 

67.8 

4 

65 

72 

70 

69 

5 

67 
71 

75 

70 

71 

6 

78 

73 

7 

64 
66 

71.5 

67.8 

8 

9 

66.5 

73.5 

75 

71.7 

10 

69 

76.5 

75.4 

73  6 

11 

77 
81 

12 

71 

76 

13 

73 

76 

78 

75.7 

14 

71 

74 

73 

72.7 

15 

68.5 

72 

73 

71.2 

16 

66.5 

73.8 

76 

72.1 

17 

74 

75 

74.5 

Average 

68 

74.1 

73.3 

72  2 

182 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  OCTOBER,  1899 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

48.5° 

59.5° 

56° 

54.6° 

2 

52.5 

61 

59 

57.5 

3 

52 

63.5 

60.5 

58.6 

4 

55 

61.5 

61 

59.1 

5 

55 

61.2 

60 

58.7 

6 

54 

62 

62 

59 

7 

54 

63.5 

61 

59.5 

8 

52.5 

64 

61 

59.1 

9 

58 

64.5 

60 

60.8 

10 

54.5 

62 

60 

58.8 

11 

58.5 

60 

60 

59.5 

12 

58.5 

65 

62 

61.5 

13 

60 

64 

64 

62.6 

14 

60 

68 

65 

64.3 

15 

60.5 

70.5 

65 

65.3 

16 

59.8 

67 

61 

62.5 

17 

58.5 

58.5 

57 

58 

18 

58 
50 
60 

22 

58 
66 

54 

23 

60 

62 

24 

60 

66 

60 

62 

25 

60 
55 

62 
64 

61 

26 

60 

59.6 

27 

56 
57 
56 

57 
57 
59 

56.5 

28 

57 

29 

59 

58 

30 

53 

59 

56 

56 

31 

52 

60 

55 

55.6 

Average 

56 

62.8 

59.9 

59.3 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         183 


WATER   TEMPERATURES   FUR   OCTUliER,  I'JOO 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

(i  p.  111. 

A\oiage 

1 

63.5° 

70° 

68° 

67.2  ° 

2 

62.5 

71 

68 

67.2 

3 

64.5 

72.5 

68.9 

68.6 

4 

65 

73.2 

69 

69.1 

5 

64.9 

72 

70.1 

69 

6 

67 

73.5 

71 

70.5 

7 

67.5 

68.5 

66.8 

67.6 

8 

65 

69.5 

67 

67.7 

9 

62.5 

69.5 

66.5 

66.2 

10 

69.8 

68.5 

67 

68.4 

11 

62 

68.5 

66.9 

65.8 

12 

65.5 

66.5 

65 

66 

13 

60 

65.5 

64 

63.2 

14 

62 

68 

66.9 

65.6 

15 

62.3 

69.3 

65.5 

65.7 

16 

61.5 

65 

60 

62.2 

17 

57.6 

64.8 

61 

61.1 

18 

57.2 

65.5 

63 

61.9 

19 

54,5 

63.6 

61.2 

59.8 

20 

54 

63 

61 

59.3 

21 

61.8 

62 

61.9 

61.9 

22 

60.1 

62.5 

63 

61.9 

23 

58.9 

63.9 

61.2 

61.3 

24 

58.1 

63.5 

65 

62.2 

25 

58 

64.7 

63 

61.9 

26 

58.8 

64 

61.5 

61.4 

27 

58.5 

66.1 

64 

62.9 

28 

57.5 

64 

62.8 

61.4 

29 

60.1 

65 

61.7 

62.3 

30 

61.5 

65.2 

62.5 

63.1 

31 

59.9 

64.9 

63.9 

62.9 

Average 

61.4 

66.9 

64.8 

64.4 

184         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  OCTOBER,  1904 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

28 

52.8  = 

29 

47.9° 

50.2 

50 

53° 
54 

58 

50  5° 

30 
31 

53.5 
52.9 

52.6 
53.6 

Average 

49  4 

55 

53.1 

52.5 

WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  OCTOBER,  1906 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

5 

57° 

47 

49.5 

10 

11 

44.5- 

53.5° 

49.2° 

12 

47.2 

52 

52 

50.4 

13 

55 

55 

55 

14 

51 

55.8 

55.5 

54.1 

15 

51.6 

55 . 5 

56.7 

54.6 

re 

51.8 
51.5 

57 

58 

54.8 

17 

58 

55.8 

18 

56 

58 

61 

58.3 

19 

58.5 

65 

62.5 

62 

20 

51.9 

63.3 

53 

56.1 

21 

56 

59 

60    . 

58.3 

22 

56.3 

57.6 

56 

56.6 

23 

59 

60.5 

58 

59.2 

24 

57  5 
49.5 

50 
45.5 

53.8 

27 

47 

47.3 

28 

44 

43 

42.8 

43.3 

•  29 

41,1 

50 

44.5 

45.2 

30 

46 

47.5 

45 

46.1 

31 

42 

52 

48.5 

47.5 

Average 

51.1 

54.9 

53.1 

53 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


185 


WATER  TEMPERATURES   FOR  OCTOBER,  1907 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p  ni . 

Average 

1 

57° 

61° 

63° 

60.3° 

2 

60 

65 

64 

63 

3 

62 

64 

63 

63 

4 

63 

65 

65 

64.3 

5 

59 

63 

63 

61.7 

6 

59 

62 

63 

61.3 

7 

59 

62 

60 

60.3 

8 

54 

59 

61 

58 

9 

57 

58 

58 

57.7 

10 

54 

57 

58 

56.3 

11 

54 

57 

55 

55.3 

12 

52 

53 

53 

52  7 

13 

60 

52 

53 

51.7 

14 

51 

54 

54 

53 

15 

55 

55 

55 

55 

16 

55 

55 

56 

55  3 

17 

54 

57 

58 

56.3 

18 

54 

56 

56 

55.3 

19 

50 

54 

55 

53 

20 

53 

54 

53 

53.3 

21 

51 

55 

54 

53.3 

22 

51 

55 

56 

54 

23 

52 

55 

53 

53.3 

21 

51 

53 

54 

52.7 

25 

50 

53 

50 

51 

26 

50 

49 

50 

49.7 

27 

49 

50 

48 

49 

28 

46 

46 

47 

46.3 

29 

43 

45 

46 

44  7 

30 

49 

49 

49 

49 

31 

4S 

51 

51 

49  3 

Average 

53.3 

55.6 

55.6 

54.8 

186         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR   OCTOBER,  1913 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

61 

66° 

66° 

64.3° 

2 

60 

62 

61 

3 

56 

65 

64 

61.7 

4 

60 

65 

65 

63.3 

5 

60 

64 

64 

62.7 

6 

62 

65 

65 

64 

7 

62 

67 

67 

65.3 

8 

62 

67 

67 

65.3 

9 

64 

70 

68 

67.3 

10 

65 

69 

67 

67 

11 

61 

63 

61 

61.7 

12 

57 

58 

50 

55 

13 

56 

61 

62 

59.7 

14 

57 

62 

61 

60 

15 

56 

63 

62 

60.3 

16 

59 

62 

62 

61 

17 

60 

62 

52 

58 

18 

56 

56 

56 

56 

19 

51 

59 

55 

55 

20 

51 

52 

48 

50.3 

21 

45 

46 

46 

45.7 

22 

50 

46 

50 

48.7 

.23 

48 

52 

50 

50 

24 

51 

54 

54 

53 

25 

48 

55 

54 

52.3 

26 

50 

54 

55 

53 

27 

50 

51 

50 

50.3 

28 

47 

49 

50 

48.7 

29 

49 

50 

46 

48.3 

30 

45 

45 

45 

45 

31 

43 

47 

44 

44.7 

Average 

54.9 

58.2 

57 

56.7 

Lake  Maxmknckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


187 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  NOVEMBER.  1S99 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  in. 

Average 

I 

54° 

56° 

55° 

2 

45 

48 

46° 

46.3 

3 

45 

44 

43 

44 

4 

42 

42 

47 

43.6 

5 

44 

52.5 

50 

48.3 

6 

47 

51 

48 

48.6 

7 

48 

50 

49 

49 

g 

50 

48 

50 
50 

50 

9 

52 

50 

10 

48 

50.5 

50.5 

49.6 

11 

50 

53 

50 

51 

12 

46 

48 

46 

46.6 

13 

42 

50 

49 

47 

14 

46 

49 

48 

47.6 

15 

48 

50 

49 

49 

16 

48 

51 

50 

49.6 

17 

47 

50 

52 

49.6 

18 

50 

51 

50 

50.3 

19 

48 

51 

50 

49.6 

20 

47 

51 

47 

48.3 

21 

46 

49 

50 

48.3 

22 

50 

51 

50 

50.3 

23 

47.5 

45 

45 

45.8 

24 

45 

46 

45 

45.3 

25 

43 

47 

45 

45 

26 

42 

47 

44 

44.3 

27 

43 

46 

44 

44.3 

28 

43 

47 

44 

44.6 

29 

42 

44 

43 

43 

30 

42 

46 

47.5 

45.1 

Average 

46.2 

48.9 

47.0 

47  6 

188         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR   NOVEMBER,  1900 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

59.8° 

59° 

58.3° 

59° 

2 

57 

63.8 

60.5 

63.4 

3 

56.3 

63.5 

58.1 

62.0 

4 

51.1 

62 

59.5 

57.5 

5 

55.3 

61 

57.5 

57.9 

6 

52 
49.5 

55 
56 

53 . 5 

7 

54 

53.2 

8 

50 

55 

51.2 

55.1 

9 

50 

51.3 

52.5 

51.3 

10 

45.5 

45.8 

47.8 

46.4 

11 

4S.9 

51.5 

49.9 

59.1 

12 

46.5 

49.7 

50.5 

48.9 

13 

41.5 

49.8 

45.9 

46.7 

14 

42 

45.8 

45.5 

57.8 

15 

42.8 

47 

45 

44.9 

16 

3S.9 

42.9 

41 

40.9 

17 

38.5 

43 

42.1 

40.2 

18 

44.9 

47 

47.5 

46.5 

19 

48.2 

49.5 

46.2 

48 

23 

48.9 

50 

42 

47 

21 

45.8 

47.2 

45.6 

46.2 

22 

43.1 

47.5 

46.5 

45.7 

23 

43.5 

45.1 

44.5 

44.4 

24 

43 

43 

43 

43 

23 

39 

39.6 

39.3 

49.3 

28 

35.9 

40.5 

40 

38.8 

27 

38 

41.8 

42.8 

40.9 

28 

40.3 

41.5 

41.5 

41.1 

29 

41.1 

41.8 

41.7 

41  5 

33 

32.9 

41.? 

42 

38.7 

Average 

45.8 

49.2 

47.7 

47.6 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         189 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  NOVEMBER,  1904 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  in. 

Average 

1 

50° 

52.5° 

53° 

51.8° 

2 

50 

53 

53 

52 

3 

50.5 

53.9 

52.9 

52.4 

4 

51.5 

53.5 

54 

53 

5 

49.9 

50.2 

49.2 

49.8 

6 

42.2 

48.5 

47.9 

46.2 

7 

47.8 

48.2 

50.5 

48.8 

8 

47.9 

48.3 

45.1 

47  1 

9 

43.9 

43.9 

47.5 

45  1 

10 

47.5 

44.7 

44 

46.3 

11 

42 

41.8 

43 

42.3 

12 

40.3 

43 

43.3 

42.2 

13 

42 

44 

42.9 

43.3 

14 

41.8 

43 

43.5 

42.8 

15 

41.3 

42 

44.8 

42.7 

16 

42.5 

44.5 

47.5 

41.5 

17 

43  9 

45.3 

45 

44.7 

18 

44 

45.5 

46.7 

42.9 

19 

44.9 

46 

47 

49.9 

20 

46 

47 

45.5 

46.2 

21 

43.6 

45.5 

45.5 

44  9 

22 

43 

46 

45.2 

44  7 

23 

43.5 

44 

44.8 

44.1 

24 

43.5 

44.2 

44.5 

44.1 

25 

42 

43 

42.5 

42.5 

26 

39.8 

39.9 

40 

39.9 

27 

37.5 

38.5 

39.5 

38.5 

28 

43 

39 

3S 

40 

29 

39 

Average 

44.3 

45.6 

45.9 

45.4 

190         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR  NOVEMBER,  1906 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  111. 

Average 

1 
2 
3 
4 

45.5° 

45 

48 

45.2 

47 

43 

53.5 

45 

47.5 

41.5 

45.2 

42.5 

41.8 

41 

43 

43.5 

43.5 

45 

42.5 

35.5 

39.5 

43.5 

50.5° 

45 

51 

50° 

50 

45 

46 

46.5 

48.8° 
46.6 
48 
45  6 

5 
6 

52.5 

48.6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

49 

48 

53.2 

48.9 

45.1 

43 

46.6 

48.6 

46 

44.5 

47.5 

47.1 
46.4 

12 
13 
14 
15 

45 
42 
44.5 

44.2 
42.2 
44 

16 
17 

44.5 

43.5 

40 

43.8 
41.1 

18 

45 . 5 
37.5 
37 

45.2 

19 
20 

37.2 

39 
36  2 

21 

39 

39i2 

23 

Average 

42.9 

46.5 

44.5 

44.6 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         191 


VVATEIl  TEMPERATURES  FOR   DECEMBER,  1899 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

44° 

46° 

43° 

44.3° 

2 

42 

46 

43 

43.6 

3 

42 

43 

42 

42.3 

4 

41 

42 

37 

40 

^5 

35 

39 

38 

37.3 

6 

38 

41 

39 

39.3 

7 

37 

40 

38.5 

38.5 

8 

38 

42 

40 

40 

9 

40 

40 

40 

40 

10 

44 

42 

42.6 

42.6 

11 

46 

48 

47 

47 

12 

40 

40 

40 

40 

13 

40 

38 

35 

37.6 

14 

35 

36 

36 

35.6 

15 

30 

36 

36 

36 

16 

32 

32 

32 

32 

17 

32 

35 

.  3" 

34.6 

18 

34 

39 

38 

37 

19 

38 

38 

38 

38 

20 

36 

36 

36 

35 

21 

34.5 

37 

38 

36.5 

22 

37 

38 

38 

37.6 

23 

34 

36 

34 

34.6 

24 

34 

34 

33 

33.6 

25 

32 

34 

33 

33 

26 

33 

34 

34 

33.6 

27 

32 

34 

32 

32.6 

28 

32 

34 

32 

34.6 

29 

32 

32 

32 

32 

30 

32 

32 

32 

32 

31 

32 

32 

32 

32 

Average 

36.6 

37.9 

37 

37.2 

13—17618 


192         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


WATER   TEMPERATURES   FOR   DECEMBER,  1900 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

Average 

1 

39.9° 

42° 

42.6° 

41.5° 

2 

38.9 

40.9 

41.5 

40.4 

3 

40 

41.2 

42 

41.1 

4 

40.9 

41.3 

41 

41  1 

5 

40.9 

41 

40.5 

40.8 

6 

38.5 

41.1 

41 

40.2 

7 

40.1 

40.9   , 

39.9 

40.3 

8 

37.8 

38.9 

38.9 

38.5 

9 

37.5 

38.5 

37.7 

37.9 

10 

38.4 

39.2 

39 

38.9 

11 

37.1 

39.5 

39 

37.5 

12 

35.1 

37 

36.5 

36.2 

13 

36.6 

37.3 

37.8 

37.2 

14 

32 

32 

32 

32 

15 

32 

32.9 

32 

32.3 

16 

32.1 

32.5 

33.2 

32.6 

17 

33.5 

33.8 

33.5 

33.6 

18 

33.5 

34.7 

34.8 

34.3 

19 

33.9 

36.5 

35 

35.1 

20 

33.8 

36 

36.7 

35.5 

21 

35 

37.8 

36.4 

36.4 

22 

34.7 

36 

35.9 

35.5 

23 

37.2 

36.7 

34.7 

36.2 

24 

33.9 
33.5 

36.3 
35 

35.1 

28 

36.7 

35.1 

29 

34 

35.9 

35.4 

35.1 

30 

33.9 

35 

34 

34.3 

31 

33.8 

34.8 

33.6 

34.1 

Average 

36 

37.3 

37.1 

36.8 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         193 


WATER  TEMPERATURES  FOR   DECEMBER.  1901 


Date 

6  a.  m. 

Noon 

6  p.  m. 

A  \erage 

1 

35° 

35° 

35° 

2 

37 

37,8° 

33.5 

36.1 

3 

32 

33 

32.5 

32.5 

4 

32 

32.9 

34 

31.9- 

5 

33 

34.5 

34.5 

33.5 

6 

34.9 

33 

35.2 

35 

7 

34.5 

36 

35.2 

35.2 

8 

34.5 
34.8 

34.9 
35 

9 

34 

34.6 

10 

32 

32 

32 

32 

11 

34 

33.8 

33.8 

33.8 

12 

32 

32 

32 

32 

13 

32 

32 

32 

32 

14 

32 

32.8 

32 

32.2 

15 

32 

32 

32 

32 

16 

32 

32 

32 

32 

17 

33 

32 

32 

32.3 

18 

33 

33 

33 

33 

19 

32 

33 

33.1 

32.7 

20 

33 

34.5 

35 

33.1 

21 

34.9 

34.9 

35.2 

35 

22 

35 

37 

36.5 

36.1 

23 

36.4 

35.5 

35 

35.6 

24 

35 

34.9 

35 

34.9 

25 

35 

36.2 

35 

35.4 

26 

35 

35 

36 

35.3 

27 

35 

34.5 

34 

34.5 

29 

34.5 
34 

32 
35. 1 

30 

35 

31 

34 

34.8 

34 

34.2 

Average 

33.8 

34.1 

33.8 

33.8 

194         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         197 

Serial  water  temperatures : — In  addition  to  the  observations  on 
the  temperature  of  the  surface  of  the  lake,  many  serial  tempera- 
tures were  taken.  On  July  18,  1899,  a  regular  observation  station 
was  established  at  the  deepest  place  in  the  lake,  known  as  the 
Deep  Hole,  where  the  water  is  89  feet  deep  at  the  ordinary  stage 
of  water.  A  buoy  was  placed  to  mark  the  station.  Readings 
were  taken  daily  i'rom  July  18  to  September  30,  1899,  and  from 
July  17,  1900,  to  June  28,  1901,  not  daily  but  usually  two  to  three 
times  a  week.  Readings  were  taken  at  the  surface  and  usually  at 
5-foot  intervals  from  the  surface  to  the  bottom.  Usually  the 
temperature  of  the  air  also  was  recorded,  and  the  condition  of  the 
sky  and  direction  of  the  wind  noted. 

From  July  18  to  August  14,  1899,  a  self-registering  Negretti- 
Zambra  deep-sea  thermometer  was  used.  From  August  15  to  Sep- 
tember 21,  a  Ritchie  thermophone  was  used,  with  not  wholly  satis- 
factory results,  after  which  the  deep-sea  thermometer  was  again 
used. 

A  similar  serial-temperature  observation  station  was  estab- 
lished July  30,  1899,  at  the  Kettlehole,  in  the  southwest  corner  of 
the  lake,  in  which  the  maximum  depth  is  40  feet.  Seven  sets  of 
records,  at  5-foot  intervals,  were  made  there  in  July,  August  and 
September,  1899,  and  12  sets  in  July,  August  and  September,  1900. 
More  than  150  water-temperatures  were  recorded  at  the  Kettle- 
hole,  and  over  4,200  at  the  Deep  Hole.  The  total  number  of  water- 
temperatures  taken  and  recorded  is  therefore  about  10,000.  Most 
of  the  surface  temperatures  are  given  in  the  tables  on  the  preceding 
pages  and  the  serial  temperatures  will  be  found  in  the  following 
tables. 

Temperatures  at  the  Deep  Hole: — Many  serial  temperature 
records  were  made  at  the  Deep  -Hole.  These  are  set  forth  in  the 
tables  on  the  following  pages.  An  examination  of  these  vari- 
ous tables  reveals  some  very  interesting  facts,  particularly  with 
reference  to  the  position  of  the  thermocline,  that  is,  the  line  or 
depth  of  most  rapid  change  in  temperature. 

During  the  winter  months,  when  the  lake  is  covered  with  ice, 
the  temperature  of  the  water  from  top  to  bottom  is  quite  uniform, 
the  variation  sometimes  being  nil,  and  usually  not  more  than  2  or 
3  degrees.  When  the  ice  goes  off  in  the  spring,  the  sun's  rays 
begin  to  affect  the  upper  strata  of  the  water  to  gradually  increasing 
depths.  From  a  mean  surface  temperature  of  33.1^  in  February, 
it  rose  in  March  to  34.8°,  in  April  to  45.8  \  in  May  to  62%  and  so 
on,   until   in  August   it  reached   80.1°.     By  INIay   the  water  had 


198         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

warmed  up  perceptibly  to  a  depth  of  25  to  30  feet,  and  a  well-de- 
fined thermocline  was  established.  This  is  shown  by  the  marked 
diff'erence  between  the  mean  temperatures  at  25  feet  and  30  feet, 
5.4°,  which  is  3.4°  greater  than  for  any  other  5-foot  interval  in 
May.  By  the  end  of  July,  in  1899,  it  had  moved  down  to  35  to 
40  feet,  the  difference  in  temperature  in  that  5-foot  interval  being 
6°.  In  1900,  it  moved  down  only  to  the  30  to  35-foot  interval  by 
the  end  of  July  and  showed  a  difference  of  8.4°.  In  August,  1899, 
and  again  in  1900,  it  stood  in  the  30  to  35-foot  interval.  In  Sep- 
tember, it  moved  down  to  the  40  to  50-foot  stratum  in  both  1899 
and  1900.  In  October,  it  went  down  to  the  50  to  60-foot  level,  and 
in  November  to  the  60  to  70-foot  interval.  The  difference,  how- 
ever, was  only  1.9°.  In  this  month  it  disappeared  altogether  in 
1900  (the  only  year  in  which  late  fall  observations  were  made), 
and  did  not  reappear  until  in  May  following. 


Pictures  cannot  do  full  justice  to  the  beautiful  views  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee  from  the 
Academy  buildings.  One  of  the  most  attractive  vistas  shows  a  glimpse  of  the  main  lawn  and 
flag  in  the  foreground. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


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200         Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


SERIAL  TEMPERATURES  TAKEN  IN  THE  DEEP  HOLE,  AUGUST,  1899 


Depth 

D.\TE 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

Air 

74.5 
78.5 
78.8 
79.3 

78.3 

78.5 
74 

69.5 

77.3 
79.5 
79.5 
79.5 

78 

77.2 
74 

70 

74 
79 

79.2 
79.2 

79.2 

78 
74 

70.2 

74  5 

78.5 
78.2 
78.2 

78.2 

77  7 
75,5 

69.8 

77.5 
77.5 
77.5 

75.5 

77.5 
75,3 

70.2 

66.6 

77 
77 

77 

77 

77 
74.8 

70.5 

71 

76.2 
76.2 
76.2 

76.2 

76.2 
76,2 

70.5 

72 

75.7 
75.7 
76.2 

75.6 

75,6 
76 

70,7 

78.5 
76.5 
76.5 
76.5 

76.5 

76 
75.2 

70.2 

71.5 

77 
77 
77 

76.5 
75.5 

72 

76.7 
76.7 
76.7 

77 

76.5 

74.4 

71 

64.5 
75 

75.2 
75.2 

75.2 

74.9 
72.3 

68.5 

66.7 

77.4 
74.5 
74.5 

/75.1' 

^74.5 

74.3 

73.6 

[72.11 
\70.5 

64 

78 

78.2 

78 

77.5 

74 
73 

70 

78.3 
78.3 
78.3 

78.3 

78 
75 

69.7 

74 

5  ft 

10ft   .... ... 

74.2 
74.3 

15  ft       

74.3 

20  ft   

74.3 

25  ft       

73.8 

30  ft          .    .     . . 

32  5  ft 

69.3 
66 

35  ft 

40  ft 

64.5 
59.2 

54.6 

52 
52 

51.5 
51.5 

64.7 
59.1 

55 

52 

51.8 
51.3 
51 

63.7 
59.2 

54.8 

52.5 
51.7 
51.7 
51  3 

64 
60  5 

55 

52 
51 
51 
51 

64.5 
59.5 

54 

52.5 
52 

51.5 
51.5 

65.5 
59.5 

54.5 

52.5 
52 

51.7 
51.7 

63.7 
59.7 

54.7 

52.7 
51.8 
51.8 
51.5 

64.2 

58.7 

54.5 

52.4 
51.7 
51.7 

64  2 
59.8 

54.5 

51.6 
50.7 
50.7 

65.6 
60.1 

54.7 

52.5 
51.7 
51.7 
51,7 

64.7 
59.7 

54.8 

52.3 
52 

51.7 
52 

64,7 
59.2 

54.6 

51.5 
52 

51.9 
51.9 

66 
60 

55 

53 

52.2 
52.1 
52.2 

61 
57.5 

52.5 

51.5 
51 

50.7 
50.5 

62.5 
57.2 

/55' 
\52.5 
51.3 
50.8 
50.7 
50.2 

62 
57,2 

50  ft 

60  ft 

70  ft 

80  ft 

85  ft 

52.7 

51.3 

51 

.50.7 
50  7 

SERIAL  TEMPERATURES  TAKEN  IN  THE  DEEP  HOLE,  AUGUST  1899 


Depth 

D.\TE 

17 

IS 

19 

20 

21 

22 

23 

24 

25 

26    '    27 

1 

28 

29 

30 

31 

Air 

71.5 

75.4 

74.5 

74.5 

74.5 

74.7 

73.5 

71.5 

65.5 

61.5 

57.2 

53.1 

51.5 

51  3 

51 

50,7 

71.5 

76.7 

76.7 

75.1 

74.4 

74 

73.5 

70.5 

61.5 

57.2 

53 

51.5 

51  - 

50.5 

50.5 

76.5 

77.3 

77.3 

74.7 

74 

73.4 

72.2 

69.5 

64.5 

61 

56.8 

51.3 

50.3 

50 

50 

49.7 

76 

77.7 

77.7 

77.6 

74 

73 

71.7 

69.4 

64.5 

61.5 

57.2 

52 

50.5 

49  5 

49.5 

49.3 

72 

77 

77 

77 

76.5 

75 

73 

70.5 

66 

59.5 

56 

52.4 

50.5 

50 

50 

50 

83 

76.5 

76.5 

76.3 

76.5 

74.7 

73 

70.2 

64.8 

60.8 

56.5 

52 

50.4 

50 

49.9 

49.5 

71 

76.5 

76.7 

76.7 

76.5 

75 

73.3 

70 

65.7 

62 

57 

52.7 

50.7 

,50.4 

50,2 

50.2 

83 

76.5 

76.5 

76,3 

76.5 

74.7 

73 

70.2 

64.8 

60,8 

56.5 

52 

50.4 

50 

49  9 

49.5 

72.5 

76.5 

76.5 

76,5 

76.5 

75 

73.2 

70 

66  5 

62.7 

58 

52.4 

51 

50.5 

50 

50 

72.3 

76.3 

76.3 

76.3 

76.3 

75.5 

73 

69.2 

65 

62 

57.6 

52.2 

50.8 

50.4 

50.2 

50 

71.7 

75.5 

76.5 

76.3 

76.3 

75.1 

73.7 

69.5 

66.7 

61.2 

57.6 

52.5 

51 

50.5 

50.2 

50 

74 

77 

77 

77 

76.5 

75 

73.3 

69,5 

66.3 

63  2 

57 

52,5 

50.7 

50.5 

50.5 

50 

72 

76.5 

76,5 

76.7 

76.5 

76 

73.5 

70. 

66.5 

63.2 

56.7 

51.7 

51 

50.7 

50  5 

50.2 

74.2 

77.2 

77.2 

77 

77 

76.5 

73.5 

70.7 

65.5 

62.2 

57 

52.5 

51.5 

51 

51 

50.5^ 

73 

Surface 

5  ft                     

75.7 
75 

10  ft 

75 

15  ft 

74.7 

20  ft 

73.5 

25  ft      

71 

30  ft              

67.3 

32,5  ft 

35  ft 

63.2 
60.3 

40  ft 

55.8 

50  ft 

50.7 

60  ft          

49.5 

70  ft            

49 

80  ft              

49 

85  ft               

48.7' 

'  Thermometer. 

2  Deep  sea  thermometer  gave  surface  76°  and  bottom  52.° 

'  Deep  sea  thermometer  gave  surface  78.5°  and  bottoni  52° 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         201 


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202         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


SERIAL  TEMPERATURES  TAKEN  IN  THE  DEEP  HOLE,  JULY,  1900 


Depth 


Air 

Surface. 
5  ft.... 
10  ft.... 
15  ft.... 
20  ft.... 
25  ft. . . . 
30  ft  .. 
32.5  ft.. 
35  ft.... 
40  ft.... 
45  ft.... 
50  ft. . .  . 
55  ft... 
60  ft.... 
65  ft. . . . 
70  ft. . . . 
75  ft.... 
80  ft.... 
85  ft. . . . 


D.tTE 


17 


77.1" 


77.1 
77.1 


72 


62 
57.3 


52.3 
50.5 


50 


50 
49.5 


18 


69.. V 

76.3 

76  3 

76  3 

76.3 

76  3 

75.8 

74 

67 

63 

58.5 

55  5 

52.8 

51.8 

51 

50.9 

50 

49.9 

49.9 

49 


19 


72° 

77 

77 

77 

77.1 

77 

76 

74 

69 

64.5 

57.7 

55 

53.8 

51.5 

50.9 

50.8 

50.3 

49  9 

49.7 

49.2 


20 

21 

22 

76.3° 

65° 

77° 

78 

76.6 

77.5 

78 

77 

77.5 

78.5 

77 

78 

77.9 

77 

77.2 

77.1 

77 

76.9 

76 

75 

75.5 

73.2 

72 

73,1 

70 

70 

69 

63.5 

66.5 

65,6 

57.4 

58 

58.8 

55.5 

55.8 

55 

54 

53 

53  3 

52 

51.6 

52.3 

51 

50.7 

51.1 

50 

50.9 

51 

50 

50 

50 

49.9 

50 

50 

49.9 

49.9 

50 

49,7 

49,5 

49.2 

"6.8 


79. 

79 

79. 

,78. 

77 

7( 

76 

72 

68.6 

66 

58.3 

55 

53 

52 

50.9 

50.1 

50.2 

50.2 

49.8 

49.1 


24 


26 


78° 

78.1 

78.1 

78.1 

78 

76.3 

76 

72.8 

67 

62.2 

56.6 

54 

52 

51 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

49. 


I 


68° 

77.2 

77.5 

78 

77.8 

77.5 

76 

71.5 

68 

61.5 

57 

54.6 

52.3 

51 

50.5 

50.5 

50.5 

50 

50 

50 


69.5 

77 

77 

77 

77 

77 

76.2 

71 

68.5 

63 

57 

54.5 

52.5 

51 

50.6 

50  6 

50.4 

50,2 

50 

49.4 


28   29 


69° 

77 

77 

77 

77 

76.8 

75.2 

72.1 

68 

64 

56.8 

53.9 

52 

51 

50.5 

50.5 

50.4 

50  1 

50 

49.3 


76° 

78 

78 

78 

77.6 

76.1 

75.5 

73 

67.5 

62.8 

57 

53.8 

52 

51 

50.5 

50.3 

50 

50 

49.8 

49.5 


30 


74° 

78 

78 

78 

78 

76.4 

76 

71 

67.3 

65 

57 

54.3 

52.6 

51 

50.5 

50 

50 

50 

50 

49.2 


31 


79° 

78.7 

78.8 

78.5 

78.3 

77 

75.6 

72.2 

68.8 

63.2 

57.1 

54.6 

52.8 

51 

50.5 

50  3 

50 

51 

49.8 

49.5 


SERIAL  TEMPERATURES  TAKEN  IN  THE  DEEP  HOLE,  AUGUST,  1900 


Air 

Surface . 
5  ft ... . 
10  ft.... 
15  ft.... 
20  ft.... 
25  ft ... . 
30  ft ... . 
32.5  ft.. 
35  ft ... . 
40  ft ... . 
45  ft ... . 
50  ft.... 
55  ft ...  . 
60  ft ...  . 
65  ft ... . 
70  ft ... . 
75  ft ... . 
80  ft ... . 
85  ft ... . 


D.VTE 


1 


73° 

78 

78.1 

78 

78 

76.5 

75.6 

73.2 

67.6 

64  1 

58 

54.6 

.52.6 

51 

51 

50.1 

50.2 

50 

49,9 

49,5 


11       13 


15 


73° 

73° 

83.5° 

78 

78.1 

81.8 

78 

78.1 

81.8 

78 

78.1 

79.8 

78 

78 

78.2 

77 

77.6 

77.5 

76.4 

76 

76 

73 

72.5 

72 

68.6 

68.5 

68 

63.2 

64 

63.9 

57.2 

57.9 

57 

55.5 

55 

54.5 

52 

53 

52.5 

51.2 

51 

51.3 

51 

51 

50.8 

50.8 

50.1 

50  3 

50.5 

50.1 

50.1 

50.2 

50 

50 

50 

50 

50 

49-5 

49.8 

49.8 

84° 

82.4 

82.4 

82.2 

79.2 

77.5 

76 

70. 

68. 

62. 

58 

54. 

52. 

51.1 

50  6 

50  5 

50 

50 

50 

49, 


82° 

82.8 

82.8 

82.8 

79.5 

77.5 

76.2 

70.1 


I 


69 

64 

58 

54 

52 

51 

50 

50  4 

50 

50 

50 

49.9 


85° 

83 

83 

82.5 

82 

77.6 

75.7 

70.5 

69.5 

63.5 

58 

55 

52.8 

51.2 

50  6 

50.5 

50  5 

50 

50 

49,9 

77° 

73.2° 

81 

79.8 

81 

79.8 

81 

79.8 

80.8 

79.8 

80.3 

79.8 

75.7 

76.8 

72.3 

68 

64 



59 

55 

52.6 

51.5 

51 

50.8 

50.3 

50.3 

50 

49.8 

78 
78 
78 
78 
78, 
78 
77 
72 
67 
64 
58, 
55 
53 
52 
51, 
51 
51 
.50 
'50, 
'49. 


68 
63. 
60 
56 
54. 
51. 
5  51 
;50. 
50 
5  50, 
3  50 
8    49. 


8 

20 

22 

24 

25 

2° 

80° 

80° 

76.5° 

85° 

2 

80 

80.8 

80.2 

80.1 

2 

79.7 

80.8 

80 

80.1 

2 

79.5 

80.5 

80 

80.1 

2 

79.8 

80.3 

80 

80 

2 

79.1 

79.2 

80 

80 

6 

77.2 

76.9 

77.5 

79.5 

1 

71 

71.5 

73 

71.5 

68.3 

68 

68.5 

3 

65.7 

64 

64 

66.9 

59.8 

59.9 

60.3 

61 

56 

56 

57 

57 

2 

53.5 

54 

54.2 

54.1 

5 

52.5 

52.8 

52.8 

52.5 

52 

52.3 

52 

52.5 

7 

51.5 

51.8 

51.5 

52 

6 

51.2 

51.7 

51.2 

51.8 

3 

51 

51.3 

51.3 

52 

51 

50.8 

51 

51.6 

9 

50.1 

50.2 

51 

51 

30 


79.8° 

80 

80 

80 

79.5 

78.8 

78 

73 

70 

66 

59.8 

56 

54.3 

53 

52  2 

51 

51.8 

51.6 

51 

51 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         203 


SERIAL  TE.MPER.\TURE3  TAKEN  IX  THE  DEEP  HOLE,  SEPTEMBER,  1900 


Date 

Depth 

1 

3 

5 

12 

14 

22 

24 

26 

28 

Air 

82.5° 

77.5° 

86.5° 

68° 

79° 

68° 

63° 

76° 

70  5° 

Surface 

80.1 

79.8 

79 

76 

75 

67  4 

67  2 

70.2 

68.5 

oft 

80 

79.8 

79.1 

76 

75 

67  4 

67  2 

70 

68.5 

10  ft 

79.9 

79.2 

79 

76 

75 

67,4 

67  2 

69 

68.2 

15  ft 

79.7 

78.5 

79 

75.8 

75 

67  2 

67,2 

69 

68.1 

20  ft 

79.4 

78.2 

79 

75,8 

75 

67  2 

67  2 

68  7 

68 

25  ft 

78 

78.2 

79 

75.6 

74,9 

67 

67 

69 

67.8 

30  ft 

73 

75.4 

75.6 

74  5 

74,5 

67 

6(i  S 

68 

67.8 

32.5  ft 

69 
65.2 

71 
65.2 

70.5 
65 

73.9 
73.5 

74 
73 

67 
66.9 

6ti  8 
66 , 8 

35  ft 

67.9 

67 

40  ft 

60.3 

60 

60  1 

64.5 

64.2 

66.5 

66,6 

67  6 

67 

45  ft 

57 
54.8 

57 
54.3 

57 
54.5 

64.5 
58  5 

66 

50  ft 

54.6 

54  5 

55  1 

56    5 

57.9 

52.5  ft 

55 
53  3 

54  1 
53  5 

55  ft 

53 

53.2 

53.5 

53.6 

53.2 

60  ft 

52 

52.5 

52.5 

52.9 

52  4 

52  9 

52.7 

53  3 

52  5 

65  ft 

51.5 
51.5 
51.8 
51.6 

52 
52 
51.7 
51.7 

52 

51.5 
51.3 
51.1 

52 
51  6 

52 

52 
52 
51,5 

5''  4 

70  ft 

51.9 

51.9 
51  7 
51  7 

52 

75  ft 

51  6 

80  ft 

51.4 

51  5 

51  4 

85  ft 

51.5 
50.8 

51.5 
50.9 

51 
50.8 

51  1 

51.9 

] 

51.5 

51.3 

51  4 

89  ft 

bottom  ten 

nperatures 

SERIAL  TEMPERATURES  TAKEN  IN  THE  DEEP  HOLE,  OCTOBER,  1900 


Depth 

D.\TE 

1 

3 

5 

8 

10 

12 

15 

17 

19 

22 

24 

26 

29 

31 

Air 

72.5° 

73 

67.9 

67.8 

67.5 

67.5 

67.4 

67 

67 

66.5 

66 

59 

55 

54.5 

72° 

67.5 

67.5 

67.5 

67.5 

67.3 

67.1 

66.9 

66.7 

66  5 

66.1 

57.6 

55 

53.5 

75.9° 

68.8 

69.5 

69.1 

67.8 

67.2 

66.9 

66,9 

66,8 

66.4 

65,5 

58 

55.3 

54 

54.1° 

67.6 

68 

67.9 

67.9 

67.9 

67.8 

67.6 

67 

66.7 

66  6 

60  6 

57.1 

54.9 

54.5° 

66 

66 

66 

66 

66 

66 

66 

66 

66 

66 

61.7 

57.5 

54.3 

59.5° 

65.2 

65,3 

65.3 

65.3 

65.3 

65.3 

65.2 

65.2 

65 

65 

62 

56.9 

54.4 

63° 

64.9 

64.9 

64.8 

64.8 

64.8 

64.6 

64.5 

64.5 

64.3 

64 

62.7 

58 

54.1 

47.6° 

63 

63.5 

63.4 

63.3 

63.3 

63.3 

63.3 

63.3 

63.3 

63.1 

62 

61 

56.9 

52° 

61 

62.5 

62.3 

62.3 

62.3 

62.3 

62.3 

62.3 

62.3 

62 

61.5 

61.2 

59 

62.9° 

61.5 

61.4 

61.3 

61.3 

61.2 

61.2 

61.2 

61.2 

61.2 

61.2 

61,2 

56.6° 

61.2 

61.2 

61.2 

61.2 

61.2 

61.2 

61.2 

61.2 

61.1 

61.1 

61 

64,5° 

61.5 

61.5 

61.5 

61.4 

61.4 

61.3 

61 

61 

61 

61 

61 

64° 

61.8 

61.8 

61.8 

61.8 

61.7 

61.7 

61.3 

61.3 

61.1 

61 

60.7 

62° 

Surface 

5  ft 

62.5 
62  5 

10  ft 

62  5 

15  ft 

62.5 

20  ft 

62.5 

25  ft 

62.3 

30  ft 

62 

35  ft 

61  9 

40  ft .  . '  .    .    .    . 

61.2 

45  ft 

50  ft 

61 
60  7 

52  5  ft 

55  ft 

61.2 

58.3 

53.2 

53.1 

52 

52 

51.9 

51.5 

60.7 

54.2 

52.3 

52 

52 

51.8 

51.7 

51.2 

60.8 

59.4 

57.4 

52.3 

52 

52 

51.8 

51.6 

60.4 

60.1 

58 

52.3 

52 

52 

51.7 

51.5 

60.3 

59  5  ft 

59.9 

60  ft 

52.5 

52.5 

52 

51.5 

51.5 

51.5 

53 

52 

52 

51.6 

51.6. 

51.5 

52.3 

52 

51.9 

52.2 

51.3 

51.9 

52.9 

52.2 

52 

52 

51.6 

51.6 

52.9 

52.1 

52 

51.9 

51.9 

51.8 

52.9 

52.1 

52 

51.9 

51.9 

51.5 

53 

52.2 

51.9 

51.9 

51.8 

51.1 

52.8 

52.3 

52 

52 

51.9 

51.6 

53 

52.1 

52 

52 

51.8 

51.5 

56  8 

65  ft 

70  ft 

52  5 
52 

75  ft 

51.9 

80  ft .      . 

51.7 

85  ft 

51.5 

204         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


SERIAL  TEMPERATURES  TAKEN  IN  THE  DEEP  HOLE,  NOVEMBER,  1900 


Depth 

D.\TE 

2 

5 

9 

19 

23 

26 

29 

Air 

Surface 

5  ft 

10  ft            

75° 

62 

61  3 

61.3 

61 

61.3 

61 

61 

60.9 

60.5 

60.5 

60 

60 

59.8 

58 

56.5 

52.4 

52 

52 

51.5 

52.9° 

49.9 

59.3 

59.3 

59.3 

59.3 

59.3 

59  2 

59.1 

59  1 

59.1 

59.1 

59 

58.8 

58.5 

58.4 

54 

52 

51.9 

51.9 

45° 

54 

54 

54 

54 

54 

54 

54 

54 

54 

53.9 

53.8 

53.7 

53.7 

51° 

45.9 

45.9 

45.9 

45.9 

45.9 

45.9 

45.8 

45.5 

45.8 

46 

46 

45.8 

45.7 

36.8° 

46.7 

46.7 

46.7 

46.6 

46,5 

46,5 

46.5 

46.7 

46,4 

46.3 

46.2 

46.2 

46.2 

36.2° 

44 

44 

44 

44 

44 

44 

44 

44 

44 

44 

44 

44 

44 

31.5° 
42.9 
42.9 
43 

15  ft     

42  9 

20  ft 

42.9 

25  ft 

42.9 

30  ft 

35  ft 

42.9 
42.9 

40  ft   

42.9 

45  ft ' 

42.9 

50  ft     

42  9 

55  ft 

42.9 

60  ft 

42.9 

62  5  ft 

65  ft 

53.7 
53.3 
53.3 
53.1 

53 

45.8 
45.8 
45.8 
45.8 
46.3 

46.2 
46.2 
46.2 
46  2 
46.2 

44 
44 

44 
44 

44 

42.9 

70  ft 

42.5 

75  ft 

42  5 

80  ft 

42  5 

85  ft            

42  5 

SERIAL  TEMPER \TURES  TAKEN  IN  THE  DEEP  HOLE,  DECEMBER,  1900 


D.\TE 

E 

.\TE 

1 

3 

5 

8 

11 

13 

15 

17 

Air 

39.9° 

41.7 

41.8 

41.7 

41.7 

41.7 

41.9 

41.7 

41.7 

41.7 

41.7 

41.8 

41.8 

41.8 

41.8 

41.8 

41.8 

41.8 

41.8 

47° 

41.7 

41.8 

41.6 

41  6 

41.6 

41.7 

41.3 

41  3 

41.2 

41.3 

41  3 

41.4= 

41.3 

41  3 

41  3 

41.2 

41.3 

42 

36.5° 

41 

41 

41 

41 

41 

41 

41 

41 

41 

41.1 

41 

41 

41 

41 

41 

41 

42 

36.2° 

40.3 

40.3 

40  5 

40  1 

40.3 

40.3 

40.3 

40.3 

40.8 

40  3 

41 

40  2 

41 

41.3' 

29.5° 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38 

37 

37.2 

37 

37.5 

37.4 

37.6 

37.7 

38 

38.1 

37.8 

38 

37.9 

39 

30° 

36.2 

36.1 

36  1 

36.5 

36.1 

36  1 

36.1 

36.5 

36.1 

36.3 

37 

37 

36  4 

36.5 

37.5 

25° 

34.9 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35 

35.5 

35.7 

35.3 

36 

35.5 

36 

35.6 

35.7 

35.7 

38.8 

36 

37 

38  9° 

Surface 

5  ft         

34 

34 

10  ft 

34 

15  ft 

34 

20  ft 

34  1 

25  ft 

34  4 

30  ft 

34  4 

35  ft   

34  4 

40  ft 

35 

45  ft 

34  8 

50  ft 

34  8 

55  ft 

35 

60  ft 

35  1 

65  ft 

34  9 

70  ft 

35 

75  ft 

35 

80  ft     .... 

35 

85  ft     ... 

36 

1  Bottom  at  62  feet. 

■  Certain  slight  anomalies  in  the  temperature  readings  occur  in  our  records,  but  we  believe  the  records 
as  here  given  cannot  be  far  from  correct. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         205 


SERIAL  TEMPERATURES  TAKEN  IX  THE  DEEP  HOLE,  JANUARY,  1901 


Depth 

D.VTE 

1 

4 

7 

9 

18 

26 

30 

Air               

23.1° 

34 

34.1 

34 

34.2 

34.2 

34  6 

34  5 

34.6 

34.8 

34.9 

34.9 

34.9 

35 

35 

35.3 

35.4 

35 

37 

41° 

34.5 

34.5 

34.5 

34.5 

35 

34.5 

34.5 

34.7 

34.9 

34.6 

35.2 

35.5 

35.4 

35  5 

35.8 

35.3 

35.4 

37 

32.1° 

33.7 

34.6 

34.6 

35 

35 

35.2 

35.1 

35.2 

35.7 

37 

36 

36 

36 

36 

35.3 

36.3 

37.6 

37.2 

32° 

34 

34.8 

35.1 

35.3 

35.4 

37. 

35.5 

35 

37.5 

37.2 

37.3 

35.5 

36.1 

36.2 

36.2 

37.2 

36 

37.5 

16.5° 

33.1 

35.1 

35.7 

36 

35.5 

35.4 

35.5 

35.8 

35.9 

36 

36 

36 

36.2 

36.4 

36  5 

36.9 

36.8 

38.1 

23.9° 

34.2 

36.2 

36.3 

36.2 

36.3 

36.3 

36.5 

36.7 

36.9 

37 

37 

37.1 

37.2 

37.2 

37.3 

37 

37 

38.8 

24  9° 

33.4 

5  ft 

10  ft       

36.7 
36.2 

15  ft         

36.5 

20  ft                

36.5 

25  ft 

37 

30  ft     

37 

35  ft     

37,4 

40  ft     

37.7 

45  ft         

37.8 

50  ft 

38 

55  ft". 

38 

60  ft 

37.8 

65  ft     

37.9 

70  ft         

37.3 

75  ft 

37.5 

80  ft 

37.5 

85  ft 

38.3 

SERIAL  TEMPERATURES  TAKEN  IN  THE  DEEP  HOLE,  FEBRUARY,  1901 


Depth 

D.\TE 

5 

8 

16 

25 

27 

Air 

24.9° 

33.7 

36.9 

37.9 

37 

36.7 

37 

37 

37.2 

38 

38 

37.5 

37.7 

37.5 

37.4 

38 

37.7 

38.2 

38.2 

26.8° 

34 

37 

36.5 

36.5 

38.2 

37 

37.1 

37.3 

37.5 

38 

38.1 

37.8 

38 

38.1 

37.5 

37.7 

38.5 

39 

22.5° 

32.3 

36 

36.9 

36.9 

37.1 

37.1 

37.2 

37.2 

37.3 

37.8 

37.8 

38.2 

37.9 

37.9 

37.9 

38.4 

38.8 

39 

36.8° 

33 

36.3 

36.4 

36.5 

37.3 

38 

38 

37.7 

38  3 

37.9 

38.5 

38.3 

38.6 

37.9 

38.1 

38.1 

38.8 

38.9 

27.5° 

Surface 

32.3 

5  ft 

36 

10  ft                      

37 

15  ft                      

37.5 

20  ft                        

37.9 

25  ft                               ... 

37.4 

30  ft 

38 

35  ft      

37.7 

40  ft 

38 

45  ft 

38 

50  ft                          

38 

55  ft 

38 

60  ft 

38 

65  ft 

37.9 

70  ft 

38 

75  ft 

38.1 

80  ft                        

38.9 

85  ft                    

41.3 

206         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


SERIAL  TEMPERATURES  TAKEN  IX  THE  DEEP  HOLE,  MARCH,  1901 


Depth 

D.\TE 

1 

4 

7 

9 

14 

26 

28 

Air 

31.9° 

32.9 

36.9 

36.8 

37.3 

37.9 

38 

37.6 

37.7 

37.9 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38.2 

38.4 

40.1 

36° 

32.9 

37 

37.5 

37.6 

37.3 

37.3 

38 

37.7 

38.1 

38 

38.5 

38.2 

38.1 

38.5 

39 

38.1 

39 

40.4 

36.5° 

32  3 

37.3 

37.5 

37.5 

37.7 

37.6 

37.7 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38 

38.1 

38.4 

38.1 

39 

40.1 

34.5° 

33.1 

37.9 

37.8 

37.9 

37.9 

38.1 

38.3 

38.3 

38.7 

38.7 

39 

38 

38 

38.3 

38 

39.3 

39 

40.2 

30° 
32.8 
38.5 
38.9 
38 
38 

38.1 
38 
38 
38 

.38.9 
39 
38.1 
38 
39 

38.8 
40 

42.3° 

40.1 

40.1 

40.5 

40.5 

40.5 

40.5 

40 

40.3 

40.4 

40 

40.3 

40.1 

39.9 

40.4 

39.9 

40 

40.4 

31  5° 

.Surface 

5  ft 

10  ft 

39.8 
40 
40  2 

15  ft 

39  9 

20  ft 

40 

25  ft 

39  9 

30  ft 

40 

35  ft 

40 

40  ft 

41  8 

45  ft 

40 

50  ft 

40  1 

55  ft 

42'3 

60  ft 

40 

65  ft 

70  ft   

39 
40 

75  ft 

80  ft 

40 
40 

85  ft 

40 

SERIAL  TEMPERATURES  TAKEN  IN  THE  DEEP  HOLE,  APRIL,  1901 


D.\TE 

Depth 

1 

3 

8 

10 

15 

22 

24 

26 

29 

Air 

37° 

39.2° 

42° 

49.5° 

49° 

50° 

57.7° 

63.8° 

77,5° 

.Surface 

39.3 

39.5 

42 

42.9 

45 

45 

46 

49.8 

59 

oft 

39.3 

39.5 

42 

42.8 

45 

45 

46 

49 

55.1 

10  ft 

39.3 

39.6 

42.2 

42.8 

45.9 

45 

45.1 

47.6 

52,8 

15  ft 

39.9 

40 

42.2 

43 

46.5 

44.9 

45.8 

46.9 

50,1 

20  ft 

39.9 

39.5 

42 

42.5 

45 

44.8 

46 

46.8 

47.5 

25  ft 

39.5 

40 

42.2 

42.6 

44.3 

44.8 

45.6 

46.8 

47 

30  ft 

39.5 

39.5 

42.6 

42.6 

46.2 

45 

45 

46.1 

46.5 

35  ft 

41.2 

39.5 

42 

42.9 

45.9 

45.1 

45.6 

46 

46 

40  ft 

41.7 

39.4 

42.2 

43 

44.2 

44.8 

45.7 

46 

46 

45  ft 

41.7 

39.6 

42 

42.9 

44.3 

45.1 

45.6 

45.8 

45.9 

50  ft 

39.4 

39.5 

42 

42,5 

44 

44.8 

45.9 

45.5 

46 

55  ft 

39.3 

39.5 

43 

44 

44.7 

45.1 

45.5 

45.3 

60  ft 

39.4 
39.4 

40 
40 

42.9 
42.4 

44 
43.3 

44.7 
44.6 

45.1 
45.5 

45.4 
45.3 

45  2 

65  ft 

45.2 

70  ft        .     . 

39.4 
39.2 
41.5 
39.6 

39.5 
40 
40 
40 

42,4 
42.3 
42,7 
39 

43.5 

43.1 
43,4 
43 

45 
44.7 

45 

45.1 
45.5 
45 

45.8 
45.1 
45.1 
45 

45.6 

75  ft 

45.7 

80  ft 

45.2 

85  ft 

44.8 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         207 


SERIAL  TEMPERATURES  TAKEN   IN  THE   DEEP   HOLE,  M.W,  IdOl 


D.VTES 

Depth 

4 

7 

13 

15 

17 

22 

24 

28 

30 

Air 

76.9° 

67° 

61° 

78° 

77.6° 

58° 

58° 

56.5° 

57° 

Surface 

61 

63 

60 

66 

68.5 

61 

62.5 

58.2 

58 

5  ft 

61 

63  1 

60.1 

61 

63,9 

61 

62.5 

58.9 

58.3 

10  ft 

60.9 

63.4 

60 

60 

62 

61.4 

63 

58.2 

58 

15  ft 

60.4 

62 

59.5 

59.4 

60 

61.4 

63 

58.8 

57.8 

20  ft 

56.1 

56.5 

60.6 

59.4 

59 

61.3 

63 

58.8 

57.9 

25  ft 

50.5 

56.4 

56.8 

58,1 

57.2 

61.2 

63 

58 

57.4 

30  ft 

47.5 

48.6 

49.9 

50.1 

51,3 

52,3 

54 

58 

57 

35  ft 

47.1 

47.3 

49 

50,2 

49 

49,2 

50,6 

54  5 

56  5 

40  ft 

47 

47.4 

48 

49.7 

48.2 

48.9 

49.9 

50.3 

50.9 

45  ft 

46.6 

46,5 

49 

47.9 

47.3 

47,9 

49 

49 

48.9 

50  ft 

46 

46,1 

46.8 

47.5 

47.5 

47,9 

47,5 

48.5 

48 

55  ft 

46 

46,2 

46.4 

46.8 

47 

47.1 

47,5 

47.5 

47.9 

60  ft 

45.5 

45.5 

47 

46.3 

46.5 

47 

47 

47,1 

47 

65  ft 

46 

45  5 

46,5 

47 

47 

46.9 

46,8 

46.9 

47 

70  ft 

45.3 

45,9 

46,5 

46.1 

46 

47 

46.9 

46.5 

47 

75  ft 

45.9 

45.4 

46 

46,5 

46 

46.6 

46.8 

46.5 

47 

80  ft 

45.3 

46 

46 

46.3 

46.5 

47.6 

46.7 

46,5 

46.9 

85  ft 

45.1 

45.6 

45.9 

46 

46.3 

46,2 

46.5 

46  6 

SERIAL  TEMPERATURES  TAKEN  IN  THE   DEEP  HOLE,  JUNE,  1901 


Depth 

D.\TES 

1 

3 

6 

8 

10 

12 

17 

19 

21 

24 

26 

28 

Air 

Surface 

5  ft 

10  ft 

66° 

59.5 

59.5 

60 

59.7 

59 

58.3 

57.9 

57 

49.9 

49 

48.4 

48 

49 

47 

47 

47.5 

47 

65.3° 

60.9 

61 

61.1 

61 

60.2 

58.8 

57.3 

55.9 

52.3 

50 

48.1 

47.9 

47.8 

47.1 

47,5 

47 

47 

46.9 

67° 

65.5 

65.5 

65.7 

64.2 

64 

60 

58 

56.2 

53 

52.1 

51.6 

51 

48.2 

47.8 

47.5 

47.5 

47.5 

47 

54.5° 

63.5 

63.5 

64 

63.4 

63.2 

61.9 

57.6 

54.8 

52 

50,9 

49.3 

52.8 

48.2 

48 

48.2 

48 

47,8 

47.3 

66.2° 

65 

64.8 

65.1 

64.9 

64 

62.8 

59,4 

54,1 

52 

50,2 

49.8 

48.6 

48.3 

48.2 

48 

47.9 

47.9 

47.3 

89.5° 

79.6 

72.5 

69 

66,5 

64,5 

62 

58,7 

54,8 

52.3 

51 

50 

49 

48.3 

11.5 

48 

48.3 

48 

48.1 

74° 

76 

76.1 

76 

68,6 

66,1 

62,8 

59 

54.9 

53.5 

50.9 

50 

50 

49 

48.8 

49 

48.2 

48.1 

48.5 

83° 

80 

75.5 

74.9 

71,5 

66 

62 

58.1 

54.5 

52 

51 

51 

49.5 

49 

48.6 

48.4 

48.2 

48.1 

48 

77.9° 

76.9 

77 

77 

75.9 

66.5 

62.3 

58.1 

55.6 

53.2 

50.9 

50 

49.3 

49.9 

49 

48.8 

49 

49 

48 

83.5° 

78.8 

78.3 

78.2 

78 

67.1 

61.6 

58 

55.6 

53 

52 

50.2 

49.9 

49.2 

49 

48.9 

48.8 

48.5 

48.4 

83° 

82 

82.5 

80.8 

77.4 

68 

63 

58 

55.5 

54 

51.9 

50.1 

50.5 

49  5 

49.1 

49 

49.1 

49 

48.8 

88.2° 
83 
83 
83 

15  ft 

82.9 

20  ft 

67.2 

25  ft 

62 

30  ft 

58.9 

35  ft 

55.6 

40  ft 

53.0 

45  ft 

52 

50  ft    

51 

55  ft            ... 

50  4 

60  ft 

49.7 

65  ft 

49.2 

70  ft 

49 

75  ft 

49 

80  ft 

49 

85  ft 

49 

14—17618 


208         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


SERIAL  TEMPERATURES  AT  THE   DEEP  HOLE,  LAKE  MAXINKUCKEE, 

JULY— SEPTExMBER,  1899 


July 

August 

September 

Depth 

^lax. 

Min. 

Mean. 

Max. 

Min. 

Mean. 

Max. 

Min. 

Mean . 

Surface 

80.5° 

77.0° 

79.2° 

79.5° 

74.0° 

76.7° 

77.0° 

66,0° 

72  1° 

5  ft 

80.8 

77.0 

79.3 

79.5 

74.2 

76.8 

77.0 

66  0 

72.0 

10  ft 

81.0 

77.0 

79  2 

79.5 

74.3 

76.7 

76  5 

66  0 

71.9 

15  ft 

80.2 

76.5 

78.3 

79.2 

74.0 

76.3 

75  5 

66  0 

71.3 

20  ft 

78.0 

74.7 

75.7 

78.2 

73.0 

75,6 

74  5 

66  0 

71.0 

25  ft 

74  0 

72.0 

72.8 

76.2 

71.0 

73.8 

73  5 

66  0 

70.5 

30  ft 

71.0 

69.0 

69.7 

72.0 

67.3 

70.0 

71  0 

64.8 

68.2 

32  5  ft 

66.7 
66.0 

63.2 
60.3 

65  4 
62.9 

69,0 
67,0 

63  0 

58.7 

65.7 

35  ft 

69.5 

63  0 

61.7 

63.1 

40  ft 

63.0 

57.3 

58.7 

60.5 

55.8 

58.1 

63,5 

54.8 

57.9 

50  ft 

57.5 

52  5 

53  2 

55.5 

50.7 

53  3 

54  5 

50  0 

52  1 

60  ft 

52.5 

50  5 

51.7 

53.0 

49.5 

51  5 

53  0 

48.8 

50.8 

70  ft 

51.8 

50.5 

51.2 

52.2 

49.0 

51.0 

52  0 

48.5 

50.3 

80  ft 

51.7 

50.3 

50.9 

52.1 

49.0 

50.8 

52,0 

49.5 

50.2 

85  ft 

51.3 

50  5 

50.8 

52.2 

48.7 

50.6 

52,0 

48,4 

50.1 

Moonlight  on  Lake  Maxinkuckee. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         209 


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210         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


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Lake  Maxhikiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


211 


The  Kettlehole: — Similar  observations  were  made  at  the  Kettle- 
hole  in  July,  August,  and  September,  1899,  and  again  in  the  same 
months  in  1900.  The  records  are  shown  in  the  tables  on  the  fol- 
lowing pages.  The  highest  surface  temperatures  recorded  at  the 
Kettlehole  was  83.2°  on  August  7  and  22,  1900,  the  lowest  tempera- 
ture 48.5°  at  40  feet  on  September  8,  1899.  The  maximum  differ- 
ence between  surface  and  bottom  was  31.9°. 

SERIAL  TEMPERATURES  TAKEN  AT  THE  KETTLEHOLE,   LAKE  MAXINKUCKEE 


D.\TE 

Depth 

July  28, 

July  30, 

Aug.  3, 

Aug.  7, 

Sept.  4, 

Sept.  8, 

Sept. 19, 

July  16, 
7:15- 

July  17, 
10:40- 

July  21, 

3  p.  111. 

ICOO 

1899 

1899 

1899 

1899 

1899 

1899 

1899 

9:30  a.m. 

11:30  a.m. 

ICOO 

lEOO 

Air 

£0° 
76.5° 

70.5° 

74 

57.5° 
68 

Surface .... 

80.7" 

79" 

79.2° 

78° 

77° 

76° 

78.9° 

5  ft 

80.5 
80.5 

78.5 
78.5 

79.5 

78.4 

77.5 
77.5 

76  5 
74  5 

74 
74 

68 
68 

10  ft 

76.5 

76 

76.8 

15  ft 

78,3 
71.5 

77.3 
72.5 

77.2 
73.6 

76,8 
74 

73.5 
70  5 

74 
72  5 

68 
67.5 

20  ft 

72 

74 

74 

2.5  ft 

66 
57.3 

64.3 
56.5 

64.2 
56.7 

66 
57.1 

60  5 
53.5 

61 
53.5 

66 
56,3 

30  ft 

56.5 

59 

59 

35  ft 

53 

52.5 

51  2 

/52.5" 
(50 

f51.5' 

\5O.5 

)54> 
151.7 

40  ft 

50.6 

50.5 

50  7 

50.5 

49 

48.5 

50.5 

53 

50 

51 

44  ft 

49.6 
Light 

50 
Light 

49.7 

Wind 

tain  and 

North 

from 

S.E. 

breeze 

North; 

wind. 

lake 

strong 

very 

at  times. 

rough. 

■  At  32.5  feet. 


212 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


SERI.\L  TEMPERATURES  TAKEN  AT  THE  KETTLEHOLE,   LAKE  MAXINKUCIvEE 


Date 

Depth 

July  23, 
4:10- 

5  p.  m. 
1900 

July  27, 

1900 

4:00- 

4:45  p. 

July  30, 

1900 

10:00- 

10:50  a. 

July  31, 

1900 

10:10- 

10:50  a. 

Aug.  7, 
1900 
3:05- 

3:40  p. 

Aug.  16, 

1900 

7:30- 

8:40  a. 

-■^ug.  22, 

1900 

3:55- 

4.30  p. 

Sept.  14, 

1900 

1:30  p. 

Sept.  22. 

1900 
4-5:30  p. 

Air 

76° 
79.5 

83.0° 
79 

70° 

78 

86° 

76.5 

76 

75.4 

75 

74.3 

73 

63.3 
f58i 
\54 

52.8 
Hazy; 
threat- 
ening rain; 

S.  E. 
breeze. 

Surface 

5  ft 

83.0° 

79° 

83.2° 

83.2° 

69.3° 
67  5 

10  ft 

15  ft 

77.9 

77 

77 

78.5 

79.2 

77.9 

80.8 

67 
66.6 

20  ft 

25  ft 

74.2 

73.3 
66.7 
58 

75 

67.4 

58 

74.5 
68.4 
58.8 

75 

76.5 
67.1 
59 
50.5 

77.6 

66.6 
65.2 

30  ft 

35  ft 

59 

58.2 

59.2 

65 
56 

40  ft 

51.1 

50.9 
Sky 

hazy; 

wind 

S.  E. 

slight 
waves. 

50  7 

50.4 

50.8 
Scattered 
Clouds; 

S.  W. 

wind; 

slight 

waves. 

51.3 

Scattered 

clouds; 

S.  E. 

wind; 

moderate 

waves. 

54 

Cloudy 
N.  E. 
wind; 
slight 

waves. 

Very 

light 

S.  W. 

breeze. 

1  At  32.5  feet. 


MISCELLANEOUS  TEMPERATURES  TAKEN  AT  THE  KETTLEHOLE,  JULY  25,  1899 


Depth 

Temperatures 

Surface  ...                                                                              

79  5° 

1  ft •                  

79  5 

2ft...^ 

79.6 

3  ft 

79.7 

4  ft 

80 

5  ft .             

79  9 

6  ft 

7  ft 

23  ft • 

621 

35  ft ■■ 

50.5  = 

52.0' 

42  ft 

oO.o* 

'  20  oar  strokes  northwest  of  Kettlehole. 
2  10  oar  strokes  northwest  of  the  Ivettlehole. 
'  10  oar  strokes  north  of  the  Kettlehole. 
<  10  oar  strokes  west  of  the  Ivettlehole. 


Temperatures  taken  at  the  Sugarloaf: — A  few  temperatures 
were  taken  at  the  Sugarloaf.  On  Algust  26,  1899,  the  surface 
was  76.5°,  and  the  bottom  76.3°  at  10  feet.  On  August  9,  1900 
(9:55  to  10:15  a.  m.),  the  water  on  the  Sugarloaf  was  9.75  feet 
deep.     The  temperature  at  the  surface  was  82.8°,  and  at  the  bot- 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         213 


torn  82.2°.  On  August  13,  at  10:45  a.  m.,  when  the  air  was  79.8°, 
the  surface  was  81.2°,  and  the  bottom  80.8  at  10  feet.  On  August 
20,  at  10:30  a.m.,  the  surface  was  80.7°  and  the  bottom  80°  at  10 
feet. 

Miscellaneous  temperature  records: — On  July  18,  1899,  the  fol- 
lowing records  were  made  at  a  plankton  station  by  Messrs.  Scovell 
and  Juday,  at  certain  places  having  the  depths  indicated: 


Temperatures 

Depth  in  Feet 

Surface 

Bottom 

30 

77° 

70° 

50 

77 

67 

70 

77 

52.5 

70 

77 

51.5 

On  July  18,  1899,  a  series  of  surface  and  bottom  temperatures 
was  taken  on  a  line  from  near  the  end  of  Long  Point  toward  the 
Maxinkuckee  road,  the  last  being  in  the  Deep  Hole  where  a  regular 
observation  station  was  then  established : 


TeMPER.\TURE3 

Depth  in  Feet 

Surface                     Bottom 

14 

75.2° 

75.7° 

19 

75.2 

29 

75.2 

73 

35.5 

75 . 5 

69.5 

37 

75 

62 

45 

75.2 

55 

58 

75.2 

52  7 

69 

75 

52 

74 

75.1 

51 

75 

75.2 

51.1 

69 

76 

51.5 

89.5 

76 

51 

On  August  26,  1899,  the  following  temperatures  were  obtained 
with  the  thermophone  on  a  line  between  Long  Point  and  the  ice 
houses:  surface,  76.8°;  at  10  feet,  76.3°;  at  20  feet,  75.2°;  at 
30  feet,  69.5°;  at  38  feet  (bottom),  59.8°. 

On  August  19,  1899  (from  8:30  a.m.  to  4:30  p.m.),  the  fol- 
lowing thermophone  readings  were  obtained  on  a  line  starting  op- 
posite the  Gravelpit  and  running  east,  making  a  station  every 
15  oar  strokes : 


214 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


TE.MPER.\Tt-RE 

Depth  in  Feet 

Notes 

Surface 

Bottom 

0.5 

77.5° 

77.5° 

Began  at  8:30  a.  m.;  air  in  sun  82°. 

4,5 

77 

76.5 

7.5 

76 

76 

21.0 

77 

72.5 

9.0 

77 

75 

4.5 

77 

76.5 

6.0 

77 

76.5 

6.0 

77 

76.5 

6.0 

77,5 

76.5 

6.0 

l(  .r> 

76.5 

6,0 

11. b 

76.5 

6.0 

lib 

77 

7,5 

77,5 

77 

6,0 

77,5 

76,75 

6,75 

77.5 

75,5 

7.5 

77.5 

76 

45 

77.5 

56 

45 

78 

58 

55 

78.5 

52.5 

,10:40  a.  m. 

55 

78.5 

54.5 

55 

78 

55 

57 

78 

56.5 

51 

78 

53.5 

54 

77,5 

53.2 

11:30  a.  m. 

57 

78 

52.75 

3:15  p.  m. 

52.5 

78 

53 

48 

78 

54.5 

10,5 

78 

74.5 

10,5 

78.5 

74 

10,5 

78.3 

74 

9.0 

78.5 

74.5 

9.0 

79 

76 

6.0 

79 

78 

5.0 

79.5 

79 

2.75 

80 

79 

.50 

83.5 

83.5 

4:00  p.  m.    East  shore,  570  strokes. 

TEMPERATURES  TAKEN  AT  PLANKTON  STATION   No.  3 


Depth  in  Feet 

Temperature 
July  30,  1900, 
11-11:45  a.m.    ^ 

Temperature 
August  16,  1900, 
8:20-9:30  a.  m. 

Air 

82.8° 

79.8 

78 

76.5 

74 

69,5 

61.1 

58.6 

56 

74° 

Surface 

78  5 

10  ft 

78  9 

20  ft 

78  1 

30  ft 

72 

32.5  ft 

35  ft 

63  8 

40  ft 

59  1 

42.5  ft 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         215 


THE  FOLLOWING  TEMPERATURES  WERE  RECORDED  SEPTEMBER  28,  1899 


Station 

Depth  in  Feet 

Temperature 

Notes 

1 

6 

59° 

Air  at  8:15  a.  m.  63°. 

2 

36 

59 

Surface  temperature  at  noon, 
62°. 

3 

30 

59 

4 

34 

59.5 

5 

28 

60 

6 

6 

59.5 

7 

12 

60 

8 

56 

60.5 

9 

50 

60.5 

10 

50 

61 

11 

50 

60 

On  August  14,  1900,  the  following  temperatures  were  taken  in 
Aubeenaubee  Creek,  between  2:30  and  4  p.m.:  Near  head  of 
creek,  63° ;  10  rods  lower  down,  66.2° ;  50  rods  lower  down,  68°. 

On  August  21,  1900,  between  8:10  and  11  a.m.,  the  following 
temperatures  were  taken  in  Culver  Creek:  At  bend  of  creek  just 
east  of  the  Academy  grounds,  69''  ;  at  bridge  at  east  edge  of  Acad- 
emy grounds,  70.2° ;  just  below  the  bridge,  70.5°,  at  bridge  in  Acad- 
emy grounds,  71.5° ;  at  mouth  of  creek,  76.5°. 

Turning  over  of  the  /aA:e ;-  -Perhaps  the  most  interesting  phe- 
nomenon connected  with  such  bodies  of  water  as  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee is  the  "turning  over"  which  may  occur  each  fall.  This  can 
be  understood  from  a  consideration  of  a  selected  few  of  the  daily 
serial  temperatures.  The  greatest  density  of  fresh  water  is 
reached  when  the  water  has  attained  a  temperature  of  39.2°. 
When  the  temperature  goes  below  39.2°  it  begins  to  expand,  and 
freezes  at  32°.  When  the  temperature  rises  above  39.2°  it  also 
begins  to  expand  and  continues  to  do  so,  however  warm  the  water 
may  become.  As  water  expands  its  weight  decreases.  In  other 
words,  above  the  point  of  greatest  density,  the  weight  of  water 
varies  inversely  with  its  temperature,  the  higher  the  temperature 
the  lighter  the  water.  A  cubic  foot  of  water  at  a  temperature  of 
80°  weighs  less  than  a  cubic  foot  of  water  at  50°."=  On  July  24, 
1900,  the  surface  temperature  was  80.3°.  From  the  surface  down- 
ward the  temperature  was  successively  lower  until,  at  the  bottom, 
it  was  49.3°,  or  31°  colder  than  the  surface.  A  column  of  water  in 
that  part  of  the  lake  on  that  date,  one  inch  square  and  equal  in 
length  to  the  depth  of  the  lake,  89  feet,  may  be  likened  to  a  column 
of  metal  which  increases  slightly  and  uniformly  in  size  and  weight 

*A    cubic    foot    of    fresh    water    at    50^     Fahr.    wci.uhs    li2.:!ol8!t:i    pminils  :    at    S0°     it    \vci;J:h!; 
62.186012  pounds,  a  difference  of  2.334096  ounces. 


216         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

from  surface  to  bottom.  So  long  as  the  upper  end  is  lighter  than 
the  lower,  the  column  will  remain  upright.  But  if  the  metal  column 
should  be  reversed,  bringing  the  heavy  end  up  and  the  light  end 
down,  any  slight  disturbance  would  cause  it  to  reverse  itself  and 
again  assume  the  more  stable  position  with  the  heavier  end  down. 
The  same  is  true  of  the  column  of  water.  So  long  as  the  colder, 
heavier  water  is  at  the  bottom,  it  will  so  remain ;  but  let  the  upper 
end  of  the  column  become  the  colder  and,  consequently,  the  heavier, 
it  will  go  down,  and  the  lighter  bottom  water  will  come  up.  That 
is  precisely  what  does  happen.  If  the  series  of  temperatures  from 
July  24  onward  be  examined  it  will  be  observed  that  the  difference 
between  the  surface  and  bottom  temperatures  becomes  successively 
less.  By  the  23d  of  November,  1900,  the  difference  was  only  .5 
of  a  degree,  the  surface  being  46.7°  and  the  bottom  46.2°.  Some- 
time between  the  23d  and  the  26th,  probably  on  the  night  of  the 
24th,  the  temperature  throughout  the  upper  half  of  the  column 
fell  below  46°,  or  lower  than  that  of  the  lower  end  of  the  column. 
The  upper  half  of  the  column  then  being  the  heavier,  it  of  necessity 
went  to  the  bottom,  the  bottom  half  came  up,  and  the  temperature 
of  the  lake  became  uniform  throughout.  This  is  shown  by  the 
serial  temperature  readings  of  November  26,  which  show  that  the 
temperature  at  all  depths  from  top  to  bottom  was  44°,  a  condition 
which  practically  continued  until  the  ice  went  off.  It  can  there- 
fore be  safely  assumed  that,  in  1900,  Lake  Maxinkuckee  "turned 
over"  some  time  between  the  evening  of  November  23  and  the 
morning  of  the  26th;  and  what  occurred  then,  in  all  probability, 
occurs  every  November  or  December. 

The  highest  surface  temperature  recorded  at  the  Deep  Hole  was 
83°  on  August  11,  1900,  the  bottom  temperature  at  the  same  time 
being  49.9°,  the  difference  between  surface  and  bottom  being  33.1°. 
The  lowest  summer  bottom  temperature  obtained  in  the  Deep  Hole 
was  48.7°  on  August  31,  1899;  the  lowest  recorded  at  the  Kettle- 
hole  was  48.5°  on  September  8, 1899. 

CONDITION  OF 'THE  WATER 

Clearness: — The  water  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee  is  generally  com- 
mented upon  by  visitors,  and  boasted  about  by  the  natives,  on  ac- 
count of  its  clearness  and  purity. 

After  a  long  sojourn  at  Winona  Lake,  Indiana,  paying  particu- 
lar attention  to  the  lake,  a  visit  to  Lake  Maxinkuckee  excited  a 
marked  sensation  of  surprise  at  the  clearness  of  the  water;  in 
Winona  Lake  it  was  somewhat  tea-color;  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee, 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         217 

at  considerable  depths,  it  exhibited  an  indescribable  play  of  trans- 
parent green,  something  like  that  of  an  opal  in  some  lights. 

Unfortunately,  we  have  not  a  long  series  of  records  taken  under 
different  conditions  the  year  round  which  would  give  an  absolute 
test,  and  if  there  were  such  records,  it  would  be  diflicult  to  find  a 
large  number  of  other  lakes  with  records  with  which  it  might  be 
compared.  On  September  20,  1907,  when  the  sky  was  well  clouded 
over,  a  secchi  disk  was  visible  at  9  feet.  The  same  disk  at  Holem 
Lake,  of  the  Twin  Lakes,  Indiana,  on  September  23,  1907,  when 
the  sky  was  bright  and  clear,  was  visible  at  13  feet,  and  at  Cook 
Lake,  another  of  the  Twin  Lakes,  under  the  same  conditions,  at  the 
same  depth.  At  Lake  Mendota,  Minn.,  September  18,  1907,  with 
a  cloudy  sky,  the  same  disk  was  visible  at  a  depth  of  6^  feet. 

One  might,  indeed,  take  as  a  measure  of  the  clearness  of  the 
water,  the  depth  at  which  green  plants  grow  in  the  lake,  the  chief 
limiting  factor  in  this  case  being  the  depth  to  which  light  pene- 
trates.    The  lower  limit  of  plant  life  in  the  lake  is  about  25  feet. 

A  remarkable  feature  of  the  water  is  its  freedom  fi'om  mud. 
Even  after  heavy  rains  the  inlets  bring  in  but  little  water,  and  be- 
cause of  the  general  absence  of  clay,  they  bring  in  but  little  mud 
even  when  they  have  the  swiftest  current.  Strong  winds  may 
make  the  water  turbid  near  shore,  and  on  one  occasion,  in  the 
autumn  of  1900,  the  whole  lake  was  rendered  slightlj^  turbid  by  a 
long  continued  wind  and  rough  lake,  but  in  all  cases  the  lake  soon 
settles  clear.  During  the  winter  of  1900-1901,  the  Chara  and 
Potaviogeton  rohhinsii  showed  up  so  clearly  through  several  feet 
of  water  and  clear  ice  that  they  impressed  a  very  excellent  image 
on  a  photographic  plate,  and  the  experience  of  traveling  over  this 
clear  ice  and  seeing  the  fine  meadows  in  the  bottom,  with  the 
turtles  and  gars  and  dogfish  resting  quietly  or  moving  slowly 
about,  impresses  one  with  the  great  opportunity  offered  along  the 
lines  of  a  new  field  of  photography,  that  of  subaqueous  landscapes. 

Any  one  looking  down  in  the  water  on  a  calm,  bright  day  and 
studying  it  attentively  will  note  small  flecks  or  motes,  the  number 
of  these  differing  in  different  seasons  of  the  year  and  in  different 
lakes.  These  motes  usually  represent  low  algal  forms  which  make 
up  the  phyto-plankton  of  the  lake.  In  Winona  Lake  this  suspended 
matter  was  so  abundant  that  the  sun's  rays  lighted  up  the  particles 
in  long  lines,  as  in  the  familiar  phenomenon  of  the  light  entering 
a"  slit  in  a  dark,  dusty  room,  or  the  "sun  drawing  water."  In  some 
cases  the  algse  forming  these  motes  have  colonies  of  sufficiently 
characteristic  shape  to  be  recognizable,  but  generally  not.  Lyngbi/a 
has  the  appearance  of  short  hair  clippings;  Clathrocystis  has  the 


218         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

appearance  of  minute  smoke  rings ;  Aphanizomenon,  which  is  rare 
in  our  Indiana  lakes  but  is  common  in  some  northern  Minnesota 
lakes  and  in  the  Mississippi  River,  is  easily  recognizable,  as  rather 
large,  green  colonies,  acute  at  each  end,  much  like  the  little  duck- 
weed, WolffieUa.  Anabaena,  the  most  common  alga  of  Lake  Max- 
inkuckee, has  no  definite  form.  In  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  rare 
that  great  areas  are  covered  with  algal  scum,  though  there  are 
sometimes  rather  long  stretches  in  sheltered  bays.  The  plankton 
scum  usually  makes  its  first  appearance  about  the  end  of  July  and 
continues  on  calm  days  until  freezing. 

The  entire  lake  surface  is  not  frequently  calm  for  longer  in- 
tervals than  a  day ;  June,  July  and  August  are  generally  the  calmer 
months.  The  surface  is  generally  rippled,  usually  pretty  rough, 
during  the  spring  and  later  autumn.  Periods  of  calm  during  the 
morning  and  evening  are  frequent  the  year  round  during  fine 
weather. 

Chemical  condition: — An  important  feature  of  the  water  is  its 
chemical  condition.  A  chemical  examination  of  the  water  was 
made  by  Prof.  Chancey  Juday  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin.  The 
test  for  hardness  used  was  Siler's  method,  in  which  a  coal  tar  prod- 
uct, methyl  orange,  is  used  to  color  the  water.  The  amount  of 
hydrochloric  acid  necessary  to  turn  it  faintly  pink  indicates  the 
hardness. 

The  test  used  for  oxygen  was  Winkler's  method  given  in 
Sutton's  Volumetric  Analysis,  and  is  as  follows : 

1.  Add  manganous  chloride. 

2.  Add  KOH  -^  KT  =  a  precipitate  with  brown,  if  oxygen  is  present. 

3.  Add  Cone.   HCl. — dissolves  precipitate.     If  oxygen  is  not  present  the 

liquid  is  clear.  If  oxygen  is  present  it  is  yellowish  or  brownish. 
It  may  now  be  lefc  several  days. 

4.  To    determine    amount    of    oxygen,    titrate    with    hypo,    1/80    normal, 

using  (cooked)  starch  as  an  indicator.  The  amount  of  hypo  re- 
quired to  clear  up  the  blue  caused  by  addition  of  starch  is  an  index 
to  the  amount  of  oxygen.  In  the  following  tables,  prepared  by 
Prof.  Juday,  is  shown  the  character  of  the  water. 

Both  the  CO.  and  the  oxygen  are  expressed  in  cubic  centi- 
meters per  liter  of  water.  The  full  face  figures  indicate  the 
amount  of  the  alkalinity,  i.  e.,  it  would  require  that  number  of  cubic 
centimeters  of  free  CO.  to  make  the  water  neutral.  The  light  face 
figures  in  the  column  marked  free  CO.  indicate  the  acidity.  Cal- 
cium and  magnesium  are  found  in  water  almost  entirely  as  bicar- 
bonates,  and  chemists  regard  the  CO.  as  half-bound  or  bicarbonate 
CO.,  and  bound  or  carbonate  CO.,  so  we  have  indicated  them  in  this 
way  on  the  tables.     In  neutral  or  acid  water  they  are  regarded  as 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         219 

equal  in  amount,  but  in  alkaline  water  the  bound  or  carbonate  CO. 
is  in  excess  of  the  half-bound.  The  results  of  the  investigation 
showed  that  the  water  of  the  lake  was  softer  than  that  of  the  well 
(Chadwick's)  with  which  it  was  compared;  also  that  the  difference 
between  the  Kettlehole  and  the  main  lake  is  a  curious  and  inter- 
esting thing.  They  differ  as  widely  as  if  they  were  separate  lakes 
and  not  connected  in  any  way.  A  further  study  of  them  would 
prove  very  interesting.  In  the  main  lake  the  excess  of  alkalinity 
extends  to  a  depth  of  8  meters  (26]  feet).  At  9  meters  (29.1  feet) 
the  water  is  neutral,  below  which  point  it  is  increasingly  acid.  The 
Kettlehole  shows  less  alkalinity  at  the  surface  and  a  much  more 
rapidly  increasing  acidity  at  the  bottom.  In  the  lake  the  oxygen 
decreases  rapidly  from  the  surface  down  to  the  13  (43^  feet) 
meter  depth  below  which  there  is  no  free  oxygen.  In  the  Kettle- 
hole the  free  oxygen  disappears  at  10  meters  (32*  feet).  The 
free  oxygen  is  more  abundant  in  the  surface  water  of  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee than  in  any  of  the  Indiana  lakes  with  which  it  was  com- 
pared, and  extends  to  a  considerably  greater  depth,  being  found 
down  to  12  (39.'i  feet)  meters  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  9  meters  (29^ 
feet)  at  the  Kettlehole,  8  meters  (26  [  feet)  at  Cook  Lake,  6 
meters  (19^  feet)  at  Holem  Lake,  and  disappearing  at  the  13 
meters  (43^  feet)  in  Lake  Mendota,  Minn. 

,    CHEMICAL  CHARACTER  OF  THE  WATER  OF  LAKE  MAXINKUCKEE 

Station  I,  in  the  Deep  Hole,  Sept.  20,  1907,  2:30  to  4:40  p.  m. 

Sky  chiefly  cloudy. 

Wind,  rather  strong  southwest,  falling  toward  evening;  a  few  whitecaps. 

Secchi  disk  visible  at  depth  of  9  feet. 


Meters 

Depth  in  Feet 

Temperature 

C.\RBON  Dioxide 

Oxygen 

Free 

Bicarb. 

Carb. 

0 
3 

0 
10 
17 
23 

26.25 
30 
33 
36 
39 

42.5 
46 
49 
57.4 
67.6 
74 
82 
84 

72° 

3.8 

20,7 

24.5 
24.5 
24.5 
24.5 
24.8 
25.8 
25.8 
25.9 
26.8 
28.0 
30.9 
31  3 
31  3 
31.4 

6.3 
6  3 

5 

7 
8 
9  ' 

72 
71 
67.5 

3.6 

3  0 
11 

Neutral 
0.4 
1.4 
2.5 
2.9 

20  9 

21  5 
23.7 
25.8 
25.8 
25.9 
26.8 
28.0 

30  9 

31  3 
31  3 
31.4 

6  1 
5.5 
4.0 
2  7 

10 
11 

66 

O    0 

1.3 

12 
13 
14 

64 
59.5 

0  4 
0.0 
0.0 

15 

20 

22M 
25 

59 

3.2 
3.7 

3  9 
4.7 
5.3 

0.0 
0.0 

58 

0.0 
0.0 

31  6 

31  6 

0  0 

25y2 

57 

0.0 

220         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


CHEMICAL  CHARACTER  OF  THE  WATER  OF  LAKE  MAXINKUCKEE 

Station,  Kettlehole,  September  24,  1907,  a.  m. 

Sky,  cloudy  in  west. 

Wind,  fresh,  south;  moderate  waves. 


C.\RBOX  Dioxide 

Meters 

Depth,  feet 

Temperature 

Oxygen 

Free 

Bicarb. 

Carb. 

0 

0 

65° 

2  3 

24,5 

26.8 

4.9 

5 

17.4 

64  6 

2  1 

24.7 

26,8 

4.9 

23.0 
29.5 

64 
6L7 

9 

3.7 

32.2 

n.2 

0  06 

10 

32.8 

58.6 

7.8 

38.2 

38.2 

0  0 

11 

36.0 

57.5 

8.6 

40.0 

40  0 

0.0 

nVi 

37.7 

56.6 

For  purposes  of  co.Tipa"ison  we  give  the  results  of  similar  oxygen  tests  made  by  Professor  Juday,  at  certain 
other  lakes. 

CHEMICAL  CHARACTER  OF  THE  WATER   IN  COOK  LAKE,  INDIANA 

Saptember  23,  1907,  10:30—11:30  a.  m. 

Sky,  clear. 

Wind,  brisk,  w»jt  breeze. 

Seochi  disk  visible  at  depth  of  13  feet. 


Meters 

"Depth  in  feet 

Temperature 

C.\RBON  Dioxide 

Oxygen 

Free 

Bicarb. 

Carb. 

0 

4 

0 
13 

16.4 
19.7 
23 

26.25 
29.5 
33 

39.4 
46 
47 

68,5 

68,7 

67,3 

64  7 

62 

57 

55.6 

49.5 

0  5 
0,7 
1,5 
2,0 
2,5 
3,8 
5.3 

34,6 

34  6 

5,07 
5,1, 

5 
6 

34,9 

34  9 

4.4 
3,8 

7 

8 

9 

10 

35,2 
35,9 
35.9 
37  6 
40,7 
41.0 

35,2 
35.9 
35  9 
37  6 
40.7 
41.0 

1,8 
0  13 
0  0 
0  0 

12 

7.5 
7.5 

0  0 

14 

0  0 

HJ^ 

47.5 

0,0 

CHEMICAL  CHARACTER  OF  THE  WATER    IN  HOLEM   LAKE,  INDIANA 

September  23,  1907,  1:45—2:30  p.  m. 

Sky,  clear. 

Wind,  strong,  west  breeze. 

Secchi  disk  visible  at  depth  of  13  feet. 


Meters 

Depth  in  feet 

Temperature 

C.\RBOX  Dioxide 

Oxygen 

Free 

Bicarb. 

Carb. 

0 
3 

0 
10 

16,40 
19.68 
23 
26 
27 

69° 

1.2 

35.5 

35.5 

4,7 
4,7 

5 
6 

7 
8 

69 

65.5 

59 

2  0 
6  0 
10,0 

18,7 

35,6 
40,6 
41,0 

58,8 

35,6 
40  6 
41.0 

58.8 

4.75 
0  04 

0  0 
0  0 

m 

53 

0  0 

Lake  Maxhiknckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


221 


CHEMICAL  CHARACTER  OF  THE  WATER  IX  LAKE  MENDOTA,  WI  SCON  SIN 

Station  II,  September  18,  1907,  9-11  a.  in. 
Sky,  cloudy;  rain. 
Wind,  light  breeze  from  the  south. 
Secchi  disk  visible  at  depth  of  6.5  feet. 


Carbon  Dioxide 

Aletprs 

Depth  in  feet 

Temperature 

0.\ygen 

Free 

Bicarb. 

Carb. 

0 

0 

68° 

50 

28.1 

33.1 

6.0 

5 

16  40 
26.25 

67.6 
67 

4.3 
3.7 

5  8 

8 

29.6 

33.3 

5.5 

10 

32.80 
36.00 

66 

11 

2  0 

31  6 

33  6 

4.0 
3.5 

12 

39.36 

65.3 

15 

32.1 

33.6 

13 

45.64 

63.5 

0  75 

33.6 

33.6 

1.8 

14 

49.0 

59 

3.00 

34.9 

34.9 

0.0 

15 

52  00 

57 

3.50 

35.7 

35.7 

0.0 

17 

56.00 

56 

4.30 

35.7 

35.7 

0.0 

20 

65.60 

5  80 

36  4 

36  4 

0.0 
0  0 

21}-^ 

70  5 

7  00 

37  9 

37  9 

22 

72.2 

54 

DEFICIENT  IN  OXYGEN  ONLY  FOR  A  BRIEF  PERIOD  EACH   YEAR 

Investigations  have  shown  that  Lake  Maxinkuckee  is  deficient 
in  oxygen  only  during  a  period  of  perhaps  two  months  in  the  fall. 
The  reason  for  this  deficiency  is  a  very  interesting  one  and  not  dif- 
ficult to  understand.  It  may  be  briefly  stated  as  follows :  Lake 
Maxinkuckee  furnishes  an  environment  exceptionally  favorable  to 
the  rapid  growth  and  development  of  a  multitude  of  species  of 
minute  animal  and  plant  life  which  together  constitute  the  plank- 
ton of  the  lake.  These  animals  and  plants,  entomostracans  and 
other  minute  animals  (zoo-plankton),  and  alg^e  of  many  species 
(phyto-plankton) ,  literally  swarm  in  the  lake,  reproducing  with 
such  marvelous  rapidity  that  they  would  soon  fill  the  lake,  convert- 
ing it  into  a  thick  soup,  were  it  not  for  the  fact  that  millions  upon 
millions  of  individuals  die  every  day,  their  dead  bodies  slowlj^  sink- 
ing to  the  bottom  of  the  lake  where  they  slowly  oxidize  and  dis- 
integrate. This  accumulation  of  dead  plankton  goes  on  during  the 
spring  and  summer ;  oxidation  is  doubtless  most  rapid  in  later  sum- 
mer and  early  fall ;  the  oxyg'en  required  in  the  process  must  neces- 
sarily come  from  the  supply  contained  in  the  water  nearest  at  hand. 
This  drain  upon  the  absorbed  oxygen  of  the  waters  in  the  deeper 
parts  of  the  lake  must  inevitably,  sooner  or  later,  exhaust  the  sup- 
ply, and  this  condition  of  exhausted  or  reduced  oxygen  content 
will  remain  until  the  winds  and  storms  of  late  fall  and  early  winter 
and  temperature  changes  result  in  thoroughly  mixing  the  waters 


222         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  S^irvey 

-^  the  lake  and  carrying  of  oxygen  to  the  deepest  parts.  In 
this  manner  the  entire  lake  will  become  fully  supplied  with  oxygen 
early  in  the  winter  and  so  remain  until  the  next  fall  when  the 
accumulation  on  the  lake  bottom  of  dead  animals  and  plants  which 
have  been  showering  from  the  upper  layers  all  spring  and  summer 
again  exhausts  the  supply  and  the  lower  strata  again  become  de- 
void of  oxygen. 

This  matter  has  been  quite  thoroughly  worked  out  on  several 
lakes  by  Messrs.  Birge  and  Juday  of  the  University  of  Wisconsin, 
and  the  importance  of  the  knowledge  thus  obtained  can  scarcely  be 
overestimated. 

The  important  fact  disclosed  is  that  the  waters  of  some  lakes 
at  certain  periods  in  the  year  are  practically  without  oxygen  below 
certain  depths.  ' 

As  fishes  are  dependent  for  the  oxygen  they  require  upon  the 
absorbed  oxygen  contained  in  the  water  it  is  evident  that  water 
containing  no  absorbed  oxygen  cannot  support  fish  life.  In  order 
that  a  lake  may  be  suitable  for  the  deeper  freshwater  fishes  it  is 
necessary  that  the  v/ater  in  the  depths  shall  contain  an  adequate 
supply  of  absorbed  oxygen  at  all  times.  A  lake  may  have  an 
abundant  supply  of  oxygen  at  all  depths  for  ten  or  eleven  months 
of  the  year,  but  if  the  supply  is  inadequate  for  one  month  or  even 
a  briefer  period,  the  deepwater  fishes  will  perish  unless,  perchance, 
Ihey  are  of  species  that  can  adapt  themselves  to  shallower  depths. 
But  few,  if  any,  of  our  important  freshwater  fishes  possess  that 
ability.  Keeping  that  fact  in  mind  it  is  now  easily  understood  why 
certain  lakes,  otherwise  suitable,  do  not  contain  any  deepvv^ater 
species  such  as  lake  trout,  whitefish  or  lake  herring. 

During  the  past  30  years  the  Federal  Government  and  various 
States  have  spent  thousands  of  dollars  in  making  plants  of  white- 
fish,  lake  herring  and  lake  trout  in  lakes  many  of  which  we  now 
know  to  be  deficient  in  oxygen  during  at  least  a  portion  of  the 
year.  Lake  Maxinkuckee  is  included  in  this  list,  four  large  con- 
signments of  lake  trout  having  been  placed  in  it  in  1890  to  1894. 
We  now  understand  why  nothing  was  ever  seen  of  the  fish  after 
they  were  liberated  in  the  lake. 

In  the  past  millions  upon  millions  of  fish  have  been  planted  in 
the  lakes  and  streams  of  the  United  States  and  usually  without  any 
scientific  investigation  whatever  for  the  purpose  of  determining 
whether  the  waters  were  suitable  for  the  fish  which  it  was  proposed 
to  plant  in  them.  The  result  is  that  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dol- 
lars have  been  spent  and  millions  of  fish  wasted  without  any  results 
of  value  being  obtained. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         223 

No  stream  or  lake  should  be  stocked  with  fish  until  it  has  been 
carefully  studied  by  a  competent  biologist  and  found  to  possess 
the  conditions  or  factors  of  a  favorable  environment  for  the  fish 
which  it  is  proposed  to  introduce.  Fish  culturists  should  adopt 
this  principle  and  adhere  to  it  as  an  invariable  policy.  The  rule- 
of-thumb,  cut-and-try  method  so  uniformly  followed  has  brought 
no  credit  to  fish  culture  in  America. 

ICE 

Introduction 

It  is  not  until  one  has  watched  the  coming  of  the  ice  over  the 
lake  several  times  and  during  several  winters,  that  he  realizes  how 
much  variety  there  can  be  in  that  apparently  simple  process,  and 
how  far  from  correct  it  would  be  to  judge  the  behavior  of  the  ice 
one  winter  from  having  seen  it  during  another. 

The  freezing  over  of  Lost  Lake  is  always  about  the  same.  That 
body  of  water,  being  of  comparatively  small  size  and  shallow  depth, 
readily  freezes  over  the  first  severe  night  after  the  whole  mass  of 
water  has  become  chilled  down  to  near  the  freezing  point,  and 
we  usually  have  a  smooth  clear  sheet  of  ice  spread  over  its  surface 
rather  early  in  the  winter.  This  sheet  being  transparent,  does 
not  greatly  alter  the  appearance  of  the  lake ;  indeed,  on  one  occasion 
we  saw  a  duck  in  the  middle  of  this  lake  on  the  slippery  ice  one 
evening  after  it  had  frozen  over,  it  probably  having  mistaken  the 
clear  ice  for  open  water. 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  with  its  greater  area  and  volume  of  water, 
cools  down  much  more  slowly,  and  usually  has  ice  simply  skirting 
its  edges  by  the  time  Lost  Lake  is  completely  frozen  over.  If  the 
weather  continues  steadily  calm  and  cold,  the  lake  freezes  over 
rather  quickly,  although  it  usually  takes  several  days  even  of  the 
most  favorable  weather  for  the  lake  to  freeze  entirely  over,  as  its 
surface  is  always  more  or  less  disturbed  by  winds,  some  pools  in 
various  places  toward  the  center  usually  persisting  open  for  a  few 
days.  If,  on  the  other  hand,  the  weather  in  early  winter  is  rough 
and  windy,  the  freezing  of  the  lake  is  much  delayed  and  is  a  slow 
and  long  continued  process — full  of  interesting  details,  resembling 
in  many  respects  the  freezing  of  large  lakes,  such  as  Lake  Michi- 
gan. The  winter  of  1900-1901  was  just  such  a  blustery  winter  and 
gave  opportunity  to  study  the  ice  formation  in  great  detail. 

The  ice  first  forms  in  sheltered  calm  places  and  any  object  that 
breaks  the  wind  or  tends  to  calm  the  water  tends  to  the  formation 
of  a  sheet  of  ice.     Thus  ice  appears  early  not  only  along  the  shore 

15—17618 


224         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

in  sheltered  bays,  but  also  around  any  projecting  body  in  the  water 
— a  stake,  or  a  patch  of  bulrushes  or  pondweeds.  Usually  the  for- 
mation of  ice  proceeds  from  day  to  day  in  a  more  or  less  orderly 
manner  from  these  nuclei  to  the  middle  of  the  lake  until  the  whole 
is  frozen,  but  in  the  above-mentioned  winter,  the  ice  sheets  formed 
in  sheltered  places  during  moments  of  calm. 

Our  lirst  regular  observation  of  the  ice  phenomena  at  Lake 
Maxinkuckee  began  in  the  fall  of  1899.  Previous  to  that  time, 
however,  occasional  observations,  made  and  recorded  by  Mr.  S.  S. 
Chadwick  and  by  Mr.  Samuel  B.  Medbourn  of  the  Medbourn  Ice 
Company,  have  been  kindly  communicated  to  us  by  those  gentle- 
men. 

The  remarkable  clearness  and  purity  of  the  water  of  Lake  Max- 
inkuckee and  the  thickness  to  which  the  ice  freezes,  give  a  very 
high  quality  to  the  ice  made  from  it,  and  Lake  Maxinkuckee  ice 
has  always  had  an  enviable  reputation  for  purity  and  enduring 
qualities. 

The  operations  required  in  taking  out  the  vast  quantities  of  ice 
each  winter  keep  a  changing  portion  of  the  lake  on  the  w^est  side 
more  or  less  open  for  brief  intervals  in  different  places,  and  this 
has  its  effect  on  the  plant  and  animal  life  of  the  lake. 

Our  original  plans  contemplated  a  careful  study  of  the  ice  in  all 
its  more  important  relations  to  the  various  species  of  animals  and 
plants  inhabiting  the  lake,  but  lack  of  time  prevented  such  study 
of  many  of  the  phenomena  as  the  importance  of  the  subject  justi- 
fied. 


'I 


The  KT-ounds  of  the  Culver  Military  Academy   sFsirt   the  i;nithern   shore  of   Lake  Maxinkuckee,   covering 
a  ti-act  of  500  acres. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         225 

The  ice  phenomena  of  the  lake,  incUiding  the  formation,  thaw- 
ing, expansion  and  contraction,  forming  of  ice-beaches  and  so  on, 
present  more  or  less  variety  from  year  to  year.  In  the  two  yeai's 
the  phenomena  were  studied  there  was  a  wide  difference  in  them, 
so  that  different  details  confidently  looked  for  from  previous  ex- 
perience were  surprisingly  discounted. 

Every  year,  the  small  body.  Lost  Lake,  freezes  over  much  sooner 
than  the  larger  lake,  and  usually  freezes  over  as  a  smooth  sheet  of 
ice,  in  a  single  night. 

During  the  winter  of  1900-1901,  cold  weather  came  on  rather 
suddenly  and  the  weather  was  rough  and  windy,  so  that,  though 
the  surface  water  became  quite  cold,  the  wind  kept  it  from  freez- 
ing except  in  the  form  of  ice-needles  which  drifted  up  at  first  on 
the  shore  in  high,  conical  snow-white  masses,  which  at  a  distance 
looked  like  frozen  foam,  but  which  revealed  on  closer  examination 
an  entirely  different  structure  from  foam.  The  surface  of  the 
water  near  shore  on  the  windward  side  of  the  lake,  was  covered 
with  slush  ice,  composed  of  long  needle-shaped  crystals,  which,  as 
they  were  jostled  together  by  the  choppy  waves,  made  a  cheerful 
musical  sound,  like  the  rustling  of  dried  hay.  At  other  times  during 
momentary  bits  of  calm,  or  in  protected  bays,  a  thin  sheet  of  clear 
solid  ice  would  be  put  out  from  shore,  soon  to  be  broken  into  bits 
by  the  wind.  These,  constantly  moved  among  each  other  by  the 
waves,  produced  a  musical  continuous  clinking,  like  glasses  struck 
together,  or  at  other  times  larger  masses  in  more  violent  motion 
produced  a  far-heard  rumbling  like  a  heavy  farm  wagon  rattling 
along  a  road.  The  bits  of  ice  blown  up  against  the  shore  gouged 
the  shore  considerably  and  shoved  considerable  sand  before  them 
in  places,  although  finally  the  result  of  such  gouging  was  neither 
conspicuous  nor  permanent. 

As  to  the  final  freezing  over  of  the  lake,  in  1900-1901,  the  first 
stage  from  shore  was  formed  by  the  needle-shaped  crystals  already 
mentioned,  these  forming  concretions  around  centers,  making  cir- 
cular patches  from  about  the  size  of  a  dinner  plate  to  several  feet 
across,  and  these  finally  drifted  together  and  the  becalmed  water 
of  the  interstices  froze,  thus  cementing  the  whole  together  into  a 
solid  mass. 

From  this  time  on,  during  moments  of  comparative  calm, 
stretches  of  rather  smooth  clear  ice  would  form  out  toward  the 
center  of  the  lake,  the  inner  margin  of  which  would  soon  be  more 
or  less  chopped  up  and  broken  by  waves  during  more  windy  pe- 
riods, and  then  would  occur  another  advantage  of  calm  and  cold, 
another  concentric  ring  of  ice  would  be  formed,  another  attack  of 


226         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

storm  and  wind  on  the  weak-edged  with  a  Hne  of  chopped  ice,  so 
that  finally  the  limit  of  each  freezing  period  was  marked  by  a  ring 
of  choppy  ice,  and  the  stages  of  freezing  could  be  counted,  like 
the  growth-rings  of  a  tree  as  seen  on  a  stump.  Apparently  a  sud- 
den coming  on  of  cold  reduces  the  surface  temperature  greatly 
without  allowing  much  chance  for  convection  and  the  water  under 
the  ice  continues  tolerably  warm  all  winter.  The  large  lake  was 
very  slow  in  freezing  over,  and  a  few  holes  remained  open  quite 
late,  being  kept  open  by  winds  and  by  the  flocks  of  ducks  which 
congregated  there  in  great  numbers. 

Ice  on  Lake  Maxinkuckee: — The  earliest  appearance  of  ice  as 
noted  in  our  records  was  on  October  12,  1907,  when  ice  was  ob- 
served on  boards  in  low  places.  This  was  evidently  merely  frozen 
dew.  On  the  22d,  ice  was  seen  on  Green's  marsh  and  on  the  boat 
slip  at  Outlet  Bay.  This  was  observed  again  on  the  23d,  27th,  28th 
and  29th.  In  1906,  on  October  31,  ice  was  seen  in  a  leaky  boat  and 
along  the  south  shore  in  shallow  quiet  water.  These  are  our  only 
October  records. 

For  November,  in  1899,  the  first  ice  was  noted  on  the  12th, 
when  it  remained  all  day  in  favorable  places.  In  November,  1900, 
there  was  a  thin  fringe  along  the  shore  on  the  14th,  and  on  the 
16th  it  was  frozen  out  from  shore  about  4  feet.  On  the  30th  there 
was  a  fringe  along  the  south  shore,  i  to  ^  inch  thick  and  extending 
out  usually  10  to  30  feet.  Just  west  of  Norris  Inlet  two  broad 
points  ran  out  about  200  feet.  From  this  and  subsequent  obser- 
vations it  is  believed  that  it  is  on  that  part  of  the  lake  that  perma- 
nent ice  first  forms.  In  1902,  the  first  freeze  was  on  November 
25.  In  1904,  ice  was  first  noted  on  November  6,  and  on  the  11th 
and  21st  there  was  some  along  the  south  shore  of  Outlet  Bay,  re- 
maining in  the  boat  slip  all  day.  On  the  13th,  14th  and  16th  it 
was  on  the  boat  slip  all  day;  on  the  17th  there  was  a  thin  skirt 
along  the  shore,  and  a  little  appeared  each  morning  thereafter  until 
the  27th  when  there  was  a  good  deal  off  the  ice  houses  and  in  simi- 
lar situations.  On  the  28th  ice  skirted  the  shore  pretty  generally, 
but  not  far  out.  In  1898,  in  December,  the  ice  was  one  inch  thick 
all  over  the  lake  except  at  the  Deep  Hole ;  on  the  8th  and  9th  it  was 
all  over  the  lake  and  3  inches  thick,  and  on  the  14th  it  was  frozen 
solid  and  7.5  inches  thick. 

In  1899,  in  December,  it  was  1.25  inches  thick  on  the  26th  along 
shore.  In  December,  1900,  on  the  10th  ice  extended  out  about  50 
feet  from  the  end  of  the  Chadwick  pier,  and  about  200  feet  out 
on  east  side  of  Long  Point.  At  many  places  there  was  only  a 
narrow  irregular  fringe,  with  occasional  air  holes.     In  places  the 


Lake  Maxmkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         22.1 

ice  was  choppy.  On  the  11th  snow  covered  the  ice  which  was 
grinding  and  tolerably  loud  at  the  south  end.  On  the  12th  there 
was  considerable  ice,  particularly  in  Outlet  Bay  and  off  the  ice- 
houses where  it  extended  out  in  long  sharp  points,  an  unusually 
long  sharp  blade  extended  off  Long  Point  to  the  northeast.  There 
was  a  broad  fringe  along  the  east  side  of  Long  Point  and  large  ice 
islands  around  stakes  in  Outlet  Bay  and  southeast  of  Shady  Point 
cottage.  A  brisk  wind  ground  up  all  the  ice  except  that  near  the 
shore  north  of  Long  Point,  the  breaking  up  being  accompanied  by 
considerable  rattling  and  clinking.  Ice-chips,  small  and  clear,  were 
thrown  up  on  the  north  shore  near  the  railroad  station  with  a  great 
roar.  By  noon  all  the  ice  in  front  of  Shady  Point  cottage  had  dis- 
appeared. Before  breaking  up  the  ice  was  ^  inch  thick  at  the  shore 
and  f  inch  thick  at  end  of  pier  at  Shady  Point. 

The  next  day  a  peculiar  slush  ice  formed  in  front  of  Shady 
Point,  consisting  of  circular  or  oval  discs  of  needle-shaped  crystals 
drifting  together  and  freezing.  On  the  15th  this  ice,  very  rough 
but  weak,  extended  out  more  than  100  feet.  By  the  19th  the  lake 
was  frozen  entirely  over  except  a  considerable  area  in  the  center 
and  extending  well  toward  the  south  end. 

On  the  20th  the  lake  was  frozen  nearly  all  over — only  a  con- 
siderable pond  in  the  middle.  The  ice  all  around  the  lake,  espe- 
cially on  the  west  side,  was  very  rough,  and  would  hold  one  up 
only  60  to  70  feet  out.  There  was  a  great  deal  of  clear  drift  ice, 
the  thickness  of  window  glass,  piled  up  along  the  east  shore.  It 
plowed  and  heaped  up  the  sand  a  good  deal,  making  a  small  ice- 
ridge.  This  was  not  caused  by  expansion  but  by  the  ice  being 
blown  up  against  the  sand. 

On  the  21st  the  ice  was  pretty  solid  out  for  some  distance.  The 
only  open  water  was  in  parallel  north  and  south  strips  near  the 
center.  In  Outlet  Bay  one  could  walk  out  about  400  to  500  feet, 
but  the  ice  was  weak  on  the  east  side  of  Long  Point. 

On  the  22d  there  was  a  good  deal  of  water  on  the  ice,  and  the 
open  spaces  enlarged  appreciably.  On  the  23d  a  strong  wind 
began  breaking  the  ice  and  piling  it  up  on  shore  at  Culver  Bay  on 
the  24th. 

On  the  28th  the  lake  was  again  frozen  irregularly,  with  open 
spaces  toward  the  center.  One  could  walk  out  in  front  of  the 
Gravelpit  about  600  feet.  At  one  place  one  could  walk  within  a 
foot  of  the  open  water,  so  strong  was  the  ice.  On  the  29th  the  ice 
was  moving  and  jamming  up  some  against  the  shore.  At  night  it 
was  somewhat  noisy.  In  1901,  the  first  record  in  December  re- 
garding the  condition  of  the  ice  was  made  on  the  15th,  to  the  effect 


228         Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

that  the  lake  was  frozen  nearly  over.  On  the  16th  the  ice  was  3 
inches  thick ;  on  the  18th,  4.5  inches ;  the  19th,  5.5  to  6  inches,  and 
entirely  frozen  over;  the  20th,  6  inches;  the  21st,  7  inches;  the 
22d,  8.5  inches ;  and  the  23d,  9  inches.  On  the  24th  it  began  melt- 
ing and  by  the  31st  was  only  8  inches  thick.  In  1902,  the  only 
December  records  are  for  the  10th,  the  lake  freezing,  and  the  14th, 
when  the  air  at  6  p.m.  was  20 \  Lost  Lake  frozen  over,  but  Lake 
Maxinkuckee  still  open..  In  1904  there  are  several  December  rec- 
ords. On  the  1st  to  3d,  the  lake  was  rough  and  ice  cakes  were 
forming.  On  the  4th  and  5th  considerable  stretches  along  the 
shore  were  frozen,  but  none  along  the  north  shore.  On  the  6th  it 
was  drifting  up  on  the  east  side  and  on  the  8th  it  softened  and 
melted  some,  though  it  was  strong  enough  to  bear  up  in  Outlet  Bay. 
On  the  9th  it  was  torn  up  by  waves  at  the  south  end.  On  the  10th 
Outlet  Bay  was  firm  enough  to  walk  over,  and  by  the  13th  the  lake 
was  all  frozen  over  except  several  scattered  pools  filled  with  ducks 
and  coots.  On  the  14th,  only  three  or  four  long  open  pools  left, 
and  these  were  filled  mostly  with  coots,  only  a  few  ducks  being  left. 
The  ice  was  clear,  only  one-half  inch  thick  some  distance  from 
shore.  On  the  15th  all  the  lake  except  two  small  pools  was  frozen 
over.  These  pools  were  full  of  coots  which  no  doubt  helped  to  keep 
them  open.  There  were  many  cracks  in  Outlet  Bay.  On  the  16th 
only  one  pool  was  left  open.  The  next  day  the  ice  company  had 
teams  on  the  lake,  scraping  the  snow  off  the  ice,  which  was  5  inches 
thick.  On  the  18th  the  last  open  pool  closed.  The  heavy  snow  on 
the  ice  weighed  it  down  and  forced  a  good  deal  of  water  to  come 
up  through  a  large  crack  that  ran  from  Long  Point  southeast.  On 
the  21st  the  ice  was  cracking  and  pushing  up  the  shore  at  Long 
Point.  On  the  23d  the  ice  was  rotten  and  melted  a  good  deal; 
there  were  many  small  air  holes,  and  on  the  25th  there  were  many 
open  places  north  and  east  of  Long  Point. 

We  have  one  record  for  January,  1893.  On  the  5th  the  lake 
was  frozen  over  9  inches  thick  except  in  a  few  air  holes  and  cracks 
caused  by  expanding  ice.  In  January,  1899,  the  ice  was  8  inches 
thick  on  the  1st.  9  on  the  8th,  10  on  the  29th,  10.5  on  the  30th 
and  11  on  the  31st.  In  January,  1900,  it  was  7  inches  thick  on 
the  1st,  8  on  the  2d,  9  on  the  3d,  9.25  on  the  4th,  7  on  the  12th,  6 
on  the  16th  and  17th,  7^  near  the  ice-houses,  8  at  the  Norris  pier 
and  4.5  in  front  of  Shady  Point  on  the  21st  and  very  rotten,  6  on 
the  30th,  and  8  on  the  31st.  On  the  first  there  were  several  cracks, 
one  running  off  from  Murray's,  one  off  mouth  of  Aubeenaubee 
Creek,  one  from  ice-houses  to  Lakeview  hotel,  one  from  the  ice- 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         229 

houses  to  Long-  Point,  and  one  from  Long  Point  northeast,  this  last 
being  cooped  up  like  the-  roof  on  a  house. 

There  was  a  large  crack  from  the  south  end  of  the  lake  near 
the  Farrar  cottage  northward  to  the  shore  near  the  Academy  along 
which  the  ice  buckled  up  and  then  fell  back  by  overlapping,  a  phe- 
nomenon which  old  residents  had  never  observed  before.  On  the 
22d  the  lake  was  open  in  deep  water  and  on  the  24th  the  ice  was 
breaking  up. 

In  1901,  on  January  1,  it  was  cold  and  the  ice  grew  very  fast; 
on  the  2d  the  lake  was  frozen  over  except  one  pool  near  the  Deep 
Hole.  Teams  were  cleaning  snow  off  the  ice  near  the  ice-houses.  On 
the  3d  the  pool  was  still  open;  this  vv^as  between  Long  Point  and 
the  McOuat  cottage  and  was  only  18  or  20  feet  in  diameter.  The 
ice  was  "cracking"  a  good  deal  all  day  and  shoving  up  on  shore  and 
booming  and  rumbling  at  night.  On  the  6th  there  were  3  or  4 
inches  of  water  on  the  ice  and  again  on  the  8th  when  the  ice  was 
full  of  holes;  on  the  9th  it  was  dry  and  clear;  on  the  10th  it  was 
getting  rotten  and  breaking  into  cakes  and  by  the  12th  it  was 
unsafe,  but  was  firmer  on  the  13th ;  rotted  again  on  the  14th,  but  on 
the  15th  again  became  firm  and  showed  beautiful  mosaics.  It  sang 
much  and  loudly  nearly  all  morning,  but  rotted  in  the  afternoon. 
On  the  18th  it  was  4!^  inches  thick,  solid  and  singing  much.  On 
the  19th  it  was  7.5  inches  thick  at  the  ice-houses.  There  was 
much  noise,  a  sort  of  groaning,  at  night,  and  many  new  cracks  were 
noted  the  next  morning.  On  the  21st  the  ice  was  very  rotten,  and 
at  night  a  good  deal  of  noise,  ringing  sharp  cracks  as  if  the  ice 
were  giving  and  falling.  On  the  23d  it  melted  a  good  deal  on  top, 
and  was  about  5  inches  thick.  On  the  27th  the  big  hole  was  still 
open ;  on  the  28th  it  was  5.5  to  7  inches  thick  on  the  east  side,  but 
v^eak.  On  the  29th,  7.75  to  8  inches  thick  and  covered  with  water 
in  some  places. 

The  January  record  for  1902  is  brief.  The  ice  was  8.5  inches 
thick  on  the  1st,  9  on  the  3d,  10  on  the  6th,  11.5  on  the  16th,  12  on 
the  17th  and  18th,  12.5  on  the  20th,  13  on  the  21st,  14  on  the  27th 
and  28th,  and  15  on  the  31st.  The  lake  was  very  low.  On  the 
27th  the  ice  was  shoving  up  some  on  the  north  and  east  shores  but 
not  much  on  the  west  side. 

In  January,  1903,  the  ice  was  5  inches  thick  on  the  7th,  10  on 
the  12th,  12  on  the  19th,  and  13  on  the  23d.  The  ice  company 
began  to  put  up  ice  on  the  13th. 

In  January,  1905,  the  records  are  few.  On  the  first,  the  ice 
was  rotten  and  rapidly  disappearing,  and  there  was  a  large  hole 


230         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physiccd  and  Biological  Survey 

near  the  center  of  the  lake.  On  the  2d,  it  was  nearly  all  gone  east 
of  Long  Point  and  south  to  Murray's,  but  Outlet  Bay  was  still  cov- 
ered. On  the  4th  the  lake  was  again  pretty  well  frozen  over,  it 
having  grown  cold  on  the  2d  and  3d. 

In  January,  1906,  the  lake  was  not  frozen  over  on  the  first. 
Later  it  froze  over  but  ice  was  all  gone  by  the  22d,  following  a 
week  of  rain. 

Our  first  February  records  are  for  1899,  when  the  ice  was  11.5 
inches  thick  on  the  1st,  12  on  the  2d  to  7th,  13  on  the  8th,  16  on 
the  10th,  18  on  the  13th,  and  15  on  the  27th.  The  next  are  for 
1901.  On  the  1st  the  ice  was  groaning  some;  on  the  4th  and  5th 
it  was  much  sunken  by  8.5  inches  of  snow  on  it ;  on  the  8th  it  was 
groaning  again ;  on  the  9th  it  was  still  sagging  and  covered  with 
water  in  many  places ;  on  the  20th  it  was  somewhat  noisy  and  much 
flooded  in  the  middle ;  covered  with  slush  on  the  23d  and  still  sink- 
ing on  the  24th ;  on  the  25th  much  slush  and  ice  groaning  a  good 
deal,  continuing  for  the  next  two  days.  There  was  much  noise 
again  on  the  28th,  continuing  all  day. 

In  1902,  on  February  4th  the  ice  M^as  about  18  inches  thick; 
17  inches  on  the  6th  and  18  on  the  21st.  On  the  25th  the  ice  began 
to  get  dark  where  the  snow  had  blown  off,  and  in  some  places  slush 
snow  covered  it. 

In  1903,  the  ice  was  8  to  10  inches  thick  on  February  15,  but  it 
had  been  about  14  inches  thick. 

In  1906,  on  February  14,  the  lake  was  frozen  over,  the  ice  4  to 
6  inches  thick,  and  the  ice  cutting  beginning. 

Our  March  I'ecords  begin  with  1899,  when  the  ice  was  10  inches 
thick  on  the  11th.  On  the  12th  there  was  a  high  west  wind  driving 
the  ice  out  from  the  west  shore  and  piling  it  up  10  feet  high  on 
the  east  side.  On  the  22d  the  ice  was  rotten;  by  the  25th  it  had 
become  so  honeycombed  that  it  practically  all  went  off  the  lake, 
piling  up  high  on  shore  in  various  places  ;^  on  Long  Point  it  was 
about  10  feet  high,  but  did  no  damage. 

In  1900,  on  March  1.  the  ice  was  12  inches  thick  and  16  inches 
on  the  19th.  On  the  22d  it  w^as  open  near  the  center  of  the  lake. 
On  the  25th  the  ice  began  to  break  up,  drifting  to  west  and  north- 
west shores,  and  by  6  p.  m.  it  was  all  gone. 

In  1901,  on  March  3,  the  ice  was  free  from  snow  and  there  was 
some  water  on  the  surface.  On  the  4th  the  air  holes  that  were 
present  on  the  3d  froze  up.  On  the  6th  there  was  a  long  crack 
along  the  west  shore  and  on  the  7th  the  ice  was  heaving  and  push- 
ing on  the  shore  on  the  east  side.  On  the  8th  and  9th  it  was 
quite  soft  and  flooded;  on  the  11th  very  rotten  around  the  edges. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         231 

tightening  up  again  at  night,  and  alternating  weak  and  firm  until 
the  25th  when  it  all  disappeared,  simply  breaking  up  and  melting 
without  piling  on  shore. 

In  1902,  the  only  records  for  March  are:  On  the  night  of  the 
12th  the  ice  moved  southeast  and  piled  up  10  feet  high  on  the  north- 
west side  of  Long  Point,  and  about  as  high  on  the  east  shore  at  the 
Edwards  cottage.  All  the  west  side  was  open  on  the  13th.  On  the 
13th  the  ice  left  the  lake  with  a  southeast  wind  which  piled  it  on 
shore  at  the  depot  grounds  and  east  to  the  Palmer  House.  On 
the  18th  some  ice  had  frozen  and  piled  up  some  on  shore. 

In  1903,  in  March,  the  13th  was  the  first  warm,  calm  day  of 
spring,  and  the  ice  went  off  very  fast ;  all  gone  from  Outlet  Bay  by 
6  p.  m.,  and  all  gone  from  shore  from  there  to  depot.  The  next 
day  the  wind  shifted  to  the  south  and  piled  the  ice  6  feet  high  at  the 
tip  of  Long  Point.  On  the  15th  the  wind  shifted  to  the  northeast 
and  drove  the  ice  into  Outlet  Bay  and  along  the  west  shore,  but 
doing  no  harm.  That  portion  of  the  lake  north  of  a  line  from  the 
tip  of  Long  Point  to  the  Edwards  cottage  and  east  of  a  line  from 
the  tip  of  Long  Point  to  the  Assembly  grounds  was  free  of  ice. 
Then  the  wind  shifted  again  to  the  south  and  drove  all  the  ice  to  the 
north  end  of  the  lake.  By  6  p.  m.  the  ice  was  all  gone.  As  the  ice 
was  very  thin  no  harm  was  done.  Air  at  3  p.  m.  70°.  On  March 
29  there  was  some  ice  again. 

In  1905,  in  March,  on  the  25th,  ice  covered  about  three-fourths 
of  the  lake.  The  surface  was  very  much  decayed  and  broken.  It 
went  off  rapidly  all  day  and  by  the  evening  of  the  26th  there  was 
only  a  little  left  in  Culver  Bay. 

In  1907,  the  ice  left  the  lake  on  March  17.  Several  days  of 
warm  rain  had  rotted  it  thoroughly  and  a  strong  southwest  wind 
on  the  16th  set  it  in  motion,  broke  it  up,  and  drove  it  toward  the 
northeast  part  of  the  lake,  where  it  melted. 

In  1908,  the  ice  left  the  lake  March  13,  the  day  being  very  warm 
and  the  frogs  singing. 

In  1910,  on  March  1,  it  turned  warm,  and  there  was  no  snow 
or  rain  thereafter.  On  March  22  the  ice  left  the  lake.  It  was 
20  inches  thick  and  just  rotted  out.  It  did  not  drift  much  and  no 
harm  was  done.  It  opened  as  usual  on  the  west  side  from  the 
Outlet  to  the  depot.     Air  about  60°. 

There  are  only  a  few  ice  records  for  April,  The  senior  author 
spent  April  6  and  7,  1885,  at  the  lake,  and  recorded  the  fact  that 
the  ice  was  still  on  the  lake,  with  a  narrow  strip  open  around  the 
edges,  especially  along  the  south  shore  and  at  the  inlet  mouths. 

In  1900,  on  April  1,  the  ice  moved  north ;  on  the  3d  it  moved 


232         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

southeast  and  piled  high  on  shore ;  on  the  5th  it  moved  south ;  and 
it  was  all  gone  by  the  6th.  The  7th  was  the  first  pleasant  day 
of  the  season,  although  it  snowed  some ;  it  had  been  cold,  with  an 
east  wind  for  a  week. 

In  1901,  on  April  1,  there  was  some  old  ice  and  new  ice  had 
formed  on  the  pools  the  previous  night.  On  the  4th  overflow  water 
was  frozen,  and  there  was  ice  on  the  pools  on  the  9th.  Even  on 
the  19th  and  20th  there  w^as  ice  on  the  pools. 

In  1913,  the  ground  was  frozen  on  April  23,  and  on  May  2  the 
ground  and  pools  were  frozen. 

Ice  on  Lost  Lake: — Considerable  attention  was  paid  to  ice  con- 
ditions on  the  small  lake  and  the  results  are  here  given,  in  the 
thought  that  comparisons  between  the  two  lakes  may  prove  in- 
structive. 

Ice  was  observed  on  Lost  Lake  in  each  month  from  October  to 
April,  both  inclusive.  In  October,  1904,  a  little  ice  was  noted  on 
the  23d  and  28th. 

In  November,  1899,  a  narrow  fringe  was  seen  about  the  edge 
of  the  lake.  In  1900,  ice  froze  about  4  to  7  feet  out  from  shore 
just  above  the  Bardsley  cottage  on  the  14th,  and  on  the  16th  the 
lake  was  frozen  over  but  not  strong  enough  to  bear  one  up.  In 
front  of  the  Bardsley  cottage  it  was  ^  to  2^  inches  thick,  but  was 
thinner  elsewhere.  On  the  night  of  the  17th  the  ice  went  off,  but 
the  lake  was  nearly  frozen  over  again  by  the  27th.  In  November, 
1904,  there  was  a  narrow  fringe  of  ice  around  the  lake,  most  of 
which  had  disappeared  by  the  13th.  On  the  28th  the  lake  was  more 
than  half  frozen  over  with  ice  strong  enough  to  permit  one  to  walk 
out  a  short  distance.  On  November  14,  1906,  the  lake  was  frozen 
nearly  over. 

In  December,  1899,  Lost  Lake  was  frozen  over  on  December  6, 
but  the  ice  left  the  lake  on  the  11th  after  24  hours  of  rain.  It 
froze  again  on  the  15th.  In  1900,  it  was  frozen  entirely  over  on 
the  10th  when  the  ice  was  1  inch  thick  and  would  bear  up  some  dis- 
tance out.  Near  shore  the  ice  was  choppy  in  places.  On  the  11th 
it  was  strong  enough  for  skating.  On  the  12th  it  was  2  13  16 
inches  thick  30  feet  from  shore,  and  did  not  crack  when  walked 
across.  The  next  day  it  was  3  inches  thick,  and  loud  noises  were 
caused  by  the  expansion  in  the  forenoon.  On  the  17th  the  ice  was 
about  51  inches  thick  and  beautifully  stratified.  On  the  19th  thin 
ice  had  frozen  on  top  of  the  other,  from  flooded  water.  On  the 
23d  the  wind  tore  up  the  ice  at  the  south  end.  There  were  many 
large  bubbles  under  the  ice  nearly  everywhere,  evidently  blown 
under  by  the  wind.     The  ice  was  dry  on  top  and  apparently  solid. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         233 

On  the  28th  the  ice  was  frozen  irregulai'ly,  with  numerous  air 
holes. 

In  December,  1901,  the  lake  was  frozen  over  on  the  11th,  and 
solid  on  the  19th,  the  ice  being  6  inches  thick.  In  December,  1902, 
Lost  Lake  was  frozen  entirely  over  on  the  14th. 

In  December,  1904,  Lost  Lake  was  frozen  over  on  the  first,  the 
ice  being  quite  opaque.  On  the  2d  it  was  1^  inches  thick  and  would 
bear  up,  but  cracked  some  on  the  west  side  where  it  was  not  so 
thick.  On  the  3d  the  Outlet  was  partly  frozen  below  the  railroad 
bridge.  On  the  9th  the  stream  below  the  lake  was  pretty  well 
open. 

In  January,  1901,  Lost  Lake  was  solid  on  the  first  and  2d;  on 
the  3d  the  ice  was  10  inches  thick  and  contained  9  planes  of  bub- 
bles, one  of  which,  5.5  from  the  bottom,  seemed  to  divide  the  whit- 
ish upper  ice  from  the  lower  clearer  layer.  On  the  10th  the  ice 
was  8  inches  thick,  and  men  were  cutting  it;  on  the  18th  it  was 
9  inches  and  showed  a  hexagonal  structure.  On  the  19th  Lost  Lake 
was  open  at  the  north  end  and  remained  so  for  several  days.  On 
the  20th  all  the  stream  below  the  lake  was  open. 

We  have  no  February  records. 

In  March,  1901,  Lost  Lake  was  all  open  on  the  25th,  but  it  was 
almost  frozen  over  again  by  the  29th. 

In  March,  1902,  the  lake  M-as  nearly  open  on  the  13th  but  frozen 
over  again  on  the  18th. 

THICKNESS  OF  ICE  ON  LAKE  MAXINKUCKEE  AT  VARIOUS   DATES 


Date 


Remarks 


Jan. 


1893 
5 

1898 
Dec.    8 
9 
14 

1899 

Jan.      1 

29 

30 

31 

Feb.     1 

2 

7 


10 
13 
27 
Mar.  11 
12 
22 


Entirely  covering  lake  except  a  lew  air  holes  and  cracks. 

Over  entire  lake  except  the  Deep  Hole. 
Over  entire  lake. 


Iliiih  west  w  ind  drove  ice  out  from  west  shore  and  piled  it  up  10  feet  high  on 
east  side.     Ice  dangerous. 


234         Lake  Maxiyikuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


THICKNESS  OF  ICE  UN  LAKE  MAXINKUCKEE  AT  VARIOUS   DATES— Continued 


Date 


Jan. 


Feb. 


1,93 
Mar.  25 

Dec.     6 
II 

15 
26 
27 
28 
29 
30 
31 

1900 

1 

2 

3 

4 

10 

12 

16 

17 

21 

22 

24 

30 

31 

I 

2 

3 
15 
16 
17 
18 
19 

1 
19 

22   . 
April    1 
.3 

5 

6 
Nov.  14 

16 
18 
27 
30 
Dec.  10 
10 
12 

13 
14 
17 

17 
19 

20 
21 
22 


Mar. 


Thickness  in 
inches 


1.25 

2 

3 

4.5 

5.5 
6 


9 
9.25 


♦     7 
6 


5.8 
4.5 


9 
11 
11 

6 

6 

7 

8 

8. 
12 
16 


Vi  to  2li 


2  13-16 


Remarks 


Ice  left  lake,  it  ha\'ing  become  honeycombed,  piling  up  in  various  places  10 

feet  high  on  Long  Point,  but  doing  no  damage. 
Little  Maxinkuckee  frozen  over. 
Ice  went  off  of  Litt'?  Ma.rinkuckee. 
Little  Maxinkuckee  frozen  over  again. 
On  Little  Maxinkuckee  near  shore. 


Deep  water  still  open. 


4  inches  on  Lake  Maxinkuckee  and  8  inches  on  Little  Maxinkuckee. 

Very  rotten. 

Ice  rotten. 

Ice  open  in  deep  water. 

Ice  open  in  deep  water. 

Ice  breaking  up. 


Ice  open  near  the  Split  Rock. 

Ice  moving  north. 

Ice  moves  southeast  and  piles  up  high  on  shore. 

Ice  all  gone  except  where  piled  up  on  south  shore. 

Ice  all  gone. 

Coldest  day  of  season,  so  far,  16°.  Ice  1.5  in  shallow  water;  Little  Maxin- 
kuckee frozen  4  to  7  feet  from  shore. 

Little  Maxinkuckee  frozen  over;  frozen  out  on  Maxinkuckee  4  feet  from  shore. 

Ice  went  off  Little  Maxinkuckee. 

Little  Maxinkuckee  again  frozen  over. 

Thin  ice  started  around  shore. 

Little  Maxinkuckee  frozen  entirely  over,  1  inch  thick. 

Ice  extending  out  200  feet  from  shore  on  Maxinkuckee. 

Most  of  the  ice  broken  up.  Ice  on  Little  Maxinkuckee  strong  enough  to  bear 
one. 

On  Little  Maxinkuckee. 

Outlet  nearly  frozen  over. 

A  broad  fringe  of  ice  around  shore. 

About  '4  inch  of  water  on  top  of  ice  on  Little  Maxinkuckee. 

Lake  frozen  over  except  a  large  area  in  center  and  extending  toward  south 
end.     Outlet  Bay  all  frozen  over. 

Open  area  still  present. 

Lake  frozen  nearly  all  over. 

Water  covering  ice,  and  open  area  increasing. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Siirvey         235 


THICKNESS  OF  ICE  ON  LAKE  MAXINKUCKEE  AT   VARIOUS  DATES-Continued 


Date 

Thickness  in 
inches 

Remarks 

Dec 

1900 
23 
28 
1901 

1 
1902 
27 

4 
26 
31 
1903 

7 

12 
13 
19 
23 
1904 
28 
1905 
20 

1909 
17 

1911 

18 

1914 
15 

Much  of  tlie  ice  disappeared. 
Ice  cracking. 

Ice  extending  over  lake  very  fast. 

Ice  company  has  filled  all  its  houses. 

Jan. 

Jan. 
Feb. 
Dec 

14 

18 

Patrolman  made  first  trip  over  ice 
Ice-men  began  to  put  up  ice. 

Ice  heaved  up  some. 

Best  ice  ever  harvested;  has  been  good  in  all  places,  and  10  to  18  to  24  inches 

thick. 

Snow  12  inches  deep;  ice  all  over  trees  and  bushes,  many  trees  broken  down. 
Thickest  ice  this  winter  about  9  inches  and  the  ice-men  got  about  half  a 
crop;  lake  frozen  over  four  different  times. 

Lake  open  from  Long  Point  to  Palmer  House,  wind  in  the  north,  ice  very 
thin  and  rotten.     Air  38°.       Rained  all  night  and  wind  shifted  from  south- 
east to  north  at  6  p.  m. 

Air  at  zero  in  morning. 

Jan. 

5 
10 

Dec 

12 
13 

■  ;  \ 

Feb. 
Feb. 

Nov 

24 

2J^ 

Feb. 

10 

CONDITIONS  OF  ICE  ON  LAKE  MAXINKUCKEE 


Year 

When  first 
noted 

When  lake 
practically 
froze  over. 

Thickness 

Maxi.mum  Thickness 

When  went 
ofT. 

Date 

Thickness 

1883 

22 

9 

7.5 
18 
16 

1893 

January          5 
December      9 

9 
3 

January- 
December 
February 
March 

5 
14 
13 
19 

1898 

1899 

November  12 
November   14 

November  25 

March  25 

1900 

Decern  l:)er    20 

March  25 

1901 

3 

March  25 

1902 

February 

4 

18 

March  15 

1903 

March  15 

1904 

November    6 

1905 

February 

20 

24 

March  26 

1906 

October        31 
October        12 

1907 

March  I" 

1908 

March  13 

1909 

March    3 

1910 

20 

March  22 

1911 

March  12 

1912 

April      6 

1913 

13 
14 

March  14 

1914 

February 

23 

March  27 

236         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

BIOLOGY 

Introduction 

More  attention  was  naturally  given  to  the  biology  of  the  lake 
than  to  the  physical  features.  The  scope  of  the  investigations  as 
originally  planned  contemplated  as  careful  study  of  the  vertebrate 
animals  of  the  lake  as  time  and  facilities  at  command  would  per- 
mit. It  soon  became  evident  however,  that  no  very  satisfactory 
progress  could  be  made  with  those  groups  without  consideration 
of  the  plants  and  the  various  groups  of  invertebrate  animals  of 
the  lake.  It  also  became  increasingly  evident  as  the  work  pro- 
gressed that  no  hard  and  fast  line  could  be  drawn  between  the 
species  directly  related  to  the  lake  and  those  only  indirectly  so 
related.  This  fact  was  strongly  impressed  upon  us  when  we  came 
10  study  the  habits  of  the  mammals,  reptiles,  batrachians,  and  birds 
of  the  lake  and  vicinity,  and  the  distribution  of  the  trees  and 
shrubs  and  other  shore  vegetation  in  their  relation  to  the  various 
species  of  insects  upon  which  fishes  and  other  aquatic  animals 
feed.  Many  illustrations  could  be  given  of  the  ways  in  which 
various  species  of  purely  land  animals  and  plants  are  related  eco- 
logically to  purely  aquatic  species  inhabiting  the  lake.  A  few 
examples  may  be  mentioned.  One  might  think  that  the  common 
house  mouse  and  field  mouse  bear  no  relation  to  the  life  of  the  lake ; 
but  we  have  found  both  in  the  stomachs  of  large-mouth  black  bass. 
We  have  found  the  raccoon  feeding  on  the  mussels  of  the  lake.  The 
larvae  of  certain  species  of  dipterous  insects  of  the  genus 
Chironomus,  are  exceedingly  abundant  in  the  lake  and  constitute 
a  very  important  part  of  the  food  of  the  fishes,  also  of  several 
species  of  birds  such  as  the  various  snipes,  plovoi's,  phalaropes,  and 
even  of  rusty  blackbirds,  red-winged  blackbirds,  and  crow  black- 
birds. And  in  September  and  October,  when  these  larvae  com- 
plete their  metamorphoses  and  the  air  and  the  trees  along  the 
shore  about  the  lake  become  filled  in  the  evening  and  on  quiet  days 
with  vast  swarms  of  the  large  mosquito-like  insects,  making  the 
evening  vocal  with  the  constant  humming  of  the  millions  on  the 
wing,  they  then  are  fed  upon  by  various  species  of  birds,  among 
which  have  been  observed  nighthawks,  swallows,  yellow-billed 
cuckoos,  yellow-rumped  warblers,  and  even  red-headed  woodpeck- 
ers and  song  sparrows.  But  the  story  does  not  end  here.  After 
the  nuptial  flight  has  been  made,  these  insects,  myriads  upon 
myriads  in  number,  and  all  about  the  lake,  return  to  the  surface 
of  the  water  upon  which  they  lay  their  eggs,  and  there  fall  a  prey 
to  various  species  of  fishes  from  the  tiny  top  minnow  to  the  blue- 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         237 

gill,  yellow  perch,  and  lai'ge-mouth  black  bass.  And  the  eggs  laid 
by  those  which  succeed  in  escaping  all  their  enemies  furnish  enor- 
mous quantities  of  food  to  the  multitude  of  little  fishes  hatched 
during  the  previous  summer,  while  the  eggs  that  escape,  hatch 
sooner  or  later,  and  in  their  new  form  as  Chironomus  larvse,  sup- 
ply even  greater  quantities  of  delicious  food  to  the  fishes  of  a  some- 
what larger  growth,  and  also  to  the  turtles  and  young  water-dogs 
in  the  water  and  to  various  species  of  birds  which  feed  along  the 
beach.  But  even  this  is  not  all  the  story.  The  millions  of 
Chironomi,  after  having  accomplished  their  only  purpose  in  life  by 
laying  billions  upon  billions" of  eggs,  die,  and  their  dead  bodies, 
falling  upon  the  surface  of  the  lake  or  upon  the  land,  are  eaten  by 
the  fishes,  birds,  and  small  insectivores. 

One  more  illustration  must  suffice.  When  we  came  to  study 
the  shore  vegetation  we  were  struck  by  the  number  of  trees,  shrubs 
and  other  plants  growing  on  the  immediate  lake  shore,  so  close  to 
the  lake  that  their  branches  overhang  the  water  more  or  less.  The 
total  number  of  species  was  not  fewer  than  50.  Insects  and  in- 
sect eggs  and  larvae  were  observed  on  a  great  many  of  these  trees, 
shrubs  and  herbaceous  plants ;  doubtless  every  species  is  fed  upon 
or  is  the  home  of  one  or  more  species  of  insects.  These  insects 
fall  upon  or  are  blown  out  upon  the  water  now  and  then.  Many 
of  them  lay  their  eggs  upon  the  leaves  and  these  may  fall  off  and 
into  the  water,  carrying  the  eggs  with  them. 

The  eggs  that  hatch  produce  caterpillars  and  other  larvae 
which  feed  upon  the  leaves  of  the  plant,  and  many,  while  feeding, 
drop  into  the  water  where,  along  with  the  adults  and  eggs  that  had 
fallen  in,  they  become  a  prey  of  the  fishes.  This  is  one  reason 
why  many  fishes  come  in  near  shore  in  the  evening  and  at  night; 
they  are  attracted  there  by  the  abundant  and  varied  fish-food  con- 
tributed to  the  lake  by  the  plants  along  the  shore. 

With  interesting  and  important  inter-relations  such  as  these 
constantly  forcing  themselves  upon  our  attention,  the  evidently 
proper  thing  to  do  was  to  make  our  study  of  the  lake  sufiiciently 
comprehensive  to  include  all  such  problems  as  fully  as  possible; 
and  this  we  have  done.  We  therefore  endeavored  to  make  such 
observations  as  time  would  permit,  not  only  of  the  physical  features 
of  the  lake  and  immediately  surrounding  country,  but  also  of  most 
of  the  groups  of  animals  and  plants  in  and  about  the  lake  of  which 
any  of  us  possessed  any  knowledge.  Unfortunately,  and  very 
naturally,  our  acquaintance  with  some  groups  was  very  limited 
indeed,  and  concerning  those  v/e  are  able  to  contribute  little  or 
nothing. 


238         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Surveij 

While  considerable  time  has  been  devoted  to  the  study  of  this 
lake,  and  while  the  amount  of  knowledge  and  information  now  pos- 
sessed and  made  available  regarding  it  is  probably  greater  than 
that  possessed  regarding  any  other  lake  in  the  world,  there  are 
many  gaps  in  the  record,  many  of  them  large  and  important.  No 
one  can  realize  this  more  fully  or  regret  it  more  keenly  than  the 
writers.  Nor  can  any  one  realize  more  fully  than  they  the  in- 
completeness and  inadequacy  of  many  of  the  observations,  and  how 
desirable  it  would  be  to  have  them  repeatedly  verified. 

A  word  of  explanation  regarding  the  arrangement  of  subjects 
in  the  following  pages  is  perhaps  necessary.  As  the  investigations 
upon  which  this  report  has  been  based  were  made  primarily  in 
the  interest  of  fish-culture,  more  attention  was  necessarily  paid 
to  the  fishes  than  to  any  other  group ;  in  fact,  such  studies  as 
were  made  of  other  animals  and  of  the  plants  were  made  only 
because  it  was  believed  such  investigations  would  contribute  some 
knowledge  of  value  to  the  main  purpose  in  view. 

In  view  of  this  fact  we  thought  it  best  not  to  adhere  too  closely 
to  a  strictly  systematic  zoological  and  botanical  arrangement  of 
the  various  subjects.  We  have  treated  the  fishes  first,  and  the 
other  groups  have  been  presented  in  the  order  which  we  believe 
best  for  the  objects  in  view. 

The  various  species  considered  have  been  presented  from  the 
natural  history  point  of  view  rather  than  from  that  of  the  sys- 
tematist.  We  have  even  emphasized  this  thought  by  giving  un- 
usual prominence  to  the  common  or  vernacular  names  by  making 
the  scientific  or  binomial  names  subordinate  to  them,  and  by 
making  the  text  as  non-technical  as  seemed  necessary.  It  is  hoped 
and  believed  this  treatment  will  contribute  materially  to  the  use 
and  value  of  the  publication. 

THE  FISHES 

Introduction 

During  the  investigations  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  very  naturally 
more  attention  was  given  to  the  fishes  than  to  anything  else.  It 
was  desired  to  know  not  only  what  species  are  represented  in  the 
local  fauna  but  an  effort  was  made  to  study  each  species  from 
many  points  of  view.  Observations  were  therefore  made  regard- 
ing the  abundance,  distribution,  breeding  and  feeding  habits,  pe- 
riod and  rate  of  growth,  age,  and  size  at  different  ages,  parasites, 
diseases,  enemies,  relation  to  other  species,  food  value,  commercial 
importance,  importance  to  the  angler,  seasons  and  methods  of  cap- 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         239 

ture  and  places  where  found,  and  many  other  problems  the  study 
of  which  was  necessary  to  a  full  understanding  of  the  life  history 
of  the  species.  Field  observations  and  collecting  were  carried  on 
in  all  available  and  possible  places,  in  all  sorts  of  weather,  at  all 
times  of  day  and  night,  and  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  chiefly,  how- 
ever, in  the  summer  and  fall  months. 

Methods  of  Collecting 

Seining: — Seine  collecting  was,  of  course,  the  method  most  fre- 
quently used  and  the  one  yielding  the  largest  collections  and  re- 
sults. The  seines  used  were  Baird  collecting  seines.  When  the 
physical  conditions  permitted  a  45-foot  seine  was  used;  where  the 
character  of  the  bottom  or  any  other  factor  prevented  the  success- 
ful use  of  so  long  a  seine,  a  shorter  one  was  used — sometimes  one 
15  feet  long,  at  other  times  one  25  feet  in  length,  and  occasionally 
seines  20.  35,  and  150  feet  were  used.  Seining  operations  were 
begun  July  5,  1899,  the  initial  point  being  in  front  of  the  Duen- 
weg  cottage  (now  known  as  "Shady  Point"),  which  is  on  the 
lake  shore  just  in  front  of  the  Arling-ton  station.  This  cottage  was 
rented  by  the  Fish  Commission  and  used  as  headquarters  by  the 
field  party  from  July,  1899,  to  July,  1901.      (See  p.  34.) 

From  the  Duenweg  cottage  as  the  starting  point  the  seining  pro- 
ceeded southward  along  the  west  shore,  eastward  across  the  south 
part  of  the  lake,  then  northward  along  the  east  side,  and  on  around 
to  the  place  of  beginning.  Each  succeeding  haul  began  where 
the  preceding  one  ended,  thus  every  yard  of  seinable  water  near 
shore  was  covered.  Each  haul  of  the  seine  was  called  a  station  and 
the  hauls  or  stations  were  numbered  consecutively  beginning  with 
No.  1.  The  following  data  were  recorded  for  each  station :  Num- 
ber of  station,  location,  length  of  seine,  date  (including  hour),  con- 
dition of  sky,  direction  and  strength  of  wind,  temperature  of  air, 
temperature  of  water,  maximum  depth  of  water,  character  of  bot- 
tom, vegetation  as  to  character  and  extent,  species  of  fishes  caught 
and  number  of  each,  species  of  other  animals  caught  (as  turtles, 
batrachians,  crustaceans,  mollusks,  etc.),  and  the  number  of  each. 
Only  a  sufficient  number  of  specimens  of  each  species  were  pre- 
served for  future  study ;  all  others  were  returned  to  the  water  after 
being  counted  and  their  sizes  and  other  readily  observable  char- 
acters determined.  After  some  little  experience  in  measuring  the 
fishes  we  were  able  to  estimate  their  lengths  quite  accurately. 
During  the  first  part  of  July  the  entire  circuit  of  the  lake  was 
made;  and  this  was  repeated  during  the  corresponding  part  of 

10— :  7618 


240         Lake  Maxinktickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Siirvey 

August  and  again  in  September.  The  principal  objects  in  repeat- 
ing the  work  were  to  secure  data  on  rate  of  growth,  change  in  dis- 
tribution, abundance,  habits,  spawning  condition,  food,  etc.  A 
brief  summary  of  the  seining  operations  and  results  follows: 

July  5,  1:45  to  3:18  p.  m.  Stations  1  to  11,  from  Duenweg 
cottage  southward  to  IMurray's;  seine,  45  feet.  Sky  cloudy;  no 
breeze;  air  74°;  water  76"  to  78. 5^  All  these  hauls  were  made 
over  a  sandy  bottom,  thinly  coated  with  marl  in  places,  covered 
more  or  less  with  mussels  (mostly  dead),  dead  Vivipara  con- 
tectoides,  and  two  species  of  live  gastropods  which  fasten  to  rocks 
and  other  objects.  The  bottom  nearly  everywhere  was  covered 
with  a  good  growth  of  Chara,  not  tall  but  enough  to  cause  the 
seine  to  roll  a  good  deal.  There  was  also  a  considerable  growth  of 
algse,  and  except  in  the  first  four  or  five  hauls,  there  was  a  fringe 
of  tall  Scirpus  (S.  americanus  near  shore  and  S.  valklus  further 
out) ,  20  to  40  feet  wide  and  in  water  up  to  18  inches  in  depth. 
Catch :  Log  perch,  many ;  yellow  perch,  69 ;  bluegill,  about  50 ; 
grayback  minnow,  10 ;  rock  bass,  8 ;  straw  bass,  9,  mostly  young ; 
small-mouth  black  bass,  7,  young ;  straw-colored  minnow,  4 ;  pump- 
kinseed,  2 ;  skipjack,  1 ;  and  blunt-nosed  minnow,  1. 

The  majority  of  the  bass  were  young-of-the-year,  each  about 
one  inch  long.  The  sunfish  and  perch  were  also  small,  and  mostly 
one  year  old. 

July  6,  2  :48  to  5  p.  m.  Stations  12  to  29,  from  Murray's  to  15 
yards  west  of  Farrar's  pier;  seine,  45  feet.  Air  76°;  water  77° 
to  79.5°.  Bottom  of  sand  and  fine  gravel  with  thin  coating  of 
marl  in  some  places,  covered  with  a  good  growth  of  Scirpus  to  the 
westward,  but  rare  near  Farrar's.  This  of  course  interfered  with 
hauling  the  seine.  Catch:  Bluegill,  1,227;  small-mouth  black 
bass,  23;  yellow  perch,  30;  log  perch,  many;  skipjack,  27;  blunt- 
nosed  minnow,  11;  grayback  minnow,  2;  pumpkinseed,  2;  Iowa 
darter,  1 ;  straw-colored  minnow,  1.  The  bluegill  was  by  far  the 
most  abundant  species,  the  Scirpus  patches  literally  swarming  with 
them.  They  were  nearly  all  young-of-the-year  or  of  the  preceding- 
year.  Crawfishes,  mussels,  gastropods  and  algje  were  fairly  com- 
mon. 

July  7,  1:40  to  4:03  p.m.  Stations  30  to  52,  from  Farrar's 
pier  eastward  to  the  high  wooded  shore  on  southeast  part  of  lake  on 
Easterday's  place;  45-  and  15-foot  seines  used.  Air  74°;  water 
76°.  Bottom  sandy  with  slight  admixture  of  gravel  to  the  west- 
ward with  more  or  less  mud  or  marl  overgrown  with  Potamogeton, 
Scirpus  and  Chara  in  the  last  eight  or  ten  hauls.  A  considerable 
bed  of  mussels  off  the  McDonald  cottage,  and  many  gastropods. 


Lake  Maxinlaickee,  Phi/sieal  cdkJ  Biological  Survey         241 

Catch:  Yellow  perch,  about  150;  straw  bass,  95;  bluegill, 
about  200;  small-mouth  black  bass,  36;  grayback  minnow,  113; 
skipjack,  13 ;  straw-colored  minnow,  12 ;  log  perch,  9 ;  blunt-nosed 
minnow,  29 ;  Notropis  heterodon,  1 ;  rock  bass,  8 ;  Johnny  darter, 
10;  Iowa  darter,  6;  pumpkinseed,  several;  long-nosed  gar,  6;  creek 
chub,  2. 

July  8,  1 :40  to  3  :00  p.  m.  Stations  53  to  71,  beginning  at  sta- 
tion 11  and  working  north  to  Arlington  station  ;  15-foot  seine.  Air 
about  73° ;  water  76°  to  78°.  Hauls  all  in  shallow  water,  near 
shore,  and  most  productive  where  bottom  was  free  from  Scirpus. 

Catch:  Yellow  perch,  185;  straw  bass,  121;  skipjack  about 
500 ;  grayback  minnow,  209 ;  Johnny  darter,  61 ;  small-mouth  black 
bass,  36;  Notropis  heterodon,  21;  log  perch,  33;  low^a  darter,  13; 
rock  bass,  2 ;  bluegill,  24 ;  straw-colored  minnow,  1 ;  in  the  last 
five  or  six  hauls  the  skipjack  was  quite  abundant,  most  of  the  indi- 
viduals being  young-of-the  year. 

July  10,  1 :05  to  4:05  p.  m.  Stations  72  to  90,  in  southeast  part 
of  lake  at  station  52  and  proceeding  east  and  north  to  Norris's 
pier,  omitting  about  200  yards  at  mouth  of  Norris  Inlet  where  the 
softness  of  the  bottom  made  seining  impossible.  The  bottom  at 
the  first  stations  was  sandy  with  some  slight  growth  of  Potamog- 
eton  in  places.  Nearing  the  Inlet  the  bottom  becomes  more  and 
more  composed  of  decaying  vegetable  matter  and  very  soft,  until 
finally  for  a  few  rods  adjacent  to  the  Norris  Inlet  on  either  side 
it  is  too  soft  for  seining  operations.  Near  the  Norris  Inlet  the 
bottom  was  full  of  deeper  mud  holes  3  to  10  feet  in  diameter. 
Here  also  occur  small  patches  of  lily-pads — mostly  Nymph?ea,  but  a 
few  Castalia.  The  15-foot  seine  was  at  first  used,  then  a  45-foot 
seine  was  utilized.  At  station  82  near  the  little  green  boathouse 
40  gar-pike  {Lepisosteus  osseus)  were  secured.  Depth  G  feet  or 
less;  air  temperature  80° ;  water  temperature  78°  to  82°. 

Catch:  Bluegill,  about  400;  yellow  perch,  269;  grayback  min- 
now, 101 ;  straw  bass,  102 ;  long-nose  gar,  41 ;  blunt-nose  minnow, 
40;  log  perch,  14;  skipjack,  many  young;  pumpkinseed,  14;  small- 
mouth  black  bass,  9 ;  straw-colored  minnow,  23 ;  rock-bass,  5 ;  yel- 
low cat,  1 ;  Johnny  darter,  9;  brook  stickleback,  1 ;  mad  torn,  1. 

Young  skipjacks  were  taken  in  great  numbers  at  stations  76, 
77  and  78,  but  only  a  few  in  any  other  hauls.  Yellow  peixh  were 
usually  abundant  at  every  station,  especially  at  No.  80.  Bluegills 
were  common  in  nearly  every  haul,  especially  at  No.  79. 

There  were  added  to  the  list  in  this  series  of  hauls  three  species 
which  had  not  been  previously  taken,  namely,  the  yellow  cat  (sta- 
tion 77)  ;  mad  torn  (station  81),  and  the  stickleback  (station  89). 


242         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

July  11,  2:00  to  4:45  p.m.  Stations  91  to  110.  Air  84°; 
water  81°  to  84°;  sky  cloudy,  showery  late  in  evening;  depth  3 
feet  and  under;  45-foot  seine.  Began  at  Norris's  pier  and  pro- 
ceeded up  the  east  side  to  the  McOuat  cottage.  For  most  of  this 
distance  the  bottom  is  of  sand  and  fine  gravel,  usually  covered  with 
a  matting  of  Chara.  In  many  places,  stones,  old  tin  cans,  broken 
bottles  and  the  like  made  seining  difficult. 

Catch:  Bluegill,  C25 ;  log  perch,  190;  skipjack,  very  many; 
small-mouth  bass,  40 ;  stiaw  bass,  17 ;  yellow  perch,  101 ;  rock  bass, 
45 ;  grayback  minnow,  17 ;  pumpkinseed,  4 ;  yellow  cat,  1 ;  silver- 
side,  1 ;  and  blunt-nose  minnow,  1. 

The  bluegill  was  by  far  the  most  abundant  fish  taken,  419  being 
in  haul  109.  Young  skipjacks  were  very  common,  especially  in 
hauls,  93,  104  and  106.  The  log  perch  was  remarkably  abundant, 
58,  51,  40  and  64  being  taken  in  hauls  101,  105,  107  and  110,  re- 
spectively. 

In  the  last  few  hauls  the  water  appeared  roily,  caused  chiefly 
by  the  presence  of  much  plankton,  crustaceans  and  algae. 

July  12,  2:15  to  4:10  p.m.  Stations  111  to  120.  Air  87°; 
water  79°  to  89°.  These  stations  were  in  Norris  Inlet.  Begin- 
ning at  the  bridge  where  the  road  crosses,  stations  111  to  117  fol- 
lowed up  the  creek  to  the  heavy  woods  about  its  head,  while  sta- 
tions 118  to  120  were  from  the  bridge  down  stream  until  the  creek 
became  lost  in  boggy  ground.     Seine,  15-foot. 

Catch :  Straw  bass,  79  ;  bluegill,  22  ;  mud  minnow,  17  ;  grass 
pike,  35  ;  creek  chub,  8 ;  pumpkinseed,  4 ;  and  dog-fish,  3.  The  straw 
bass  were  all  young,  as  were  also  most  of  the  grass  pike.  The 
bottom  was  usually  black  soil,  sand  or  decaying  peaty  matter.  In 
shallow  stagnant  places  the  water  was  very  warm. 

July  13,  1:45  to  2:55  p.m.  Stations  121  to  131.  Air  86°; 
water  76°  to  80° ;  depth  5  feet  and  under.  Same  ground  seined 
over  July  5,  stations  1  to  11,  but  under  different  atmospheric  con- 
ditions. A  storm  came  from  the  northwest  and  swept  across  the 
north  end  of  the  lake  while  the  work  was  in  progress.  Some  rain 
fell  and  strong  waves  came  in  from  the  north. 

Catch :  Bluegill,  331 ;  yellow  perch,  about  325 ;  rock  bass,  52 ; 
grayback  minnow,  35 ;  log  perch,  28 ;  small-mouth  bass,  13 ;  straw 
bass,  7 ;  pumpkinseed,  6 :  Johnny  darter,  3 ;  hog  sucker,  1 ;  yellow 
cat,  1 ;  blunt-nose  minnow,  3.  In  haul  129,  which  was  through  a 
thick  patch  of  Scirpus  ameyncanus,  young  rock  bass  were  very 
abundant,  28  being  caught.  Young  yellow  perch  and  bluegills  also 
were  abundant. 

July  17,  1:30  to  3:40  p.m.     Stations  132  to  147,  from  the  end 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         243 

of  Long  Point  to  Arlington,  connecting  with  station  No.  1.  Air 
73° ;  water  80°  to  82° ;  depth  2  feet  and  under;  seine,  45-foot.  Bot- 
tom sand,  covered  in  most  places  with  a  more  or  less  thick  mat  of 
Chara  contraria,  with  a  good  deal  of  Vallisneria  spiralis,  Naias 
fiexilis  and  Potamogeton  pectinaUis.  Just  off  the  end  of  Long 
Point  is  a  large  bed  of  mussels.  Catch:  Bluegill,  1,224;  yellow 
perch,  432;  pumpkinseed,  244;  skipjack,  101;  blunt-nose  minnow, 
21 ;  rock  bass,  10 ;  yellow  cat,  2 ;  silverfin  minnow,  6 ;  log  perch, 
13;  Notropis  heterodon,  1.  As  may  be  seen  from  the  above,  blue- 
gills,  skipjacks,  pumpkinseeds,  and  yellow  perch  were  very  abund- 
ant. The  vast  majority  of  each  of  these  species  were  young  fish, 
either  of-the-year  or  one  year  old. 

July  18,  1 :35  to  4 :25  p.  m.  Stations  148  to  168,  beginning  at 
the  McOuat  cottage  (where  station  No.  110  ended)  and  proceeding 
northward  to  the  Shirk  cottage  just  north  of  the  Maxinkuckee  road. 
Air  80° ;  water  80°  to  84^° ;  depth  3  feet  and  under;  seine,  45-foot. 
Rocky  shore  and  gravelly  bottom,  then  sand  and  gravel  bottom 
with  some  mud  in  places,  with  areas  of  Chara  here  and  there. 

Catch:  Bluegill,  1,430;  log  perch,  366;  yellow  perch,  202; 
skipjack,  several  hundred;  small-mouth  black  bass,  114;  silver-fin 
minnow,  29 ;  silverside,  19 ;  grayback  minnow,  16 ;  rock  bass,  13 ; 
hog  sucker,  6;  straw  bass,  11 ;  blunt-nose  minnow,  7.  Young  blue- 
gills  were  remarkably  abundant,  as  many  as  300  being  taken  in 
one  haul.  Log  perch  also  were  very  abundant,  151  being  taken  in 
a  single  haul.     Young  skipjacks  were  exceedingly  numerous. 

July  19,  2  :30  to  4 :30  p.  m.  Stations  169  to  184,  beginning  at 
the  Shirk  cottage  and  proceeding  northward  to  near  the  Indiana 
boathouse.  Air  84°;  water  82°  to  84°;  depth  3  feet  and  under; 
seine  15-foot.     Sky  clear,  wind  from  northwest,  lake  choppy. 

Catch :  Yellow  perch,  430 ;  bluegill,  about  250 ;  grayback  min- 
now, 124;  skipjack,  many  young;  small-mouth  black  bass,  38; 
straw  bass,  45;  log  perch,  54;  rock  bass,  87;  blunt-nose  minnow, 
10  ;  pumpkinseed,  139 ;  Johnny  darter,  2 ;  rot-gut  minnow,  1 ;  straw- 
colored  minnow,  3. 

July  20,  1:42  to  4:05  p.m.  Stations  185  to  202,  northward 
from  just  south  of  Indiana  boathouse  to  Aubeenaubee  Bay.  Air 
87°;  water  81°  to  84°;  depth  4  feet  and  under;  seine,  15-foot  at 
stations  185  to  187  and  202,  45-foot  at  all  others.  Sky  broken 
cloudy,  moderate  breeze  south  by  east.  Catch:  Bluegill,  669;  log 
perch,  275;  yellow  perch,  160;  skipjack,  many  young;  small-mouth 
black  bass,  69;  straw  bass,  19;  pumpkinseed,  24;  rock  bass,  54; 
grayback  minnow,  17;  blunt-nose  minnow,  4;  long-nose  gar,  1. 

July  21,  afternoon.     Stations  203  to  228,  from  northeast  corner 


244         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

of  lake  westward  to  The  Roost.     Air  89° ;  water  79°  to  88° ;  depth, 

2  feet  and  under;  seine.  45-foot.  Bottom  at  first  mud  then  sand 
and  some  gravel.  Much  Chara,  Pontederia,  Scirpus  and  Potamog- 
eton. 

Catch:  Skipjack,  young,  very  abundant;  bluegill,  267;  straw 
bass,  203;  yellow  perch,  211;  blunt-nose  minnow,  84;  log  perch, 
15 ;  grayback  minnow,  190  ;  pumpkinseed,  50 ;  rock  bass,  43 ;  yellow 
cat,  4 ;  long-nose  gar,  3 ;  green  sunfish,  1 ;  small-mouth  black  bass, 
26;  Notrojns  umbratilis,  12. 

July  22,  2  :00  to  5  :00  p.  m.  Stations  229  to  247,  from  The  Roost 
westward  to  Kreutzberger's  pier.  Air  87° ;  water  81°  to  87° ;  depth, 

3  feet  and  under ;  seine,  45-foot.  Bottom  unusually  varied,  ranging 
from  mud  and  sand  through  gravel  to  boulders;  much  Chara  and 
some  Potamogeton. 

Catch:  Bluegill,  1,187;  log  perch,  371;  skipjack,  numerous 
young;  small-mouth  black  bass,  66;  yellow  perch,  158;  straw  bass, 
17;  rock  bass,  27;  pumpkinseed,  13;  grayback  minnow,  14;  blunt- 
nose  minnow,  5 ;  silverside,  2. 

July  24,  2:15  to  4:30  p.m.  Stations  248  to  263,  from  end  of 
Long  Point  west  and  north  to  ice-houses.  Air  87° ;  water  83° 
to  86°;  depth  3  feet  and  under;  seine,  45-foot.  Bottom  mud  or 
marl,  very  little  sand  and  no  gravel.  Usually  a  heavy  growth  of 
vegetation  consisting  chiefly  of  Vallisneria  spiralis,  Philotria 
canadensis,  Potamogeton  pectinatiis,  P.  amplifolms,  Megalodonta 
beckii,  Heteranthera  dnbia,  Naias  flexUis,  Chara  contraria,  and 
Potamogeton  lucens.  Right  at  the  Outlet  is  a  small  patch  of 
Nymphaea  advena  and  a  few  plants  of  Castalia  odorata.  Just  off 
the  ice-houses  diatoms  are  more  abundant  than  at  any  other  place 
in  the  lake. 

Catch:  Yellow  perch,  280 ; 'bluegill,  211;  skipjack,  numei'ous; 
pumpkinseed,  81 ;  rock  bass,  41 ;  log  perch,  38 ;  warmouth,  6 ;  straw 
bass,  21;  small-mouth  black  bass,  9;  bullhead,  4;  Johnny  darter, 
2;  grayback  minnow,  2;  short-nose  gar,  1;  grass  pike,  1.  In  the 
series  of  hauls  were  secured  the  first  specimens  of  short-nose  gar 
and  w^armouth.  Most  of  the  fish  taken  were  young,  as  usual ;  how- 
ever, some  large  fish  were  caught,  among  them  a  straw  bass  weigh- 
ing 4^  pounds  and  another  of  2^  pounds. 

July  25,  2 :20  to  5 :00  p.  m.  Stations  264  to  280,  from  Kreut- 
berger's  pier  southward  to  the  Assembly  grounds.  Air  86° ; 
water  81°  to  86° ;  depth  4  feet  and  under;  seine,  45-foot.  Bottom 
usually  of  sand,  sometimes  mud  or  marl  in  the  deeper  places. 
Vegetation,  Eleocharis  interstincta  (the  only  patch  in  the  lake), 
Scirpus  validus  and  S.  americanus,  Vallisneria  spiralis,  Potamog- 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         245 

eton  amplifolius  and  pectinatus,  Myriojjhyllum  verticillatum,  Cera- 
tophyllum  demei-sum,  Philotria  canadensis,  Hydrodyction,  etc. 

Catch:  Bluegill,  67o  plus  many  young;  yellow  perch  369  plus 
many  young;  rock  bass,  147;  pumpkinseed,  118;  straw  bass,  29; 
blunt-nose  minnow,  18;  skipjack,  many  young;  grayback  minnow, 
13 ;  small-mouth  black  bass,  6 ;  silverside,  4 ;  Notropis  heterodon, 
3 ;  bullhead,  1 ;  dogfish,  1 ;  Johnny  darter,  2 ;  rotgut  minnow,  2 ; 
warmouth,  1 ;  chub  sucker,  1  (first  one  caught  of  this  species) . 

July  26,  2  :30  to  4 :45  p.  m.  Stations  281  to  293,  from  Assembly 
grounds  pier  south  to  ice-houses  connecting  with  station  263,  and 
completing  the  circuit  of  the  lake.  Air  83° ;  water  84°  and  86° ; 
depth  5  feet  and  under;  seine,  45-foot.  Bottom  sandy,  with  some 
mud,  covered  with  considerable  Potamogeton,  Chara  and  Scirpus. 

Catch:  Yellow  perch,  250;  bluegill,  120;  rock  bass,  82;  pump- 
kinseed, 81;  skipjack,  numerous  young;  straw  bass,  20;  grayback 
minnow,  11;  log  perch,  10;  blunt-nose  minnow,  4;  grass  pike,  4; 
Notropis  heterodon,  13;  small-mouth  black  bass,  2;  warmouth,  2; 
Johnny  darter,  1 ;  yellow  cat,  1. 

July  27,  1 :05  to  3  : 30  p.  m.  Stations  294  to  312,  all  but  the  last 
eight  in  lagoons  in  the  Military  Academy  grounds  the  remaining 
eight  in  Culver  Inlet  from  the  upper  lagoon  into  the  woods  about 
three-fourths  of  a  mile  above.  Air  80° ;  water  65°  to  84° ;  depth 
5  feet  and  under;  seine,  15-foot.  Bottom  of  soft  mud  near  shore, 
gravelly  nearer  center  in  the  lagoon ;  creek  mostly  muddy  bottom 
and  marshy  shores. 

Catch :  Straw  bass,  186 ;  creek  chub,  69 ;  bluegill,  52 ;  chub 
sucker,  29 ;  rotgut  minnow,  14 ;  Notropis  heterodon,  10 ;  grass  pike, 
8 ;  yellow  perch,  5 ;  mud  minnow,  3 ;  warmouth,  3 ;  small-mouth 
black  bass,  4;  pumpkinseed,  5;  yellow  cat,  7;  rock  bass,  2;  mad 
tom,  1, 

July  28,  2:25  to  3:55  p.m.  Stations  313  to  327,  in  the  Outlet 
from  Lake  Maxinkuckee  to  Lost  Lake.  Air  81° ;  water  82.5°  to 
83°;  depth  3  feet  and  under;  seine,  15-foot.  Bottom  gravelly  for 
a  few  feet  in  upper  portion,  then  sandy,  then  of  soft  muck. 

Catch :  Bluegill,  514  ;  straw  bass,  43  ;  warmouth,  16 ;  pumpkin- 
seed, 16;  skipjack,  several;  rock  bass,  4;  grass  pike,  4;  big-eared 
sunfish,  2 ;  yellow  cat,  1 ;  Fundidus  dispar,  1 ;  calico  bass,  1 ;  chub 
sucker,  1. 

July  29,  3:05  to  3:50  p.m.  Stations  328  to  341,  east  side  of 
Lost  Lake  from  Sunset  cottage  south  to  muck  bottom  at  southwest 
end.  Air  77° ;  water  82°  to  83.5° ;  depth  2  feet  and  under;  seine, 
45-foot.  Bottom  sandy  or  muddy,  with  much  Chara,  some  Scirpus 
and  some  lily-pads. 


246         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Catch:  Bluegill,  many,  mostly  yomig;  Notropis  heterodon,  78; 
pumpkinseed,  7 ;  skipjack,  several ;  straw  bass,  11 ;  small-mouth 
black  bass,  3 ;  grass  pike,  3 ;  blunt-nose  minnow,  2 ;  grayback  min- 
now, 1 ;  red-eared  sunfish,  1. 

July  31,  1 :40  to  3 :45  p.  m.  Stations  342  to  363,  north  and  west 
shores  of  Lost  Lake.  Air  76° ;  water,  81°  to  86° ;  depth  4  feet  and 
under;  seines,  15-foot  and  45-foot.  Bottom  sand  or  mud  with 
much  vegetation,  such  as  lily-pads  (Nymph^ea  and  Castalia), 
Scirpus,  Myriophyllum,  Chara,  etc.  Afternoon  pleasant,  growing 
hazy  toward  evening;  very  little  breeze. 

Catch:  Bluegill,  abundant,  mostly  young;  Notropis  heterodon, 
many;  skipjack,  many;  red-eared  sunfish,  22;  straw  bass,  32; 
pumpkinseed,  24 ;  Fundidus  dispar,  6 ;  small-mouth  black  bass,  2 ; 
blunt-nose  minnow,  4 ;  mud  minnow,  1 ;  grass  pike,  1 ;  warmouth, 
3;  chub  sucker,  2. 

August  1,  1:37  to  3:30  p.m.  Stations  364  to  379,  west  side 
of  Lost  Lake  from  Hawk's  barn  south  to  where  the  lake  narrows, 
then  a  few  hauls  in  the  outlet  and  two  hauls  (Nos.  378  and  379) 
on  east  side  of  outlet.  This  entire  stretch  of  shore  was  not  seined, 
as  patches  of  Castalia,  etc.,  made  it  impossible  in  some  places.  The 
water  was  very  clear  and  the  sunfish  could  be  seen  swimming  about 
in  large  numbers.  Air  82° ;  water  78°  to  79° ;  depth  3.5  feet 
and  under;  seines,  15-  and  45-foot.  Bottom  mostly  of  mud  and 
muck.     Rank  vegetation. 

Catch :  Bluegill,  about  200 ;  red-eared  sunfish,  about  50 ; 
Fundulus  dispar,  66 ;  Notropis  heterodon,  about  30  ;  straw  bass,  16 ; 
warmouth,  19  ;  chub  sucker,  4 ;  grass  pike,  2  ;  yellow  perch,  2 ;  small- 
mouth  black  bass,  6;  least  darter,  3;  skipjack,  1;  Johnny  darter,  1. 

August  2,  afternoon.  Stations  380  to  390,  in  the  Outlet  be- 
tween the  two  lakes,  over  the  same  grounds  as  Nos.  313  to  327. 
Air,  82° ;  water,  83.5°  to  84° ;  depth  2  feet  or  less;  seine,  15-foot. 

Catch :  Bluegill,  307  and  many  young ;  straw  bass,  152  ;  small- 
mouth  black  bass,  17 ;  warmouth,  15 ;  red-eared  sunfish,  12 ;  rock 
bass,  8 ;  grass  pike,  4 ;  mud  minnow,  2 ;  calico  bass,  1 ;  least  darter, 
1 ;  Fundidus  dispar,  1 ;  green  sunfish,  2. 

August  3,  afternoon.  Stations  391  to  395,  beginning  in  front 
of  Arlington  thence  southward.  Air  84° ;  water  80° ;  depth  4  feet 
and  under ;  seine,  120-foot. 

Catch :  Yellow  perch,  243  ;  bluegill,  85 ;  log  perch,  125 ;  small- 
mouth  black  bass,  49 ;  rock  bass,  36 ;  grayback  minnow,  41 ;  straw 
bass,  46;  blunt-nose  minnow,  2. 

August  4,  afternoon.  Stations  396  to  422.  First  6  hauls 
southward  from  Green's  pier,  the  next  in  the  marsh  about  Norris 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         247 

Inlet,  and  the  remaining  ones  (Nos.  411  to  422)  in  Aubeenaubee 
Creek.  Air  83°;  water,  84.5°  to  85.5°  in  the  lake,  72°  to  73  in 
the  creek;  depth,  2  feet  and  under;  seine,  25-foot  in  lake,  15-foot  in 
creek. 

Catch  in  the  lake :  Yellow  perch,  52 ;  log  perch,  30 ;  bluegill,  25 ; 
straw  bass,  21 ;  small-mouth  black  bass,  12 ;  grayback  minnow,  46 ; 
blunt-nose  minnow,  8;  skipjack,  1 ;  pumpkinseed,  1 ;  Johnny  darter, 
1;  yellow  cat,  2.  In  marsh:  Mud  minnow,  11;  grass  pike,  2.  In 
creek:  Creek  chub,  57;  mud  minnow,  10;  grass  pike,  9;  chub 
sucker,  1 ;  silverside,  1 ;  straw  bass,  2 ;  Maxinkuckee  darter,  1 ; 
Aubeenaubee  darter,  11:  rotgut  minnow,  7.  Crawfish  and  frogs 
abundant. 

August  7,  2 :  15  to  3 :00  p.  m.  Stations  423  to  426,  the  first  two 
hauls  between  Norris  pier  and  Norris  Inlet,  the  other  two  near 
Fulton's  pier.  Air  76° ;  water  80° ;  depth  6  feet  and  under;  seine, 
125-foot. 

Catch  :  Bluegill,  401 ;  log  perch,  576 ;  yellow  perch.  111 ;  small- 
mouth  black  bass,  147 ;  straw  bass,  48 ;  skipjack,  73  ;  grayback  min- 
now, 50 ;  calico  bass,  7 ;  rock  bass,  10 ;  pumpkinseed,  3 ;  Johnny 
darter,  1. 

August  10,  9:30  to  10:00  a.m.  Stations  427  to  433,  on  east 
side  of  Long  Point  from  the  Armstrong  to  the  Scovell  cottage.  Air 
83° ;  water  79° ;  morning  foggy  following  heavy  rain  the  day  be- 
fore ;  depth,  2  feet  and  under ;  seine,  15-foot. 

Catch:  Grayback  minnow,  74;  skipjack,  about  100;  rock  bass, 
23 ;  bluegill,  16 ;  yellow  perch,  40 ;  Notropis  heterodon,  11 ;  Iowa 
darter,  12;  Johnny  darter,  12;  straw  bass,  8;  log  perch,  8;  straw- 
colored  minnow,  6 ;  blunt-nose  minnow,  1 ;  small-mouth  bass,  1. 

August  11,  mornmg.  Stations  434  to  439,  on  east  side  of  Long 
Point  from  the  Meyer  to  the  Armstrong  cottage.  Air  87° ;  water 
81° ;  depth  2  feet  and  under;  seine,  15-foot.  Catch:  Skipjack,  about 
1,000;  bluegill,  135;  yellow  perch,  108;  grayback  minnow,  58; 
straw  bass,  30 ;  Iowa  darter,  38 ;  rock  bass,  29 ;  Johnny  darter,  4 ; 
small-mouth  black  bass,  4;  log  perch,  1. 

September  6,  afternoon.  Stations  440  to  447,  in  Outlet  between 
the  two  lakes.  Air,  70° ;  water,  74° ;  seine,  15-foot.  Catch:  Blue- 
gill, about  250;  least  darter,  26;  straw  bass,  22;  warmouth,  24; 
Fundulus  dispar,  25;  skipjack,  6;  green  sunfish,  3;  yellow  cat,  2; 
pumpkinseed,  1 ;  Notropis  heterodon,  2 ;  grass  pike,  1. 

July  17,  1900.  1:00  to  2:30  p.  m.  Stations  448  to  451.  also 
460,  from  Fish  Commission  pier  south  to  below  the  first  Scirpus 
patch,  452  to  459,  from  Arlington  pier  north  to  the  linden  tree. 
Air,  77° ;  water,  77° ;  depth  3  feet  and  under;  seine,  25-foot. 


248         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Catch :  Yellow  perch,  196 ;  bluegill,  141 ;  grayback  minnow, 
96;  skipjack,  81;  Notrojris  heterodon,  64;  small-mouth  black  bass, 
84 ;  straw  bass,  34 ;  pumpkinseed,  25 ;  Johnny  darter,  7 ;  log  perch, 
5;  rock  bass,  3;  mad  tom,  1. 

The  'oass  ^small-  and  large-mouth)  were  each  about  2  inches 
long  (some  only  13/16  inch)  and  were  doubtless  present  year 
brood :  The  yellow  perch,  bluegills,  rock  bass,  log  perch  and  skip- 
jacks were  nearly  all  of  the  present  year's  brood. 

July  18,  2  :30  to  3  :30  p.  m.  Stations  461  to  467,  at  south  end 
from  Overmyer's  spring  west  to  small  brook  coming  out  of  Over- 
myer's  woods.     Air,  74° :  water,  79°.     Seine,  30-foot. 

Catch :  Bluegill,  58 ;  small-mouth  black  bass,  39  ;  straw  bass, 
25 ;  yellow  perch,  many ;  grayback  minnow,  many ;  Notropis  heter- 
odon, several ;  rock  bass,  4 ;  Johnny  darter,  2 ;  Iowa  darter,  1 ;  skip- 
jack, 1 ;  blunt-nose  minnow,  6 ;  common  bullhead,  1. 

The  small-mouth  bass  were  all  approximately  of  the  same  size 
and  averaged  1^  inches  long.  The  one  straw  bass  saved  measured 
IJj  inches  long.  The  two  rock  bass  measured  were  Ij  and  1.06 
inches  long,  and  the  yellow  perch  averaged  lij  inches.  All  of  these 
were  evidently  of  the  1900  brood.  The  graybacks  averaged 
2.34  inches  and  6  examples  of  Nofropis  heterodon,  2.34  inches.  The 
examples  of  these  two  species  were  probably  2  or  3  years  old. 

July  19,  2 :30  to  4 :30  p.  m.  Stations  468  to  481,  from  Murray's 
to  Farrar's.     Air,  80° ;  v/ater,  79° ;  seine,  30-foot. 

Catch :  Small-mouth  black  bass,  175 ;  log  perch,  25 ;  straw 
bass,  18 ;  grayback  minnow,  13 ;  yellow  perch,  12 ;  rock  bass,  3 ; 
skipjack,  2  large  schools  of  young  (hauls  473  and  474)  ;  straw-col- 
ored minnow,  46  ;  Iowa  darter,  2. 

August  7,  11:30  to  12:00  m.  Stations  482  and  483,  at  Fish 
Commission  pier.     Air,  89°;  water,  82°;  seine,  45-foot. 

Catch :  Bluegill,  50 ;  yellow  perch,  several ;  log  perch,  many : 
straw  bass,  few ;  small-mouth  black  bass,  few.  Some  of  the  blue- 
gills  weie  large. 

August  9,  9  :00  p.  m.  Stations  484  and  485,  at  Fish  Commis- 
sion pier,  with  45-iOot  seine.  Air,  85° ;  water,  82°.  Catch:  Blue- 
gill, many ;  rock  bass,  common  ;  yellow  perch,  common ;  straw  bass, 
small-mouth  black  bass,  log  perch,  straw-colored  minnow,  blunt- 
nose  minnow,  skipjack  and  grayback  minnow,  few ;  walleyed  pike, 
one  10-inch  example. 

August  10,  9:00  p.  m.  Station  486,  at  Fish  Commission  sta- 
tion, with  120-foot  seine.  Air,  85°;  water,  80°.  Catch:  Bluegill, 
abundant ;  rock  bass  and  yellow  perch,  few  large  and  many  young ; 
straw  bass,  small-mouth  black  bass,  log  perch,  straw-colored  min- 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  BioUxjical  Survey         249 

now,  blunt-nose  minnow,  skipjack  and  grayback  minnow,  few ;  and 
one  10-inch  walleyed  pike. 

August  14,  2:30  to  4:30  p.m.  Stations  487  to  506,  in 
Aubeenaubee  Creek  from  near  source  to  mouth,  with  15-foot  seine. 
Air,  70°;  water,  63°  to  66°. 

Catch:  Creek  chub,  a  few  in  nearly  every  haul;  mud  min- 
now, from  1  to  many  in  each  of  6  hauls;  yellow  perch,  from  2  to 
a  few  in  each  of  5  hauls;  rotgut  minnow,  a  few  in  each  of  9  hauls; 
Aubeenaubee  darter,  a  few  in  each  of  2  hauls ;  straw  bass,  4  young ; 
small-mouth  black  bass,  2;  bluegill,  1  young;  silverside,  1;  blunt- 
nose  minnow,  1 ;  grass  pike,  1 ;  black-nose  dace,  2. 

August  16,  2:30  to  4:30  p.m.  Stations  507  to  528,  in  Norris 
Inlet  beginning  near  its  source  and  proceeding  down  stream,  with 
15-foot  seine.     Air,  72°, 

Catch :  No  record  was  kept  of  the  number  of  specimens 
taken ;  the  record  shows  only  the  species  taken  at  each  haul.  In 
the  following  summary  the  figure  following  each  species  name  in- 
dicates the  number  of  hauls  at  which  one  or  more  specimens  of  that 
species  were  taken:  Bluegill,  6;  silverside,  11;  mud  minnow,  8; 
straw  bass,  7 ;  creek  chub,  4 ;  yellow  perch,  4 ;  yellow  cat,  6 ;  pump- 
kinseed,  2;  small-mouth  black  bass,  1;  grass  pike,  3;  crawfish,  6; 
frogs,  5;  shells,  2. 

August  17,  3:30  to  4:30  p.m.  Stations  529  to  539,  in  Culver 
Inlet  from  near  its  source  to  first  lagoon.     Air,  91°. 

The  following  species  were  taken  in  the  number  of  hauls  indi- 
cated :  Bluegill,  2 ;  straw  bass,  3 ;  silverside,  8 ;  yellow  cat,  3 ; 
yellow  perch,  1 ;  long-nosed  gar,  2 ;  black-nosed  dace,  1 ;  white 
sucker,  1 ;  mud  minnow,  2 ;  hornyhead  chub,  1 ;  chub  sucker,  1 ; 
rotgut  minnow,  1. 

At  8  p.  m.  on  August  18,  two  hauls  were  made  at  the  Fish  Com- 
mission pier  with  the  15-foot  seine,  catching  many  skipjacks,  sev- 
eral straw  bass,  black  bass,  bluegills,  log  perch,  Iowa  darters, 
Johnny  darters,  grayback  minnows,  rock  bass,  and  yellow  perch. 

August  21,  3:10  to  5:00  p.m.  Stations  540  to  563.  Air,  65° 
to  81°;  water  76°  to  84°.  Nos.  540  to  554  were  in  Culver  Inlet 
from  the  bend  east  of  the  Academy  grounds  to  the  mouth  at  the 
Academy  pier.  Mud  bottom  everywhere  with  much  marsh  gas. 
Vegetation  abundant;  Potamogeton  natans,  Ceratophyllum.  Phil- 
otria,  and  water-cress. 

The  species  gotten  in  this  part  of  the  creek  were,  in  order  of 
abundance,  bluegill,  straw-colored  minnow,  roach,  yellow  perch, 
straw  bass,  pumpkinseed,  chub  sucker,  warmouth,  rock  bass,  yel- 
low cat,  grass  pike,  white  sucker,  small-mouth  black  bass,  silver- 


250         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

side,  creek  chub,  blunt-nose  minnow,  skipjack,  stone-roller,  com- 
mon bullhead,  and  Johnny  darter.  There  were  also  crawfish, 
painted  turtles,  snapping  turtles,  map  turtles,  and  water-dogs. 
Nos.  555  to  559  were  in  the  Outlet  between  the  railroad  bridge  and 
Lost  Lake;  Nos.  560  and  561  in  northwest  corner  of  Lost  Lake  at 
the  boat  landing;  Nos.  562  and  563  on  west  side  of  Lost  Lake  just 
south  of  Hawk's  barn. 

The  following  is  the  list  of  fishes  obtained,  in  order  of  abund- 
ance: Bluegill,  skipjack,  rock  bass,  pumpkinseed,  warmouth,  chub 
sucker,  straw  bass,  small-mouth  black  bass,  yellow  perch,  grass 
pike,  common  bullhead,  least  darter,  red-eared  sunfish,  Fimdulus 
disyar,  and  several  painted  turtles. 

August  23,  7  :00.  to  8 :45  a.  m.  Stations  564  to  575,  from  Fish 
Commission  station  southward,  with  35-  and  20-foot  seines.  Air, 
70°  to  78°;  water,  80°.  Cloudy,  calm  and  threatening  in  morn- 
ing, strong  puffy  wind  at  10  a.  m.  and  lake  rough. 

The  species  obtained,  in  order  of  abundance,  were:  Bluegill, 
straw-colored  minnow,  blunt-nose  minnow,  satinfin,  log  perch,  Iowa 
darter,  Johnny  darter,  yellow  perch,  small-mouth  black  bass,  straw 
bass,  grayback  minnow,  rock  bass,  skipjack,  and  pumpkinseed. 
The  Iowa  darters  and  Johnny  darters  were  near  shore,  the  log 
perch  a  little  farther  out,  quite  abundant  and  very  fine. 

August  25,  3  to  4 :30  p.  m.  Stations  576  to  585,  in  the  outlet 
below  Lost  Lake  at  the  old  millsite.     Air,  84° ;  water,  77°. 

Catch :  Bluegill,  80  :  pumpkinseed,  29 ;  Fimdidus  dispar,  20 ; 
Iowa  darter,  11;  chub  sucker,  9;  straw  bass,  4;  skipjack,  4;  com- 
mon bullhead,  3 ;  roach,  3 ;  small-mouth  black  bass,  2. 

September  20,  8 :30  to  9  :30  p.  m.  Stations  586  to  595,  in  front 
of  Fish  Commission  station  with  25-  and  45-foot  seines.  Air, 
71°;  water,  67°. 

Fish  very  abundant,  the  following  species  taken:  Bluegill, 
numerous  small  ones ;  yellow  perch,  many  small  and  a  few  large ; 
skipjack,  many  small;  rock  bass,  a  few  large  and  many  small; 
calico  bass,  5 ;  straw-colored  minnow,  few ;  grayback  minnow,  few ; 
mad  torn,  few;  walleyed  pike,  one  very  large  and  2  smaller  ones; 
white  sucker,  2  large  ones;  dogfish,  one  large  male;  a  few  small 
crawfish;  one  large  bullfrog;  one  large  map  turtle. 

September  22,  6 :45  to  7 :35  a.  m.  Stations  596  to  600,  between 
Fish  Commission  station  and  first  Scirpus  patch  south.  Air,  52° ; 
water,  65°.  Sky  with  light  clouds;  slight  northwest  breeze;  lake 
smooth.     Seines,  15-  and  25-foot. 

Catch:  Log  perch,  many;  small-mouth  black  bass,  several; 
skipjack,  straw  bass,  rock  bass,  yellow  perch,  bluegill  and  Iowa 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         251 

darter,  a  few  young  of  each ;  Johnny  darter,  1 ;  map  turtle,  1  young; 
crawfish,  5. 

October  23,  forenoon.  Stations,  601  to  607,  in  upper  half  of 
Outlet,  in  open  water  with  25-foot  seine.     Air,  65° ;  water,  64°. 

Catch:  Straw  bass,  a  great  many  (75  in  first  haul),  each  4  to 
6  inches  long,  a  few  larger ;  bluegill,  many  small  ones ;  warmouth, 
several ;  red-eared  sunfish,  many,  medium  size ;  pumpkinseed,  3 
small  ones;  rock  bass,  5  young;  grass  pike,  2  young;  mud  min- 
now, 1;  Fiindidus  dispar,  3;  Johnny  darter,  Iowa  darter,  and  least 
darter,  several  of  each ;  yellow  cat,  several  young.  Also  a  few 
larval  salamanders  and  cricket  frogs. 

November  28,  morning.  Stations  608  and  609,  with  15-foot 
seine,  in  front  of  Barnes  cottage  just  north  of  Arlington  pier,  for 
skipjacks  of  which  about  2  gallons  were  caught.  With  them  were 
a  few  small  straw-colored  minnows  and  blunt-nose  minnows. 

Besides  the  more  or  less  regular  seining  operations  detailed  in 
the  preceding  paragraphs,  considerable  miscellaneous  seining  was 
done  at  odd  times  for  diverse  specific  purposes,  among  which  may 
be  mentioned  getting  material  for  studies  of  structure,  fish-food, 
parasites,  growth,  spawning,  enemies,  coloration,  variation,  asso- 
ciation and  distribution.  In  these  cases  the  seine  hauls  were  not 
recorded  in  the  regular  series  and,  usually,  only  those  matters 
especially  under  consideration  were  noted. 

This  miscellaneous  seining,  however,  yielded  much  valuable 
data  on  many  of  these  questions. 

Late  in  the  summer  and  early  fall  many  hauls  were  made  at 
night,  chiefly  with  a  short  seine  and  in  shallow  water  along  the  east 
side  of  Long  Point.  These  operations  demonstrated  that  there  is 
a  general  inshore  movement  at  night,  not  only  of  the  carnivorous 
species  but  of  other  kinds  as  well;  and  many  of  the  fishes  caught 
were  of  large  size.  Among  those  that  were  frequent  in  these  night 
catches  were  large-mouth  bass,  small-mouth  black  bass,  dogfish, 
walleyed  pike,  white  sucker  and  water-dogs.  All  of  these  except 
the  sucker  evidently  come  in  shore  at  night  to  feed  on  the  smaller 
fry  abundant  in  shallow  water,  as  was  demonstrated  by  an  exam- 
ination of  many  stomachs. 

Late  in  the  fall  and  early  winter  considerable  seining  was  done 
with  a  small  seine  in  shallow  water  both  in  the  day  time  and  at 
night  for  the  purpose  of  securing  study  material  of  the  small  min- 
nows which  it  was  discovered  congregate  in  vast  schools  at  that 
season.  Some  of  these  great  schools,  consisting  of  thousands  of 
fish,  were  found  to  be  made  up  chiefly  of  straw-colored  minnows 
with  fewer  of  the  variable-toothed  minnow,  a  few  of  the  Cayuga 


252         Lake  Maxinkvckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Siirveij 

minnow  and  a  few  grayback  minnows ;  other  schools  would  be  com- 
posed of  grayback  minnows  almost  entirely,  and  still  others  of 
skipjacks. 

Gill-nets: — Several  g-ill-nets  were  used  in  July,  1899.  but,  as  the 
results  were  chiefly  negative,  their  use  was  discontinued  at  the  end 
of  that  month. 

Nets  of  2,  2-i  and  3^  inch  (bar)  mesh  were  used.  The  nets 
were  tried  in  various  places,  in  water  of  different  depths,  at  dif- 
ferent depths  (sometimes  at  the  surface,  and  again  at  intermediate 
depths),  and  under  diverse  conditions.  The  conclusion  reached 
after  a  month's  trial  was  that  the  results  obtained  did  not  justify 
the  time  and  labor  involved.  Only  4  different  species  of  fishes  were 
taken  in  the  gill-nets ;  these,  in  order  of  numbers  taken,  were  straw 
bass,  yellow  perch,  walleyed  pike  and  long-nosed  gar.  The  bass 
were  of  moderate  size  (from  |  to  1\  lbs.),  the  perch  were  all  of 
good  size,  the  single  walleyed  pike  weighed  2  pounds,  and  the  single 
gar  was  27  inches  long. 

The  coarse-mesh  net  caught  nothing ;  the  2-inch  mesh  was  most 
effective. 

The  majority  of  the  fish  caught  were  in  nets  set  in  shallow 
water;  none  was  caught  as  deep  as  25  feet.  The  nets  set  at  the 
edge  of  bars  or  deep  holes  were  the  ones  in  which  fish  were  most 
often  taken.  Those  set  near  the  surface  yielded  more  than  when 
set  deeper  in  the  same  water.  More  fish  were  caught  at  night  than 
during  the  day. 

One  of  the  principal  objects  in  using  gill-nets  was  to  determine 
whether  the  Tippecanoe  Cisco  (Leucichthys  sisco)  inhabits  this 
lake.     The  tests  seemed  to  demonstrate  that  it  does  not. 

Set-lines: — A  number  of  tests  were  made  with  set-lines,  chiefly 
in  the  south  part  of  the  lake  and  in  Lost  Lake.  It  was  desired  to 
know  what  species  could  be  taken  in  this  manner,  the  most  suitable 
places  for  each,  the  best  kinds  of  bait,  the  best  season,  etc. 

Only  negative  results  were  obtained  in  deep  water,  and  usually 
in  all  other  places  except  on  muddy  bottom.  The  only  species 
caught  were  yellow  cat,  common  bullhead  cat,  dogfish,  rock  bass, 
water-dog,  snapping  turtle,  soft-shell  turtle,  map  turtle  and  musk 
turtle.  The  catfish  could  generally  be  taken  in  considerable  num- 
bers on  mud  or  marl  bottom,  especially  in  Lost  Lake.  Many  water- 
dogs  and  turtles  also  were  taken  in  the  same  and  similar  places. 
Only  a  few  dogfish  were  caught. 

Various  kinds  cf  bait  were  used,  the  principal  ones  being  beef, 
liver,  mussel,  crawfish,  and  cut  fish.  Liver  seemed  bost,  though  all 
were  effective. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         253 

The  interesting  fact  is  that  none  of  the  basses  (except  rock 
bass)  or  perches  was  taken  by  this  means. 

Traps: — Various  sorts  of  minnow  traps  were  used  to  some  ex- 
tent. The  results  were  unimportant.  Necessarily  only  small 
fishes  could  be  caught  in  this  way,  and,  as  the  traps  were  set  at 
some  pier,  only  those  shallow  water  species  frequenting  such  places 
entered  the  traps.  These,  approximately  in  order  of  abundance, 
were  the  straw-colored  minnow,  blunt-nosed  minnow,  grayback, 
young  yellow  perch,  skipjack,  Johnny  darter,  young  bluegills  and 
young  rock  bass. 

Dredging: — One  of  the  most  important  parts  of  the  investiga- 
tion of  the  lake  was  the  dredging.  It  is  to  the  work  of  the  dredge 
that  we  owe  much  of  our  knowledge  of  the  character  of  the  bot- 
tom ;  indeed,  all  our  knowledge  of  the  deeper  parts  except  what 
could  be  inferred  from  such  portions  of  mud  as  adhered  to  the 
sounding-lead.  It  is  also  to  the  dredge  that  we  owe  all  our  knowl- 
edge of  the  character  and  distribution  of  the  flora  of  the  lake  ex- 
cept in  the  very  shallow  portions  about  shore,  and  all  we  know 
about  many  animals^ — mollusks,  insect  larvse  and  crustaceans — 
which  escape  other  means  of  capture,  such  as  the  seines  near 
shore  and  the  plankton  nets  at  the  difi'erent  plankton  stations 
and  at  the  surface.  The  dredge  covered  a  greater  amount  of 
territory  and  yielded  a  larger  assemblage  of  objects  and  data  than 
was  furnished  by  any  other  implement  except  the  seine.  It  is  not 
only  material,  but  also  conditions  that  are  revealed  by  the  opera- 
tions of  the  dredge ;  and  what  was  learned  of  the  winter  behavior 
of  the  plants  and  animals  of  the  lake  was  obtained  chiefly  by  the 
use  of  this  valuable  instrument. 

Indeed,  so  multifarious  are  the  lines  of  investigation  in  which 
the  dredge  is  used,  that  the  instrument  is  to  a  considerable  extent 
concealed  behind  its  work,  and,  unlike  those  instruments  used  but 
for  a  single  end,  such  as  the  thermometer  to  take  temperatures,  the 
seine  to  capture  fishes,  the  plankton  nets  to  collect  minute  organ- 
isms, etc.,  it  is  not  always  recognized  at  its  full  value  or  associated 
in  mind  with  all  the  results  it  accomplished  or  helps  accomplish. 
It  is,  therefore,  well  to  call  attention  to  the  fact  that  not  only  this 
brief  chapter  on  dredging,  but  also  the  greater  part  of  what  has 
been  written  concerning  the  lake  bottom,  nearly  all  relating  to  lake 
botany,  and  much  concerning  food  of  fishes,  and  of  the  ecology  of 
the  lake,  are  due  to  the  operations  of  this  useful  instrument. 

Of  the  immense  number  of  dredge  hauls  made,  many  need  not 
be  specifically  considered  in  this  discussion,  either  because  the  re- 
sults obtained  have  been  fully  treated  elsewhere  in  connection  with 


254         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

the  consideration  of  the  lake  bottom  or  of  aquatic  botany  or  the 
various  other  subjects  mentioned  above,  or  because  they  are  so 
similar  to  others  given  as  general  types  that  their  repetition  would 
be  monotonous  without  giving  any  additional  information;  they 
serve  the  important  but  not  spectacular  function  of  confirming 
and  witnessing  to  the  facts  presented  in  the  typical  hauls. 

A  good  deal  of  the  dredging  in  shallow  water  in  such  places  as 
Outlet  Bay,  the  Norris  Inlet  region,  the  Weedpatch,  etc.,  was  ac- 
complished by  means  of  a  common  garden  rake,  which  was  used 
principally  during  the  winter  through  holes  cut  in  the  ice.  The 
rake  is  not  well  adapted  for  use  from  a  boat  during  the  summer, 
as  the  manipulation  of  it  requires  the  use  of  both  hands,  and  the 
boat  answers  too  readily  to  any  pull  to  enable  one  to  get  much  pur- 
chase on  objects  in  the  bottom.  Two  men  in  a  boat,  one  at  the  oars 
and  one  with  the  rake  can,  however,  accomplish  a  good  deal  in 
shallow  water.  When  operated  either  through  holes  in  the  ice  or 
from  a  boat,  the  rake  is  useful  only  in  rather  shallow  water.  By 
fastening  a  splice  to  the  handle  one  can  work  10  to  12-foot  depths 
fairly  well,  but  beyond  this  the  rake  becomes  too  unwieldy;  the 
handle  is  too  buoyant  to  allow  one  to  force  the  rake-head  down  to 
the  bottom,  and  too  flexible  to  work  the  rake  satisfactorily  when 
down. 

The  rake  was  used  extensively  during  the  winter  of  1900-1901 
and  again  in  1904.  By  its  means  the  condition  and  behavior  of 
the  lake  plants  during  the  winter  were  observed,  the  kinds  of  soil 
adhering  to  their  roots  noted,  and,  by  washing  the  plants  out  in 
water  and  straining  the  resulting  liquid,  numerous  important 
forms,  amphipods,  isopods,  crawfishes,  small  mollusks,  caddis  cases 
with  the  enclosed  larvae,  damsel-  and  dragon-fly  larvae,  leeches, 
worms,  and  protozoa  were  obtained.  Various  species  of  darters 
(Etheostoma  ioivx;  Boleosoma  nigrum)  mad  toms  (Schilbeodes 
gyrinus),  Sticklebacks  {Eucalia  incoustans) ,  and  the  young  of 
many  of  the  game  and  food-fishes  (bluegill,  rock  bass,  etc.)  which 
were  among  the  weeds  feeding  upon  the  insect  larvae  and  amphipods 
were  also  captured  in  the  entangled  masses  of  weeds. 

For  deep  water  and  for  summer  work  various  forms  of  dredges 
were  used,  one  of  the  most  effective  consisting  of  a  sort  of  double- 
toothed  comb  made  by  fastening  together  a  series  of  parallel  pieces 
of  moderately  heavy  strap-iron  (like  that  used  for  tires  of  light 
wagons).  The  pieces  of  strap-iron,  about  18  inches  long,  with  a 
hole  drilled  through  the  center  of  each,  and  2  crosspieces  of  simi- 
lar strap-iron,  one  on   each  side,  were  riveted  to  these  parallel 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         255 

pieces,  which  became  the  teeth.  The  teeth  were  sharpened  and 
bent  in  the  form  of  a  half  circle.  A  ring  was  fastened  to  each 
end  of  the  crosspieces  and  to  these  the  dredge-rope  was  fastened. 
The  resulting  dredge,  let  down  to  the  bottom,  was  certain  to  land 
on  one  side  or  the  other,  and,  like  the  cant  hook  of  the  logger's 
camp,  was  sure  to  take  hold  of  whatever  it  touched,  and  almost  al- 
ways brought  up  something. 

Below  is  given,  in  tabulated  form,  a  record  of  various  dredge 
hauls  and  their  results.  In  the  first  table,  an  attempt  is  made,  by 
selecting  from  a  large  series  of  records  and  arranging  in  sequence 
of  depth,  to  give  the  results  obtained  by  hauls  at  different  depths, 
proceeding  from  1  to  3  feet  deep  to  water  85  feet,  close  to  the 
greatest  depth  to  be  found  in  the  lake. 

These  tables  serve  to  show  in  detail  what,  of  course,  was  well 
known  in  a  general  way,  that  the  greater  number  of  forms,  both 
plant  and  animal,  are  most  abundant  in  the  shallow  water,  the  first 
few  feet  near  the  surface  containing  the  great  majority  of  organ- 
isms in  the  lake,  the  deeper  waters  being  comparatively  tenantless. 
Only  2  living  forms  descend  to  the  greatest  depths ;  one  a  "red- 
worm"  or  Chironomus  larva,  which  comes  up  to  near  the  surface 
during  the  night  to  obtain  air.  This  is  one  of  the  most  attractive 
and  highly  prized  tidbits  of  the  various  fishes  of  the  lake,  and  can 
retire  into  the  depths  beyond  the  pursuit  of  the  most  adventurous. 
The  other  organism  is  a  species  of  Sphserium.  How  it  can  live 
in  these  depths  where  the  water  is  devoid  of  oxygen  is  a  mystery. 
In  this  connection  attention  may  be  called  to  the  habits  of  a  species 
of  Sphserium  found  in  the  woodland  ponds  near  the  lake.  These 
ponds  are  dry  during  the  greater  portion  of  the  year,  and  at  this 
time  the  Sphserium  remains  among  the  moist  leaves  of  the  bottom, 
apparently  in  the  condition  of  suspended  animation.  The  two  hab- 
its,— one  manifested  above  the  lake  surface  and  the  other  far  below, 
are  apparently  quite  similar. 

The  following  is  a  brief  resume  of  the  life  at  difi'erent  depths, 
as  shown  by  the  dredging  and  tables: 

From  1  to  14  feet,  the  great  mass  of  life,  both  plant  and  animal, 
of  the  lake;  24-25  feet,  lower  limit  of  plant  growth,  Nitella  being 
the  only  plant  found  in  any  abundance  at  25  feet ;  30-35  feet,  lower 
limit  of  nearly  all  animal  life  except  the  2  organisms  mentioned 
above ;  lower  limit  of  Vivipara  contectoides,  one  of  the  most  abund- 
ant and  widely  distributed  organisms  of  the  lake. 


17-17618 


256         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


TABLE  OF  DREDGING  AND  RESULTS 


Depth 
in  feet 

No.  of 
haul 

Date 

Locality 

Apparatus 

Results 

1-3 

Oct.    22,  1904 

Off  from  ice- 
houses  

Rake 

Bottom;  dark,  soft,  marl. 

Plants;  winter  buds  of  ditch  moss  (Pliilotria), 
hornwort  (Ceratophyllum),  and  stolonsj  of 
wild  celery.  (Vallisneria),  much  green 
algae,  and  Chara,  the  Chara  mostly  brown 
but  with  bright  green  bits  here  and  there. 

Animals;  isopods  abundant;  leeches  common; 
amphipods  numerous;  large  dragon-fly  larvae 
common;  various  mollusks,  such  as  Ancylus, 
Vivipara  contectoides,  old  and  young,  Plan- 
orbis  ezacutus;  there  were  a[few  crawfishes, 
(Cambarus  propinquus). 

1-3 
1-3 

Oct.  ;_31,  1904 
Jan.     12,  1901 

Off  from  ice- 
houses  

Outlet  Bay 

Rake 

Rake 

Bottom;  dark,  soft,  marly. 

Vegetation;  much  as  above;  chiefly  Chara  and 

leaves  of  wild  celery. 
Animals;  Pisidium,  Spheerium ,  Planorbis,   and 

Isopods  in  abundance;  some   Hydrachnids; 

Ancylus  found  attached  to  the  leaves  of  wild 

celery. 
Bottom;  dark,  soft,  marly. 
Plants;    Stout    Naias    (Naias   flexilis    robusta), 

hornwort,    milfoil,   shining   pondweed    (Pot- 

amogeton  liicens),  large-leaved  pondweed   (P. 

amplifolius),  all  green;  Chara,  mostly  brown 

and    dead-looking    but    with    bright  |  green 

shoots. 
Animals;  Iowa   darteis,    various     gastiopods, 

several   crawfishes   and   numeious   leathery 

caddis-cases,  the  latter  elongate  and  attached 

to  weeds. 

3-4 

Many 
hauls. . 

Various 

times 

(Novembei 
and 

December.) 
Winter  of  1904. 

Near  Norris 
Inlet 

Rake 

Bottom;  black,  peaty. 

Plants;  principally  Chara. 

Animals;  gastropods  of  vaiious  sorts — Gonio- 
basis,  Planorbis,  etc.;  fishes — Iowa  darteis, 
mad  toms  (Schilbeoda  gyrinus),  young  cat- 
fishes  (Ameiurus  nebulcsus),  a  few  stickle- 
backs (Eucalia  inconstans),  and  numerous 
young  bluegills  {Lepcmis  pallidus),  about  IH 
to  2  inches  long,  and  crawfishes,  the  animals 
being  all  tangled  up  in  the  weeds. 

5 

14 

Aug.  [I4,'l899 

Near 
Murray's. . 

Dredge 

Plants;  Chara. 

Animals;  2  crawfishes,  1  banded  snail  (Vivi- 
para contectoides),  Bryozoan  [Plumatella 
polymorpha),  2  gastropods. 

10 

Nov._18,'j904 

Off  Depot 
Pier 

Rake 

Plants;  water  marigold  (Megalodonta  beckii), 
green;  Philotria  with  dense  winter  buds,  Cer- 
atophyllum loo.se  (not  compacted  into  winter 
buds).  Small  Potamogeton  amplifoliiis. 

Animals;  Plumatclla  polymorjjha  attached  to 
the  Potamogeton. 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         257 


TABLE  OF   DREDGING  AND  RESULTS— Continued 


Depth 
in  feet 

No.  ot 
haul 

Date 

Locality 

.Vpparatus 

Results 

10 

12 

Aug.   14,  1899 

Bulrushes 
from  off 

Murray's.  . 

Dredge 

Animals;  14  living,  0  dead,  Vhipara  contecloides, 
4  living  Sphariuni,   4  Physa,   2  Planorbis,   5 
long  gastropods    (Goniobasis'),   2  crawfishes, 
2  unios. 

10 

13 

Aug.   14,  1899 

Near 
Murray's .  . 

Dredge 

Animals;  4  crawfishes;  11  V.  contecloides;  6  liv- 
ing gastropods,   2  living  Spharium;   1  young 
living  Phiisa;  1  Iowa  darter. 

10 

33 

Aug.  24,  1899 

Top  of  Sugar- 
loaf  Bar .  .  . 

Dredge 

Plants;  much  vegetation,  weeds,  etc. 
Animals;  many  living  Viripara  and  other  gas- 
tropods. 

12-18 

24 

Aug.   16,  1899 

End  of  Bar 
Buoy 

Dredge 

Plants:  Chara;  much  weed. 

LlO-20 

28 

Aug.  23,  1899 

South  side 
of  Sugar- 
loaf 

Dredge 

Bottom;  some  fine  marl. 

Animals;  11  large  mussels,  5  of  them  alive. 
Haul  chiefly  of  broken  shells,  representing 
all  the  common  species,  V.  contecloides,  long 
black  gastropods,  and  Planorbis  being  very 
common. 

16-14 

Aug.     6,  1900 

South  end  of 
lake  east 
side  of 
Kettlehole. 

Dredge 

Plants;  Potomogeton  and  y'aias. 

Animals;   mud   minnow    (Umbra   limi).    Two 

other    Umbra    were    obtained   a   few   days 

earlier  in  a  similar  place. 

18 

18 

Aug.   15,  1899 

"25-ft.  hole". 

Dredge 

Plants;  much  weed  (Myriophyllum). 
Animals;  a  few  decayed  shells  of  Planorbis  and 
Sph(erium. 

20 

1 

Aug.  14,  1899 

Hole  off 
Gravelpit. 

Dredge 

Bottom;  muil. 
Plants;  weeds. 
Animals;  nothing  living;  a  few  dead  shells. 

20 

7 

Aug.  14,  1899 

Bar  north  of 
85-ft.  hole.. 

Dredge 

Animals;    The  lollowing  shells,  all  dead  and 
more  or  less  deca>ed:    Viiipara  conlectoidis; 
many  Sphcrnum;  Planorbis,  Phyxa;  1  Anodonta. 
Living    animals   6  ret!   worms    (Chironomvs 
larva)  and  1.5  living  Sphwrium. 

26-24 

21 

Aug.   10,  1899 

Flatiron 
bar  buoy .  . 

Dredge 

Bottom;  marl. 

Animals;    1    Unio,   empty   andj  broken   shells 

representing    all     varieties;     numerous    red 

worms;  some  living  Spharium. 

258         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


TABLE  OF   DREDGING   AND   RESULTS— Continued 


Depth 
in  feet 

No.  of 
haul 

Date 

Locality 

Apparatus 

Results 

27-26 

26 

Aug.   16,  1899 

Station 
where  Far- 

rar  line 
crosses  bar. 

Dredge 

Chiefly  broken  shells. 

20-30 

32 

Aug.  24,  1899 

North  side 
of  Sugar- 
loaf  bar 

Dredge 

Bottom:  chiefly  gravel  (rough,  not  rounded), 
ranging  from  stones  the  size  of  hen's  eggs 
down  to  very  small  sand. 

Annuals;  1  red  worm,  some  broken  V.  contec- 
toides,  several  S-pharhim . 

31 

15 

Aug.  14,  1899 

Near  Kettle- 
hole 

Dredge 

Animals;   dead  V.  contectoides,  Spharium    and 
black  sharp  gastropods;  1  living  Spharium. 

35 

11 

Aug.   14,  1899 

Kettlehole. . 

Dredge 

Bottom;  much  mud. 

Plants;  none  living;  a  few  leaves. 

Animals;  a  white  worm;  3  dead  V.  contectoides. 

33-38 

25 

Aug.  16,  1899 

Along  bar 
from  buoy 

Dredge 

Animals;  chiefly  dead  and  broken  shells;  dead 
and  empty  V.  contectoides,  Planorbis,  Physa, 
Sphwrium ,  and  black  sharp  gastropods.  Some 
living  Spharium;  7  red  worms.     No  plants 
but  a  few  bits  of  leaf. 

40 

10 

Aug.  14,  1899 

Kettlehole.. . 

Dredge 

Animals;  dead  shells,  V.  contectoides,  Planorbis, 
and  Physa. 

40-50 

9 

Aug.  14,  1899 

W.  of  85-ft. 
buoy,  off 
Long  Point. 

Dredge          . 

Plants;  none;  several  dead  leaves. 
Animals;  dead  Sphcerium;    1   dead  V.  contect- 
oides; 28  living  Sphitrium;  2  red  worms. 

50 

17 

Aug.   15,  1899 

Channel  in 
front  of 
Arlington 

Dredge 

Plants;  none,  some  dead  oak  leaves. 
Animals;  numerous  Sphcrrium,  some  dead   V. 
contectoides:  4  red  worms. 

60 

8 

Aug.   14,  1899 

W.  of  85-ft. 
buoy 

Dredge 

Plants;  none;  a  few  dead  leaves. 
Animals;  1   dead  gastropod;   1   red  worm;  25 
li\'ing  Sphcerium. 

70-85 

5 

Aug.  14,  1899 

Near  Deep 
Hole 

Dredge 

Plants:  none;  some  black,  dead  leaves. 
Animals;  living  Sphcerium  several;  6  red  worms. 

80-85 

4 

Aug.   14,  1899 

Near  Deep 
Hole 

Dredge 

Animals;  Spharium,  many  dead;  a  few  dead 
V.  contectoides  and  Planorbis;  1  red  worm. 

80-85 

3 

Aug.   14,  1899 

Near  Deep 
Hole 

Dredge 

Animals;  many  dead  Sphcurium.  2  living  ones; 
1  red  worm. 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         259 

Series  of  correlated  haids: — In  addition  to  the  above  tabulated 
hauls,  the  records  of  which  were  selected  out  of  a  large  list  and  so 
arranged  as  to  show  as  far  as  possible  gradually  increasing  depths, 
the  following  table  is  given  of  certain  sets  of  hauls  made  in  series, 
beginning  in  deeper  water  and  gradually  working  toward  shal- 
lower places.  On  account  of  irregularities  of  the  lake  bottom  there 
are,  of  course,  certain  numbers  in  the  series  which  appear  out  of 
place. 

SERIES  I 

The  hauls  of  Series  I  were  made  by  using  drag-hooks  between 
bars  on  a  line  40  rods  north  of  the  center  of  Section  22,  August 
22,  1900. 


Haul 

Depth  in  feet 

Results 

1 

25-22 

Nothing. 

2 

25-24 

A  little  Nitella. 

3 

24-20 

Nitella  and  several  Vivipara  contectoides. 

4 

22-18 

Nitella  abundant;  Vivipara,  especially  young  ones,  abundant. 

5 

18-16 

Some  Nitella;  some  Potamogeton  robbinsii;  a  few   Vii-ipara. 

6 

16-12 

Potamogeton  robbinsii;  P.  rompressus;  Philotria;  Vallisneria  and  a  good  deal  of 
Vivipara. 

7 

10-8 

Chara. 

8                        10-8 

Potamogeton  robbinsii;  Ceratophyllum;  Chara;  few  Vivipara. 

9 

7 

On  a  bar;  marl  bottom;  little  vegetation;  some  short  Chara  anil  a  little  Pota- 
mogeton lucens. 

SERIES  II 

A  second  series  of  dredge-hauls,  made  on  the  same  date  and  in 
the  same  general  locality,  is  represented  by  the  following  table : 


No.    of  haul 

Depth  in 

reet 

Results 

20 

26-22 

A  little  Nitella. 

21 

22-13 

Potamogeton  robbinsii;  Chara;  a  little  Naias;  a  little  Vallisneria;  Virii>ara  con- 
tectoides. 

22 

20-16 

Potamogeton  robbinsii;  P.  lucens;  Philotria;  Vivipara,  2. 

23 

10 

Chara  abundant;  Potamogeton  robbinsii  abundant;  P.  ampltfolius  a  little;  Val- 
lisneria, Myriophyllum,  and  Naias  a  little;  Potamogeton  lucens;  Vivipara  con- 
tectoides several. 

260         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


SERIES  III 


This  table  records  a  series  of  hauls  made  with  a  drag  on  east 
and  west  half  section  line,  section  22,  and  east  of  the  middle  of 
the  same  section  in  water  between  shore  bar  and  lake  bar.  dragging 
toward  the  lake  bar. 


No.  of  haul 

Depth  in  feet 

Results 

1 

25-22 

Mud  bottom,  Nitella  abundant,  covered  with  young  gastropods,  probably 
Vivipara  contectoides:  1  large  T'.  contectoides  and  1  small  bivalve.  No  plants 
except  the  Nitella. 

2 

22-18 

Mud  bottom,  chiefly  Ceratophyllum  and  some  Nitella;  no  other  plants;  several 
moderate  sized  V.  contectoides  and  a  few  small  ones. 

3 

20-18 

Mud  bottom,  Nitella  plentiful,  with  several  plants  of  Ceratophyllum  and  1  of 
Potamogeton;  several  young  gastropods,  some  evidently  V.  contectoides. 

4 

22-19 

Mud  bottom,  chiefly  Ceratophyllum;  a  good  deal  Nitella  and  2  stems  Potamo 
geton  compressw;  plenty  of  V.  contectoides;  1  red  worm. 

5 

18-17 

Chiefly  Ceratophyllum;  some  Nitella;  a  little  Potamogeton  compressus  and  P. 
robbinsii;  V.  contectoides  common. 

6 

17-15 

Ceratophyllum,  abundant;  Potamogeton  sp.,  a  good  deal;  P.  robbinsii,  common; 
Naias,  Philotria  and  Chara,  a  little;  plenty  of  V.  contectoides;  1  red  worm. 

7 

15-14 

Stem  of  Potaynogeton  sp. 

8 

14-12 

Plenty  of  P.  compressus;  some  ValUsneria;  a  little  Myriophyllum;  two  other 
species  of  Potamogeton. 

9 

12 

P.  compressvs,  plentiful;  Naias  flezilis  robusta,  plentiful;  ValUsneria,  little;  P. 
robbinsii,  little;  Myriophyllum,  little. 

10 

12-10 

P.  compressus,  common;  P.  perfoliatus,  few  plants,  in  fruit;  Potamogeton  sp,' 
few. 

11 

10 

Nearly  all  P.  compressus. 

Conditions  Favorable  to  Fish-life 

The  physical  and  biological  conditions  obtaining  at  Lake  Max- 
inkuckee are  favorable  in  an  unusual  degree  to  the  development  of 
fish-life ;  they  are  sufficiently  diversified  to  provide  suitable  environ- 
ments for  species  possessing  widely  diff'erent  habits.  The  lake- 
bed  varies,  in  different  places,  all  the  way  from  soft  black  mud  and 
decaying  vegetation  through  clay,  marl,  fine  sand,  coarse  sand,  and 
fine  gravel  to  coarse  gravel  and  glacial  boulders.  In  the  littoral  the 
bottom,  though  usually  of  hard,  compact  sand  and  gravel,  is,  in 
places,  of  softer  material  or  very  boggy.  The  depth  of  water 
ranges  from  a  few  inches  to  89  feet.  There  is  a  considerable  area 
of  water  exceeding  40  feet  in  depth,  and  there  is  a  very  great  area 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         261 

of  bars  on  which  the  depth  is  20  feet  or  less,  and  these  are  dis- 
tributed about  the  lake  most  advantageously.  The  water  appears 
to  be  of  the  best,  as  to  purity,  clearness,  and  temperature;  it  is 
warm  enough  to  meet  the  needs  of  many  species  which  thrive  in 
warmer  water,  and  cold  enough  for  cold  water  species.  The  only 
important  known  limitation  lies  in  the  absence  of  absorbed  oxygen 
in  the  depths,  which  necessarily  bars  the  lake  to  deepwater  species, 
such  as  the  lake  trout. 

The  biological  environment  appears  to  be  equally  well  adapted 
to  support  a  varied  and  abundant  fish  life.  The  plankton  (both 
holophytic  and  holozoic)  is  adequate  both  in  quantity  and  quality; 
its  composition  seems  almost  ideal,  and  its  distribution  appears 
to  be  that  which  will  meet  the  needs  of  the  fishes  in  the  highest 
measure. 

The  larger  plants  are  also  well  selected  as  to  species  and  abund- 
ance; most  of  them  are  certainly  helpful  in  one  way  or  another. 
Animals  of  various  kinds,  many  of  them  useful  to  fishes  and  few 
of  them  harmful,  are  present.  There  are  many  species  of  mollusks, 
many  of  crustaceans,  and  a  good  number  of  batrachians  and  rep- 
tiles. Aquatic  birds,  as  ducks,  coots  and  grebes,  are  common,  and 
to  be  sure,  not  always  helpful  to  fish-life,  but,  on  the  other  hand, 
not  wholly  harmful.  Natural  enemies  of  fishes  are  not  numerous 
nor  very  destructive.  The  purity  of  the  water  probably  has  much 
to  do  v/ith  keeping  the  fishes  resistant  to  disease. 

Favorable  situations  for  spawning  grounds  are  numerous. 
There  are  reedy  shallows  for  pickerel,  pike,  yellow  perch,  and  the 
like ;  sandy  and  gravelly  areas  near  shore  for  darters,  various  min- 
nows, and  sunfishes  of  various  kinds ;  bars  of  moderate  depth  well 
suited  to  bass,  bluegills,  walleyed  pike  and  yellow  perch;  and  a 
great  range  of  situations  in  which  most  of  the  other  species  find 
conditions  favorable  to  their  eggs  and  young. 

In  the  following  systematic  account  of  the  fishes  of  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee, we  have  endeavored  to  treat  each  species  somewhat  fully, 
so  that  anyone  using  this  report  will  be  able  to  acquire  the  general 
facts  in  its  life  history  and  to  be  able  to  distinguish  the  different 
species,  one  from  another.  A  statement  as  to  the  known  geogra- 
phic distribution  of  each  is  given,  followed  by  remarks  on  its  dis- 
tribution and  habits  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  as  made  known  to  us 
through  our  studies  in  that  region,  and  finally  by  a  relatively  non- 
technical description  which,  it  is  believed,  will  enable  anyone  using 
the  book  to  identify  the  species  occurring  here. 

The  total  number  of  species  of  fishes  known  from  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee and  its  immediately  connecting  waters  is  64.    Of  this  num- 


262         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Smn-ey 

bar,  59  are  known  to  occur  in  the  lake  proper  and  its  small  inlets, 
the  remaining  5  species  being  found  in  Lost  Lake  and  the  outlet 
immediately  below. 

This  is  a  considerably  greater  number  of  species  of  fishes  than 
is  known  from  any  other  small  lake  in  the  world.  For  purposes  of 
comparison,  the  following  figures  are  given : 

There  are  known  from  the  entire  basin  of  the  Great  Lakes 
152  species ;  from  Lake  Ontario,  73 ;  from  the  St.  Lawrence  River 
and  its  tributaries,  71 ;  from  Lake  Champlain  and  tributary  waters, 
54 ;  from  Chautauqua  Lake,  31 ;  from  Cayuga  Lake,  59 ;  from  Tur- 
key Lake,  Indiana,  29;  from  Eagle  Lake,  Indiana,  41;  from  Clear 
Lake,  California,  13 ;  Colorado  River  basin,  32 ;  Klamath  River 
basin,  15. 

The  great  variety  of  fish-life  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  is  due  to  the 
unusual  assemblage  of  favorable  factors,  constituting  an  environ- 
ment, both  physical  and  biological,  that  conduces  in  a  remarkable 
degree  to  the  development  of  a  varied  aquatic  fauna. 

The  64  species  of  fishes  known  to  inhabit  this  lake  are  distrib- 
uted among  15  families  and  41  genera.  There  are  representatives 
of  nearly  all  the  families  of  American  freshwater  food-fishes — only 
the  salmon,  sturgeon,  mooneye,  grayling,  dallia,  blindfish,  pirate- 
perch,  trout-perch,  and  sculpin  families  being  unrepresented.  And 
nearly  all  those  families  containing  species  which  are  useful  as  food 
for  the  food-fishes  have  numerous  representatives  here.  The  fami- 
lies having  large  representation  are  the  Cyprinidse  (minnows)  with 
17  species,  the  Centrarchidse  (basses  and  sunfishes)  with  11  species ; 
the  Silurid^e  (catfishes)  with  4  species;  the  Catostomidse  (suckers) 
with  5  species;  and  the  Percid?e  (perches  and  darters)  with  13 
species. 

Of  the  64  species  inhabiting  the  lake  at  least  30  may  be  re- 
garded as  food-fishes  of  greater  or  less  importance.  The  most  im- 
portant of  these  are  the  two  species  of  black  bass,  the  yellow  perch, 
the  bluegill  and  the  walleyed  pike.  And  at  least  16  species  are  re- 
garded as  game  fishes  of  greater  or  less  interest.  Among  these 
are  the  small-mouth  black  bass,  the  large-mouth  black  bass,  wall- 
eyed pike,  bluegill,  crappie,  yellow  perch,  rock  bass,  and  pike. 

Fishes  in  this  lake  are  not  only  unusually  numerous  as  to 
species,  but  equally  so  as  to  individuals.  Many  of  the  species  are 
found  in  very  great  abundance,  some  of  them  swarming  in  myri- 
ads. Even  the  game  fishes  are  usually  abundant.  This  is  par- 
ticularly true  of  the  yellow  perch,  bluegill  and  the  basses.  When 
one  considers  the  vast  amount  of  fishing  that  is  done  at  this  lake, 
it  is  little  less  than  marvelous  that  the  supply  keeps  up  so  well 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         263 

as  it  does.  The  plantings  made  from  time  to  time  by  the  Bureau 
of  Fisheries  doubtless  contribute  in  great  measure  to  the  mainte- 
nance of  this  satisfactory  condition;  nevertheless,  the  conditions 
for  natural  reproduction  must  be  exceptionally  favorable. 

Of  the  64  species  of  fishes  inhabiting  this  lake,  at  least  29  are 
used  more  or  less  for  food  and  may  therefore  be  properly  regarded 
as  food-fishes.  Named  approximately  in  the  order  of  their  import- 
ance as  food,  they  are  the  following:  Yellow  perch,  bluegill,  rock 
bass,  straw  bass,  small-mouth  black  bass,  walleyed  pike,  calico  bass, 
common  sunfish,  crappie,  long-eared  sunfish,  warmouth,  red-eared 
sunfish,  pickerel,  pike,  eel,  white  sucker,  redhorse,  black  sucker, 
chub  sucker,  carp,  common  bullhead,  yellow  bullhead,  black  bull- 
head, dogfish,  river  chub,  creek  chub,  silverside,  buff"alo  and  spoon- 
bill cat. 

Col.  Daniel  McDonald,  in  his  interesting  "History^  of  Lake  Max- 
inkuckee," states  that  little  or  no  attention  was  given  to  the  fish  of 
the  lake  by  the  early  settlers  until  about  1840.  "There  are  yet 
living  in  Marshall  County  a  few  of  those  who  as  boys  fished  with 
their  fathers  in  those  early  times,  and  the  stories  they  tell  of  the 
schools  of  fish  to  be  seen  and  the  quantities  caught  are  enough  to 
make  the  modern  fisherman  green  with  envy.  With  fish  poles  cut 
from  the  grubs,  homemade  linen  lines,  and  hooks  of  antique  make, 
a  couple  of  farmers  would  man  a  canoe,  paddle  to  the  first  bar,  and 
with  worms  and  grubs  for  bait,  an  evening's  fishing  would  bring 
in  a  bushel  of  as  fine  fish  as  ever  swam  in  lake  or  river.  It  was  not 
many  months  before  a  longer,  a  trolling  line,  with  bucktail  bait, 
was  used,  and  a  pull  across  the  lake  was  all  that  was  needed  to  fur- 
nish a  small  neighborhood  with  a  hearty  fish  meal." 

That  this  lake  was  early  known  to  the  Indians  and  resorted  to 
by  them  on  account  of  the  abundance  of  its  fishes,  is  well  known. 
The  Indian  villages  on  its  shores  and  in  its  vicinity  were  among  the 
most  populous  in  northern  Indiana,  and  they  depended  in  large 
measure  on  this  and  neighboring  lakes  for  their  supply  of  food. 

FISHING  AND  FISH  PROTECTION 

In  the  early  days  the  methods  of  fishing  were  primitive  and 
had  as  their  sole  object  the  taking  of  fish  for  food.  The  spirit 
of  the  meek  and  honest  Isaak  Walton  had  not  as  yet  penetrated 
any  of  those  sturdy  pioneers ;  they  had  other  more  important, 
more  serious  things  to  do.  They  caught  fish  only  when  needed 
as   food.      They   caught   them    in    their    own    way    and    in    such 

*  History  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee,   by  Daniel    McDonald       Indianapolis,    1905. 


264         Lake  Maxmkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

quantities  as  the  condition  of  the  larder  in  their  cabins  de- 
manded. It  was  purely  a  matter  of  food  supply  with  them. 
Forunately  for  us,  as  well  as  for  them,  fish  were  abundant  and 
the  supply  was  not  easily  exhausted.  Little  or  no  thought  was 
given  to  methods  of  fishing  except  as  related  to  immediate, 
tangible  results.  There  was  no  apparent  danger  of  depleting  the 
supply;  fish  were  abundant  and,  it  seemed,  would  always  remain 
so.  That  a  time  would  ever  come  when  the  fish  would  need  pro- 
tection probably  never  occurred  to  any  one;  the  fish  protection 
idea  was  of  later  birth. 

According  to  Mr.  McDonald,  spearing  fish  at  night  very  early 
became  a  favorite  method  of  fishing  and  "if  the  occupants  of  a 
boat  got  less  than  a  hundred  pounds  of  fish  during  a  night  they 
considered  themselves  in  bad  luck." 

A  little  later,  between  1850  and  1860,  the  use  of  seines  be- 
came common  and  great  quantities  of  fish  of  various  kinds  were 
caught  each  year  in  this  way. 

The  sentiment  favoring  the  protection  of  the  fish  of  the  lake 
has  developed  slowly,  but  it  has  developed.  It  has  developed  not 
only  in  the  minds  of  the  regular  summer  cottagers,  but  it  has  grown 
also  in  the  minds  of  the  casual  visitors,  the  farmers  roundabout 
and  the  local  villagers.  There  are  some  exceptions  to  be  found  in 
each  of  these  classes,  perhaps  as  numerous  in  one  as  in  another, 
while  willful  law  breakers  are  rare;  those  who  do  all  the  destruc- 
tion they  can  under  a  liberal  interpretation  of  the  law,  are  more 
numerous.  On  the  whole,  however,  the  law  is  well  respected  and 
the  attitude  of  the  people  toward  fish  protection  is  wholesome. 

ANGLING 

According  to  Mr.  McDonald,  "it  was  not  until  in  the  '60's 
that  the  sporting  fraternity — the  fishermen  with  rod,  reel  and 
line — began  to  visit  Lake  Maxincuckee.  By  that  time  a  few 
fairly  comfortable  row  boats  had  been  put  on  the  lake  and  a  small 
visiting  party  could  find  accommodation  for  a  day  or  two  with 
some  of  the  farmers  near  by,  and  the  fame  of  the  lake  as  a  fisher- 
man's paradise  began  to  spread  abroad.  The  completion  of  the 
I.  P.  &  C.  Railroad  (now  the  Lake  Erie  &  Western)  brought  the 
cities  along  its  line  within  eight  miles  of  the  lake,  and  parties  from 
Rochester,  Peru  and  Logansport  began  to  camp  upon  its  shores, 
and  their  white  tents  could  be  seen  all  through  the  fishing  sea- 
sons beneath  the  shady  groves  of  Long  Point,  Edwards'  Landing 
and  Peebles's  Point.     And  after  the  completion  of  the  Vandalia 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         265 

Railroad  to  South  Bend  the  Terre  Haute  people  came  in  goodly 
numbers.  The  good  qualities  of  the  lake  were  first  made  known 
to  the  Indianapolis  people  by  Hon.  Martin  H.  Rice,  who  had  known 
the  lake  since  1855,  and  when  the  railroad  was  completed  the  fish- 
ermen from  the  capital  city  came  up,  first  singly,  then  by  twos 
and  threes,  and  finally  by  the  dozen,  to  try  their  luck  in  the  clear 
waters  of  our  beautiful  lake.  They  found  good  quarters  at  the 
Allegheny  House,  and  they  brought  along  their  finest  fishing  tackle, 
their  well-tried  fly  rods,  their  Frankfort  reels,  and  the  most  ap- 
proved artificial  baits,  and  they  all  caught  fish — all  kinds  of  fish — 
and  enough  to  make  a  goodly  show  in  their  fish  baskets,  and  nearly 
every  man  of  them  had  a  bundle  of  smashed  fishing  tackle  to  take 
home  to  prove  the  truth  of  his  story  of  the  big  fish  he  had  hooked, 
but  which  got  away.  And  the  men  from  these  cities  came  again 
and  again,  and  they  caught  something  besides  the  fishes;  they 
caught  a  vision  of  the  glory  of  the  lake,  with  its  clear  waters,  its 
tree-lined  shores,  its  wooded  bluffs,  its  clean  sandy  beaches  over 
which  gurgled  the  cool  waters  of  its  crystal  springs,  and  the  vision 
went  with  them  to  their  homes,  to  their  business  rooms,  and  it 
would  not  depart,  and  they  began  to  long  for  a  portion  of  bluff,  of 


^■.U  .»v:--J':^i- 


The   charm   of   Maxinkuckee   rests   jiaitly   on    its    brilliant    water   above   a   clean    gravel    floor, 
and   partly   on    the   elevated   shore   line   covered   with    grass   and   grove   down    to   the   water   edge. 


266         Lake  Maxmkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

shore  or  beach,  where  they  might  abide  for  days  or  months  and 
take  into  their  souls  all  the  beauties  that  vision  had  revealed  to 
them,  and  shortly  after  they  became  possessors  of  jutting  points, 
of  stretches  of  beach,  of  tracts  of  wooded  shores,  of  acres  of  the 
shady  bluffs,  and  there  they  built  the  row  of  artistic  cottages  that 
now  encircle  the  lake  like  rich  tinted  gems  set  around  a  luminous 
pearl." 

And  thus  the  angler  has  come  more  and  more  in  evidence  as  the 
years  have  passed.  At  first  the  fishing  was  done  wholly  with  live 
bait.  The  usual  method — still  largely  in  vogue  among  the  farm- 
ers of  the  region — was  by  means  of  the  long  cane  pole  and  angle- 
worms, grubs,  grasshoppers,  mussels,  or  cut  fish  for  bait.  Min- 
nows and  artificial  lures  were  not  popular  nor  much  appreciated. 
Later,  a  greater  refinement  of  method  gradually  developed. 
Jointed  split  bamboo,  lancewood  and  Bristol  steel  rods  came  into 
use,  the  lightness  and  cost  of  the  rod  varying  with  the  experience, 
skill  and  professional  pride  of  the  angler.  The  grasshopper  has 
continued  a  favorite  for  summer  fishing  and  it  is  likely  to  ever  so 
remain.  The  live  minnow  has  grown  in  use  and  is  now  indis- 
pensible  to  fall  fishing.  Artificial  lures  of  various  kinds  have  come 
into  use,  some  to  be  discarded,  others  as  the  frog  and  the  Dowagiac, 
to  remain  in  favor. 

A  brief  description  of  these  various  methods  of  angling  will,  it 
is  believed,  prove  of  interest  and  value. 

The  long  cane  "pole: — This  primitive  and  very  efi"ective  method 
is  still  popular  and  will  doubtless  remain  so.  A  good  long  stem 
of  the  giant  cane  {Arundinaria  macrosperma)  is  selected.  The 
length  may  vary  from  10  to  25  feet.  The  longer  the  pole  the  bet- 
ter, as  the  areas  over  which  one  may  fish  vary  as  the  squares  of 
lengths  of  the  poles.  The  devotees  of  this  method  of  fishing  usually 
go  out  in  pairs  and  each  with  two  poles.  One  fishes  from  the  bow 
of  the  boat,  the  other  from  the  stern.  The  line  used  is  as  long  as 
can  be  properly  handled  without  the  use  of  a  reel,  and  thus  the 
fisherman  is  able  to  reach  water  30  to  50  feet  distant  on  either  side, 
in  front,  or  behind.  He  whips  first  on  one  side  and  then  on  the 
other  until  the  fish  are  found  when  he  anchors  and  settles  dowai  to 
steady  fishing.  A  cork  or  wooden  float  is  almost  invariably  used 
and  it  is  adjusted  from  time  to  time  to  suit  the  depth  of  water. 
The  line  is  usually  inexpensive.  The  bait  used  consists  chiefly 
of  angleworms,  cut  bait  and  grasshoppers.  Angleworms  (and 
grubs  when  they  can  be  had)  are  always  popular.  From  early 
spring  until  midsummer  they  are  the  chief  bait.     In  July,  when 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         267 

grasshoppers  appear,  they  largely  take  the  place  of  worms  and  con- 
tinue to  be  the  principal  bait  until  fall  when  they  can  not  be 
easily  obtained.  Cut  bait  is  always  resorted  to  when  other  kinds 
fail,  and  by  some  is  even  preferred.  Various  species  of  fishes, 
mussels  and  even  meat  are  utilized.  Sometimes  a  stringer  is  used 
on  which  to  keep  the  catch,  but  usually  a  gunny  sack  is  preferred. 
The  sack,  securely  fastened  to  the  boat,  is  allowed  to  hang  in  the 
water,  by  which  method  the  fish  are  kept  alive  and  in  excellent 
condition. 

The  species  most  often  caught  are  bluegills,  yellow  perch,  rock 
bass,  calico  bass  and  catfish,  though  an  occasional  bass  or  wall- 
eyed pike  is  taken.  A  hundred  fish  to  the  boat  is  not  an  un- 
usual catch. 

This  method  is  very  effective  and,  on  occasion,  appeals  to  many 
an  angler  who  usually  uses  more  expensive  tackle. 

Trolling: — Trolling  has  long  been,  and  still  is,  a  popular  method 
of  fishing.  It  can  be  practiced  any  time  in  the  year  when  the  ice 
is  ofi"  the  lake,  and  it  seems  to  be  about  equally  effective  at  all  times. 
The  rod  used  varies  from  a  short  stiff  cane  pole  to  a  high-priced 
split  bamboo.  The  line  is  usually  of  better  quality  than  that  used 
by  the  long  cane  fisherman.  It  may  vary  in  length  from  50  to  200 
feet.  Among  the  popular  lures  are  the  Hildebrandt  spinner,  the 
Skinner  fluted  spoon,  and  other  spoons,  phantom  minnows,  and  the 
Hke.  Perhaps  the  most  effective  is  the  Hildebrandt  spinner.  When 
this  method  is  employed  the  angler  usually  throws  out  his  line  im- 
mediately after  putting  out  from  shore  and  free  of  weeds,  and 
then  rows  slowly  to  some  favorite  bar  across  or  along  the  edge  of 
which  he  will  carefully  row,  doubling  and  recrossing  as  occasion 
requires. 

The  species  most  often  caught  are  the  straw  bass,  small-mouth 
bass  and  the  walleyed  pike  in  the  order  named.  Now  and  then 
a  rock  bass,  calico  bass  or  yellow  perch  is  taken.  The  straw  bass, 
however,  is,  above  all,  the  species  most  frequently  caught  by 
trolling. 

Bait-casting: — This  method  has  grown  in  popularity  greatly 
during  the  last  few  years,  whereas  it  was  little  practiced  10  years 
ago.  A  short  rod,  either  of  split  bamboo,  steel  or  lance  wood,  3^ 
to  6  feet  long,  and  a  good  60-yard  quadruple  reel,  with  50  yards 
of  light,  flat  raw  silk  line,  of  10  to  14  pounds  tension,  together  with 
surface  artificial  lures  such  as  the  Dowagiac,  pork  rind,  or  pork 
chunk  with  weedless  hooks  or  frog,  constitute  the  proper  outfit. 
Sometimes  live  frogs  are  used  and  with  commendable  success. 


268         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

The  boat  is  slowly  rowed  over  what  is  thought  to  be  likely 
water,  the  angler  casting  the  meanwhile,  on  either  side  or  from 
the  bow,  50  to  75  feet,  depending  upon  the  skill  he  happens  to  pos- 
sess in  the  art.  Many  of  those  who  come  to  the  lake  are  quite 
successful  and  easily  reach  the  lawful  limit.  The  species  taken  are 
large-mouth  bass,  small-mouth  black  bass,  and  walleyed  pike.  Oc- 
casionally two  bass  or  a  bass  and  a  walleyed  pike  are  taken  at  one 
cast. 

A  favorite  and  usually  successful  method  practiced  by  those  who 
are  seeking  large-mouth  bass  is  to  row  slowly  late  in  the  evening 
or  very  early  in  the  morning  along  near  the  shore  and  cast  into 
the  edges  of  the  patches  of  weeds. 

Fly-casting: — Not  many  fly  fishermen  come  to  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee and  not  much  fly  casting  is  seen  there.  Those  who  do  come 
use  a  9  to  10-foot  rod,  and  a  very  light  oiled  or  Japan  waxed  silk 
line  of  10  to  14-pounds  tension.  The  small-mouth  bass  is  the 
species  usually  taken ;  rarely  a  large-mouth  bass  or  a  walleyed  pike 
is  secured.  But  several  other  species  will  rise  to  the  fly  on  occa- 
sion; among  them  may  be  mentioned  the  rock  bass,  yellow  perch, 
pumpkinseed,  bluegill,  calico  bass,  crappie,  and  the  warmouth  bass. 

Baits  and  lures: — The  baits  and  lures  used  by  the  fishermen  who 
visit  this  lake  have  a  very  wide  range.  They  include,  among  live 
bait,  minnows,  frogs,  grasshoppers,  crickets,  grubs,  angleworms; 
among  cut  bait,  mussels,  meat,  cut  fish,  crawfish,  etc. ;  and  among 
artificial  lures,  Dowagiacs  of  all  patterns,  Hildebrandt  spinners, 
Skinner  fluted  spoons,  buck  tail,  squirrel  tail,  pork  rind,  pork  chunk, 
and  doubtless  others. 

Beginning  in  the  spring  live  minnows  are  used.  The  principal 
bait  minnows  are  the  following:  creek  chub,  river  chub,  blunt- 
nosed  minnow,  Storer's  chub,  common  shiner,  silverside,  young 
goldfish,  mud  minnow,  straw-colored  minnow,  grayback  minnow, 
mad  tom,  darters  of  various  kinds,  and  various  other  small  fishes. 
For  large  bass  and  walleyed  pike,  creek  and  river  chubs  of  moder- 
ate size  are  preferred;  for  smaller  bass  any  of  the  other  species 
mentioned  are  good;  and  for  bluegills,  rock  bass  and  perch,  small 
minnows  of  almost  any  kind  are  suitable  if  not  too  large.  The 
value  of  any  particular  kind  of  minnow  depends  largely  upon  its 
ability  to  live  on  the  hook;  if  the  minnow  is  delicate  and  dies 
promptly,  it  is  not  of  great  value,  however  attractive  it  may  other- 
wise be.  For  this  reason  the  common  mud  minnow  ( Umhra  limi) 
is  popular.  Its  dark,  somber  color,  however,  prevents  it  from 
being  very  attractive  to  bass  and  walleyed  pike.     The  mad  tom 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         269 

and  other  small  catfish,  so  popular  with  bass  fishermen  on  the 
Susquehanna  River,  are  not  much  used  at  this  lake. 

Unfortunately  good  bait  minnows  are  not  abundant  in  the 
streams  about  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  The  nearest  streams  from 
which  good  minnows  can  be  obtained  are  the  Yellow  River,  about 
two  or  three  miles  north  of  the  lake,  and  the  Tippecanoe  River  at 
Belong,  four  miles  south.  Most  of  the  minnows  used  at  the  lake 
come  from  a  distance,  mostly  from  Bachelors  Run,  Wild  Cat  Creek, 
and  Deer  Creek  in  Carroll  County,  and  from  the  Wabash  River  and 
small  creeks  near  Logan  sport.  Many  of  the  anglers  who  come  to 
the  lake  for  a  few  days'  fishing  bring  a  bucket  of  live  minnows 
with  them. 

Minnows  will  be  used  in  the  spring  and  early  summer  until  the 
water  becomes  so  warm  that  they  will  not  keep  well;  then  they 
give  way  to  grasshoppers  which  constitute  the  principal  live  bait 
from  the  middle  of  July  until  in  September  or  the  first  frosts, 
after  which  they  can  no  longer  be  found  in  any  abundance.  As 
soon  as  grasshoppers  become  scarce  and  the  water  becomes  cool, 
minnows  again  become  popular  and  continue  so  throughout  the 
late  fall  and  winter.  After  the  temperature  of  the  lake  water  gets 
down  to  45°  most  any  of  the  minnows  can  be  kept  alive  in  minnow 
buckets  all  winter. 

Grasshoppers  become  popular  as  a  bait  just  as  soon  as  they 
are  abundant  enough  to  be  caught  in  any  numbers.  At  Lake  Max- 
inkuckee this  happens  in  the  first  half  of  July,  and  they  continue 
in  demand  as  long  as  they  can  be  obtained.  About  the  last  of 
September,  after  a  few  good  frosts  have  come,  grasshoppers  dis- 
appear. Most  of  the  grasshoppers  used  at  this  lake  belong  to  one 
or  the  other  of  two  species,  Melanophis  differentialis  and  Melanop- 
lus  bivittatus,  more  of  the  former  than  of  the  latter.  Both  species 
are  abundant  in  the  meadows  and  fields  about  the  lake,  particu- 
larly on  the  west  and  south.  In  1898,  a  boy  living  2^  miles  south 
of  the  lake  sold  $25  worth  of  grasshoppers  to  anglers  about  the 
lake,  and  in  1899,  $43.35  worth.  He  charged  only  5  cents  a  dozen. 
Several  other  boys  supplied  grasshoppers  more  or  less  regularly 
during  the  season,  and  the  total  amount  of  money  received  by  them 
per  season  for  hoppers  has  been  conservatively  estimated  at  $200, 
which  would  represent  4,000  dozen  grasshoppers.  Perhaps  another 
1,000  dozen  were  caught  by  the  fishermen  themselves,  thus  mak- 
ing the  total  number  used  each  season  at  the  lake  not  fewer  than 
5,000  dozen  or  60,000  grasshoppers. 

Considerable  numbers  of  ivhite  griibs  also  are  used.     In  1899, 


270         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

the  grasshopper  boy  sold  140  dozen  white  grubs  at  5  cents  a  dozen, 
or  $7.00.  The  grubs  are  a  very  kilHng  bait  as  long  as  they  last 
for  any  fish  with  mouth  large  enough  to  take  them.  Of  all  species 
perhaps  the  rock  bass  is  the  one  that  likes  them  best. 

Angleworms  are  always  in  demand  and  can  usually  be  depended 
on  to  appeal  strongly  to  rock  bass,  crappie,  calico  bass,  yellow  perch 
and  bluegills ;  and,  when  properly  impaled,  they  are  not  without 
attraction  to  bass  and  walleyed  pike.  Perhaps  they  possess  the 
greatest  charm  to  the  goggle-eye  and  yellow  perch,  and  it  is  a  poor 
angler,  indeed,  who,  when  armed  with  a  liberal  supply  of  angle- 
worms, can  not  reach  the  lawful  limit  of  these  species.  Fortu- 
nately for  the  fish,  the  region  about  Lake  Maxinkuckee  is  entirely 
too  sandy  for  angleworms,  and  those  who  wish  to  use  this  old 
familiar  bait  must  bring  them  from  other  more  favored  localities. 

Frogs  are  not  much  used  for  bait  at  this  lake.  Small  examples 
of  the  common  leopard  frog  (Rana  pipiens),  and  the  little  cricket 
frog  (Acris  gryllus) ,  are  the  species  most  used.  At  times  good 
catches  of  straw  bass  have  been  made  with  these  by  casting  along 
the  edges  of  patches  of  Scirpus  or  lily-pads,  particularly  in  Lost 
Lake.  In  the  fall  of  the  year  when  it  is  a  little  too  cold  for  grass- 
hoppers and  a  little  too  Vv^arm  for  minnows,  black  crickets  (Gryllus 
abbreviatus)  are  sometimes  used  with  good  results.  These  crick- 
ets can  be  had  late  in  the  fall  after  grasshoppers  have  practically 
disappeared.  Favorite  places  to  find  them  are  in  tiles  lying  on  the 
ground  or  under  pieces  of  old  canvas  or  tarpaulin  lying  spread  out 
on  the  ground.  By  examining  such  situations  early  in  the  morning 
large  numbers  may  often  be  found.  Crickets  are  most  attractive 
to  bluegills  and  goggle-eyes. 

Of  the  various  kinds  of  cut  bait  cut  fish  is  probably  most  used 
and  most  popular,  as  well  as  most  easily  obtained.  An  eye,  a 
pectoral  fin,  or  a  piece  of  flesh  of  a  yellow  perch,  is  quite  attractive 
to  goggle-eyes,  yellow  perch  and  sometimes,  to  bluegills ;  occasion- 
ally good  catches  of  crappie,  calico  bass,  and  even  small-mouth 
bass  can  be  made  with  this  sort  of  bait. 

Mussels  or  freshwater  clams  are  not  much  used  except  by  the 
long  cane  pole  fishermen  who  are  after  goggle-eyes,  bluegills  and 
yellow  perch.     The  "foot"  is  the  part  of  the  mussel  generally  used. 

Crawfish  are  frequently  used  for  bait.  Small  soft  ones  are 
often  used  whole;  larger  ones  are  cut  up  and  only  the  fleshy  part 
of  the  tail  made  use  of.  This  sort  of  bait  is  of  course  used  only 
in  still  fishing. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         271 

Of  artificial  lures  the  kinds  are  many  and  diverse  that  one  may 
see  about  the  lake.  Among  a  few  of  the  more  popular  are  the 
Hildebrandt  baits  of  various  kinds,  particularly  the  double  tandem 
and  single  spinners,  Skinner's  new  casting  spoon  No.  2,  various 
weedless  hooks  such  as  Bing's,  Mayer's,  Maloney's,  Hasting's  and 
McCurdy's,  buck  tails,  reverse  double-blade  spinners,  vacuum  bass- 
baits,  moonlight  floating  bait,  weedless  porkers,  Hedden's  surface 
and  minnow  baits,  and  Dowagiacs  of  various  patterns.  All  these 
and  many  others  are  more  or  less  popular.  Aberdeen  hooks,  Ken- 
dall sneck,  Cincinnati  bass,  sproat  and  Pennell,  are  popular.  No.  4 
for  bluegills,  yellow  perch,  redeyes  and  crappie,  and  Nos.  1  to  4/0 
for  bass  and  walleyed  pike. 

Reels  of  many  kinds  are  in  use,  and  rods  of  many  styles  from 
the  long  cane  pole  to  the  most  expensive  split  bamboo  and  lance- 
wood  and  green  heart ;  an  8 J-f oot  rod  for  bass,  7^-f oot  for  walleyed 
pike  and  10-foot  No.  4  for  bluegills  and  perch. 

LAKE  MAXINKUCKEE  AS  AN  ANGLING  RESORT 

No  very  close  estimate  can  be  made  of  the  number  of  anglers 
who  visit  Lake  Maxinkuckee  annually,  or  of  the  quantity  of  fish  of 
each  species  annually  taken  from  the  lake.  There  are  now  about 
the  lake  about  175  summer  cottages.  Each  of  these  is  occupied  from 
two  to  five  months  each  season.  There  will  probably  be  at  least  one 
person  at  each  cottage  who  does  more  or  less  fishing.  Then  a  great 
many  more  come  and  spend  from  one  to  several  days  fishing.  In  the 
spring,  and  more  particularly  in  the  fall,  farmers  and  farmers' 
boys  from  the  surrounding  country  make  frequent  fishing  trips 
to  the  lake.  Then  many  of  the  permanent  residents  about  the 
lake  and  in  the  town  of  Culver  do  more  or  less  fishing  throughout 
the  year.  It  is  believed  that  2,000  is  a  conservative  estimate  of 
the  number  of  people  who  fish  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  for  an  aver- 
age of  twenty  days  each  year,  and  that  the  average  daily  catch 
is  five  fish  for  each  person.  This  would  make  an  annual  catch 
of  200,000  fish.  Putting  the  average  weight  at  one  pound,  this 
would  make  the  annual  catch  200,000  pounds.  The  species  caught, 
in  order  of  number,  are  yellow  perch,  bluegill,  rock  bass,  straw 
bass,  black  bass,  and  walleyed  pike.  Considered  by  weight  the 
order  would  be  straw  bass,  bluegill,  walleyed  pike,  rock  bass,  yellow 
perch,  and  black  bass. 

The  following  table  will  give  some  idea  of  the  angling  possibil- 
ities at  this  lake. 


18—17618 


272         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

FISH  BY  SPECIES  AND  NUMBER  CAUGHT  BY  ONE  ANGLER  AT  LAKE  MAXINKUCKEE 


Date 
1899 

Small- 
mouth 
Black 
Bass 

Large- 
mouth 
Black 
Bass 

Rock 
Bass 

Bluegill 

Walleyed 
Pike 

Yellow 
Perch 

Catfish 

Remarks 

Aug. 
18 

1 
3 
2 
4 
5 
2 
2 
1 
6 
1 

24 
12 
20 

9 
12 

3 

3 

10 
12 

8 

14 

12 

6 

Grasshoppers    and 

19 

minnows  were  used 

21 

4 

1 

1 

as  bait  up  to  Sept. 

23 

30.    After  then  min- 

25 

nows   alone   were 

26 

2 

1 
2 
2 

used. 

27 

28 

2 

1 

30 

1 

31 

Sept. 
1 

1 
1 

2 

3 

2 
1 

5 

1 

1 

12 

6 
2 
2 

15 

4 
4 
3 
1 

5 

2 
2 
4 
1 

17 

18 

21 

6 
5 
2 

4 
3 
1 

22 

1 

10 
1 

24 

1 

Date 

1899 

Small- 
mouth 
Black 
Bass 

Large- 
mouth 
Black 
Bass 

Rock 
Bass 

Bluegill 

Walleyed 
Pike 

Yellow 
Perch 

Catfish 

Calico 
Bass 

Remarks 

Oct. 
1 

3 
6 

1 
2 

5 

7 

2 

1 
6 
2 
6 
4 
1 

8 

1 

9 

1 

12 

14 

15 

3 

1 

4 
6 

7 

10 
1 

7 

These 

16 

thirty-six 

17 

walleyed 

18 

2 
3 

pike 

19 

weighed 

20 

100  pounds. 

22 

23 

1 
1 
1 
1 
2 

24 

25 

26 

30 

1 

1 

Nov 
5 

7 

1 

9 

7 

10 

1 

1 

12 
13 

14 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         273 

FISH  BY  SPECIES  AND  NUMBER  CAUGHT  BY  ONE  ANGLER  AT  LAKE  MAXINKUCKEE— 

Continued 


Date 
1899 

Small- 
mouth 
Black 
Bass 

Large- 
mouth 
Black 
Bass 

Rock 
Bass 

Bluegill 

Walleyed 
Pike 

Yellow 
Perch 

Catfish 

Calico 
Bass 

Remarks 

Nov. 
15 

10 
4 
2 

12 
1 

1 

16 

2 
5 
1 
2 
1 

17 

18 

2 

20 

99 

9 

1900 

Jan. 

,3 

55 

4 

3 

9 
16 
15 

4 

2 

4 

24 

36  lbs. 

11 

2 

4 

5 

9 

3 

8 

12 

8 
1 
9 
3 

5 

5 

2 

6 

2 

7 

1 

13 

1 

14 

2 
3 

15 

Feb. 
6 

7 

2 
1 
6 

9 

1 

9 

10 



3 

6 

10 

3 

2 

1 

11 

9 
1 

23 

April 

22 

27 

29 

2 
3 

May 

4 

6 

12 

3 

2 

5 
3 

4 

5 

2 

16 

1 
9 

3 

4 

0 

3 
1 

1 
1 
1 

13 

July 

10 

1 

11 

12 

1 
1 
1 

2 

19 

1 

2 

22 

23 

25 

98 

200 

66 

166 

64 

160 

2 

16 

274         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Some  idea  can  be  gotten  of  the  amount  of  fishing  at  Lake 
Maxinkuckee  by  noting  the  number  of  anglers'  boats  observed  on 
the  lake  from  day  to  day.  A  few  records  of  this  kind  were  made 
and  they  are  here  summarized  in  the  following  table: 


A.  M. 

P.  M. 

Date 

Sky 

Lake  surface 

No.  of  boats 

Sky                Lake  surface 

No.  of  boats 

July 
14 
15 

Cloudy 

Rain 

Choppy 

Rough 

Choppy 

Smooth 

Smooth 

Smooth 

Smooth 

Smooth 

Rough         .... 

33 

2 
12 
15 
13 
11 

6 

7 

6 

8 
17 
20 
12 

3 

3 
11 

5 
14 

1 
7 

21 

18 
Few 
Few 

7 

Cloudy 

Rain 

Cloudy 

Fair 

Fair 

Fair 

Rough 

Rough 

Choppy 

Rough 

Very  smooth.  . 

Choppy 

Rough 

Smooth 

Rough 

Rough 

Smooth 

Rough 

Choppy 

Choppy 

Smooth 

Smooth 

Rough 

Smooth 

Rough  

18 

17 

16 
17 

Partly  cloudy.. 
Fail     

15 
17 

IS 

Fair    

9 

19 

Fair 

9 

20 

Fair     

Fair 

Fair 

Fair 

Fair 

Fair    

5 

21 
99 

Fair,  east  wind 
Fair,  east  wind 
Fair    

5 
11 

23 

Rough 

Choppy 

Smooth 

Choppy 

Smooth 

Rough 

Smooth 

Smooth 

Smooth 

Very  rough. . . . 
Smooth 

Smooth 

Rough 

Rough 

Smooth 

Rough 

5 

24 

Fair          .    . 

11 

25 
26 

Rain 

Fair 

Fair 

Fair 

Fair 

Cloudy 

Fair 

12 
7 

27 
28 
29 

Fair 

Rain 

Fair 

5 

7 

13 

30 

Fair     

7 

31 

August 
1 

Fair 

Rain 

Fair 

Partly  cloudy 

then  fair 

Partly  cloudy. 

Cloudy 

Clear 

Clear 

Partly  cloudy. 

Cloudy 

Fair 

Fair 

Fair     

Fair 

Fair 

Fair 

Fair 

3 

2 
3 

4 

Choppy 

Smooth 

5 

7 

5 

6 

7 
8 

Clear 

Cloudy 

Partly  cloudy. 

Rain 

Fair 

Fair 

Fair 

Cloudy 

Partly  cloudy. 

Smooth 

Rough 

Rough 

Rough 

Choppy 

Rough 

Choppy 

Rough 

7 
5 
3 

9 
10 
11 
12 

Rough 

Choppy 

Smooth 

Smooth 

Rough 

4 
9 
7 
9 
5 

11 
16 
20 
18 
20 
Few 

Good  many 
Good  many 

15 
12 
11 
15 

13 

Fair 

3 

July 
17 

Smooth 

18 

18 

19 

13 

20 

13 

21 

11 

21 

August 
10 

15 

Rain 

18 



7 

28 

11 

September 
3 

15 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         275 

Ice- fishing: — One  of  the  most  interesting-  methods  of  fishing 
practiced  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  is  that  known  as  ice  fishing,  or 
fishing  through  the  ice.  A  rather  careful  study  was  made  of  this 
method  during  the  winter  of  1900-1901,  and  a  large  amount  of  in- 
teresting and  valuable  data  secured. 

The  apparatus  and  the  method  may  be  described  as  follows: 

The  apparatus  consists  of  a  small  stick  about  15  inches  long, 
I  inch  thick,  2  inches  wide  at  the  reel  end  and  tapering  to  one 
inch  at  the  smaller  end.  On  the  larger  end  is  placed  a  spool, 
usually  If  inches  in  diameter  and  If  inches  long,  upon  which  the 
line  is  wound.  The  axis  of  the  spool  projects  on  one  side  as  a 
handle,  bent  to  the  shape  of  the  handle  of  the  ordinary  reel.  About 
4  or  5  inches  from  the  spool  is  a  hole  through  the  stick  through 
which  a  round  stick  somewhat  smaller  than  the  hole  is  placed.  An 
oblong  hole  is  cut  in  the  ice,  through  which  the  lower  end  of  the 
stick  is  placed  until  the  cross-stick  rests  upon  the  ice,  adjusted  so 
that  the  stick  stands  at  an  angle  of  about  40  degrees  from  perpen- 
dicular. A  piece  of  red  flannel  is  tied  to  the  handle  of  the  reel 
which  is  adjusted  so  as  to  stand  up.  Live  minnows  are  used  for 
bait.  Each  fisherman  will  have  several,  sometimes  15  to  20, 
spools  arranged  in  a  circle  in  the  center  of  which  he  stands,  keep- 
ing watch  on  all.  When  the  red  signal  of  any  reel  is  observed  to 
be  turned  down  he  assumes  that  a  fish  has  taken  the  minnow  of 
that  line  and,  going  to  it,  he  takes  the  spool  in  his  hand,  gives  it 
a  jerk  to  hook  the  fish,  then  winds  it  in. 

Another  somewhat  similar  contrivance  used  to  some  extent  by 
ice-fishermen  is  the  tip-up.  This  consists  of  a  board  24  inches 
long,  f  inch  thick  and  about  2  inches  wide.  A  hole  is  bored 
through  the  board  from  edge  to  edge  about  8  inches  from  one  end. 
This  detached  piece,  upon  the  outer  end  of  which  the  spool  is  placed 
is  supported  by  a  wooden  pin  passing  through  the  hole  already 
mentioned  and  is  so  balanced  that,  when  the  tip-up  is  properly  placed, 
a  slight  pull  on  the  upper  end  brings  it  down.  Usually  a  small 
leather  flap  is  fastened  upon  the  frame  at  the  lower  end  so  as  to  aid 
in  holding  the  movable  piece  in  place  until  pulled  upon  by  a  fish. 
The  tip-up  is  set  in  the  ice  at  an  angle  of  about  45  degrees  and  the 
hook  is  let  down  through  a  hole  underneath.  Live  minnows  are 
used  for  bait.  When  the  bait  is  taken  the  movable  piece  tips,  the 
spool  end  going  down. 

Sometimes  the  tip-up  is  simply  laid  flat  on  the  ice  over  the 
hole.  The  inner  (or  base)  end  of  the  movable  piece  is  painted  red 
so  that  it  may  be  seen  the  more  readily  when  it  tips  up. 


276         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Ice  fishing  usually  begins  as  soon  as  the  ice  is  strong  enough 
to  bear  up  well,  and  continues  as  long  as  it  remains  safe.  In  the 
winter  of  1900-1901,  it  began  on  December  13  and  continued  until 
March  22.  Fishing  is  best  when  the  ice  is  covered  with  snow  or 
has  become  sulficiently  opaque  to  prevent  the  fish  from  seeing  the 
fishermen. 

As  Lost  Lake  freezes  over  earlier  in  the  winter  than  the  large 
lake,  ice  fishing  begins  there  first.  On  the  first  fine  morning  after 
the  ice  has  become  strong  enough  to  be  safe  and  sufficient  snow  has 
fallen  to  render  it  opaque,  the  ice  fishermen  will  be  found  out  in 
force.  Usually  there  are  about  a  half  dozen  who  make  ice  fishing 
a  regular  business  in  winter.  Besides  these  there  is  a  varying 
number  of  others  who  fish  irregularly.  The  fishermen  usually  ar- 
rive upon  the  scene  early  in  the  morning  and,  unless  the  weather 
becomes  too  disagreeable,  continue  until  evening,  and  every  day 
until  the  ice  becomes  so  rotten  as  to  be  unsafe. 

The  number  of  ice  fishermen  will  vary  from  2  or  3  to  20  or 
80;  perhaps  the  average  daily  number  would  be  about  6. 

The  species  of  fishes  that  are  caught  in  this  way  at  this  lake 
are  the  following :  Straw  bass,  black  bass,  bluegill,  rock  bass,  wall- 
eyed pike,  yellow  perch,  warmouth,  crappie,  calico  bass,  grass  pike, 
and  catfish.     Water-dogs  and  turtles  are  also  occasionally  taken. 

The  straw  bass  is  the  principal  fish  caught,  though  large  num- 
bers of  the  other  species  are  sometimes  taken.  The  method  is  a 
very  successful  one  and  on  favorable  days  large  catches  are  made. 

The  following  table  shows  by  species  the  number  of  fish  caught 
by  certain  ice  fishermen  in  the  winter  of  1900-1901 : 


Date 

1900 

No. 

fishing 

Yellow 
Perch 

Crap- 
pie 

Cat- 
fish 

Straw 
Bass 

Grass 
Pike 

War- 
mouth 

Black 
Bass 

Blue- 
gill 

Rock 
Bass 

Wall- 
eye 

Water- 
dog 

December 
14 

1 

2 
3 
1 

1 
2 

1 
3 
2 
2 

4 

2 

16 

1 

1 

1 

8 

17 

1 

2 

18 

11 
2 

19 

1 

5 

22 

8 

39 
8 

60 
30 
12 

28 

29 

1 

30 

1 

31 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         211 


Date 
1901 

No. 
fishing 

Yellow 
Perch 

Crap- 
pie 

Cat- 
fish 

Straw 
Bass 

Grass     War- 
Pike     mouth 

Black 
Bass 

Blue- 
gill 

Rock 
Bass 

Wall- 
eye 

Water-    Dog- 
dog         fish 

Jan. 
1 

4 
6 
3 
5 
6 
7 
9 
1 
3 
4 
5 
1 
6 
1 
3 
2 
2 
1 
5 
1 
5 
2 

1 

1 
2 

2 

25 

22 

4 

2 

1 

3 

1 

4 

16 

13 

17 

65 

9 

13 

7 

3 

5 

6 

4 
5 

1 
1 

7 

1 

8 

9 

6 



10 

11 

1 
1 

1 

4 

12 

13 

10 

21 

24 

2 

6 

1 

40 

1 

54 

2 

14 

15 

16 

1 

1 

18 

1 

19 

3 
3 

21 

2 

22 

23 

30 

1 
2 

30 

Feb.. 
7 

1 

11 

1 

7 

13 

Date 
1901 

u     M 

a    a 

S    in 
3  « 

.2 
'S. 

§■ 

O 

J3 

03 

m 

a) 

a 

.J3 
1 

pq 

o 

3 

1 

s 

<A 

■a 
1 

.J3 

0 

m 

o 

February 
15 

5 
2 
2 
2 

1 
3 
1 
2 

11 
3 
1 
4 
7 
8 
4 
2 
2 
6 
4 
3 
3 
4 
2 
5 
1 
3 

2 
18 

2 
21 
15 
18 

2 

8 

56 

24 
8 

84 
112 

52 
6 
3 
5 

27 
6 

16 

19 

23 

24 

25 

27 

28 

6 

3 
5 

March 
1 

1 

2 

3 

4 

1 

2 

7 

2 

g 

9 

1 

1 

1 

9 

1 

1 

10 

11 

2 

12 

5 
3 
8 

13 

17 
19 

2 

1 

14 

15 

10 
13 
14 
18 
2 
1 

16 

3 

1 

17 

1 

1 

18 

22 

1 

19 

2 

22 

1 

11 

195 

126 

8 

14 

1,068 

1 

4 

58 

2 

7 

7 

5 

1 

17 

278         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

FISHES  PLANTED  IN  LAKE  MAXINKUCKEE 

The  people  interested  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  have  been  and  are 
ahve  to  the  vaUie  of  the  artificial  propagation  of  food  and  game 
fishes  and  the  inadequacy  of  natural  reproduction  to  keep  up  the 
supply  in  the  lake.  The  officials  of  the  Vandalia  Railroad,  the 
Maxinkuckee  Association,  and  a  number  of  private  individuals 
have  kept  in  touch  with  angling  conditions  at  the  lake  and  have 
been  active  in  their  efi'orts  to  keep  up  the  supply  of  fish.  The 
United  States  Bureau  of  Fisheries  has  always  responded  promptly 
to  requests  for  fish  for  this  lake,  and  during  the  last  23  years  has 
planted  in  the  lake  a  total  of  more  than  34,138,830  fish. 

So  far  as  known  the  first  plantings  of  fish  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee 
were  made  in  September,  1889,  and  August,  1890,  by  the  senior 
author  of  this  report,  then  professor  of  biology  in  the  Indiana  State 
Normal  School  at  Terre  Haute.  In  his  investigations  about  Terre 
Haute  he  had  observed  that,  during  high  water  in  the  spring,  many 
fishes,  including  both  the  large-mouth  black  bass  and  the  small- 
mouth  black  bass,  run  out  into  the  overflow  ponds  and  bayous 
along  the  Wabash  River,  and,  as  the  water  recedes,  become  caught 
there.  And  in  the  fall  the  majority  of  these  ponds  dry  up  and 
the  fish  in  them  perish.  He  conceived  the  idea  of  seining  out  these 
fish  and  transplanting  them  into  the  Wabash  River  and  Lake  Max- 
inkuckee. Large  tin  transportation  cans  were  borrowed  from  the 
U.  S.  Fish  Commission,  and  with  the  assistance  of  his  students 
several  hundred  valuable  fish  were  saved  which  would  otherwise 
certainly  have  perished  had  they  been  left  in  the  ponds.  Many 
hundreds  of  large-mouth  black  bass,  small-mouth  black  bass,  rock 
bass,  crappie,  calico  bass,  sunfish  and  catfish  of  several  species, 
suckers,  buffalo,  saugers,  and  other  less  important  kinds,  were 
turned  loose  in  the  Wabash  River  near  by,  and  one  shipment  was 
made  to  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  Two  other  shipments  were  made  in 
August,  1890.  Mr.  George  E.  Farrington,  general  agent  of  the 
Vandalia,  with  the  true  public  spirit  and  a  keen  appreciation  of  the 
advantages  of  keeping  Lake  Maxinkuckee  an  attractive  fishing 
resort,  kindly  arranged  for  the  free  transportation  of  the  fish  to 
the  lake,  and  the  three  plants  were  made  from  the  pier  at  Knapp's 
hotel.  The  three  plants  aggregated  a  total  of  750  adult  fish  and 
consisted  chiefly  of  large-mouth  black  bass  though  there  were  many 
of  the  small-mouth  species  among  them. 

Since  then  the  U.  S.  Fish  Commission  (now  the  Bureau  of  Fish- 
eries) ,  has  planted  a  great  many  fish  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  as  may 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         279 

be  seen  from  the  following  tabular  statement.  It  is  doubtful  if  any 
lake  in  the  country  has  been  more  liberally  supplied  with  fish  by 
the  Government.  It  is  also  doubted  if  there  is  any  other  lake  where 
the  results  of  artificial  plantings  of  fishes  have  been  more  satis- 
factory. Perhaps  the  best  results  have  been  obtained  with  the 
walleyed  pike,  locally  called  "salmon."  While  this  species  is  un- 
doubtedly indigenous  to  the  lake,  it  does  not  seem  to  breed  well 
in  this  lake.  In  order  to  keep  up  the  supply  to  any  considerable 
abundance  it  is  therefore  necessary  to  make  large  plants  of  fry 
from  time  to  time.  It  is  believed  that  the  majority  of  "walleyed" 
pike  caught  each  year  are  the  grown  up  fish  from  the  fry  planted 
two  or  more  years  previously.  It  is  difi'erent,  however,  with  the 
large-mouth  black  bass,  the  small-mouth  black  bass  and  most  of 
the  other  species  planted ;  they  all  breed  freely  in  this  lake  and 
every  plant  made  increases  the  breeding  stock  correspondingly. 

It  will  be  observed  from  the  table  that  four  plants  of  lake  trout 
aggregating  10,587  fish  have  been  made  in  this  lake.  So  far  as 
we  have  been  able  to  learn  there  is  no  evidence  that  any  of  these 
survived ;  there  is  no  authentic  record  of  the  capture  of  a  lake  trout 
in  this  lake.  If  the  physical  and  biological  conditions  obtaining  in 
Lake  Maxinkuckee  had  been  as  well  understood  before  the  lake  trout 
were  planted,  as  they  are  now,  those  plants  would  not  have  been 
made.  One  of  the  important  results  of  our  investigations  was  the 
discovery  that  there  is  little  or  no  absorbed  oxygen  in  the  deeper 
waters  of  the  lake  in  the  fall.  Deep-water  species,  such  as  the  lake 
trout,  whitefish,  etc.,  finding  no  oxygen  in  the  depths  they  inhabit, 
can  not  survive.  This  interesting  problem  is  discussed  more  fully  in 
another  part  of  this  report  (page  221).  If  this  important  fact  had 
been  known  in  time  the  plantings  of  lake  trout  would  not  have  been 
made  and  the  Government  would  have  been  saved  an  expense 
greater  than  the  entire  cost  of  all  the  investigations  that  have  been 
made  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee. 

The  following  table  shows  the  number  of  fish  of  the  various 
species  that  have  been  placed  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  In  the  earlier 
plantings  the  two  species  of  bass  were  not  difi"erentiated ;  each 
planting  usually  contained  both  species,  the  large-mouth  more  often 
predominating : 


280         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


PLANTS  OF  FISH  IN  LAKE  MAXINKUCKEE 


Date 


Species 


Fry 


Fingerlings  and  adults 


1889-90 

1890 
Feb.  15 

1891 
Jan.    14 
June    12 

1892 

Feb.     1 

Nov.  10 

10 

10 

10 

1894 

Mar.  10 

May     4 

1896 
Dec.  29 
29 
29 
1898 
Oct.   20 
29 
1899 
Aug.  23 

1900 

May  16 

1902 

1903 

1904 
1905 


1907 
1909 
1911 

1912 
1913 


Black  Bass. 


Lake  trout . 


Lake  trout 

Pike  perch  or  salmon 


Lake  trout 

Black  bass 

Warmouth  bass. 

Crappie 

Yellow  perch . . . 


Lake  trout . 
Pike  perch . 

Black  bass . 
Crappie .  . . . 
Crappie 


Black  bass . 
Crappie. . . . 


Large-mouth  black  bass . 


Pike  percli 
Pike  perch. 
Black  bass . 
Pike  perch. 
Black  bass. 
Pike  perch. 

Catfish 

Crappie 

Black  bass . 
Pike  perch. 
Black  bass. 
Black  bass . 
Pike  perch. 
Pike  perch. 
Black  bass . 


800,000 


2,000,000 


800,000 
10,000,000 


8,200,000 
7,700,000 


1,000,000 


1,500,000 
2,100,000 


750 
1,900  yearling 
3 ,  250  yearling 


2,531  yearling 
1,190  yearling 

400  yearling 
50  yearling 

385  yearling 

2,906  yearling 


2 ,  200  yearling 

1 ,  600  yearling 

300  adult 

200  yearling 
500  yearling 

5,198  adult 


800 

400 

5,700 

750 

6,900 

625 
45 

250 


Total . 


34,100,000 


38.830 


From  this  it  is  seen  that  a  total  of  over  thirty-four  million  fish 
have  been  planted  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  These  represent  differ- 
ent species,  as  follows: 

Lake  trout   10,587 

Pike  perch    34,100,000 

Black  bass,  both  species   18,558 

Warmouth   bass    400 

Crappie    3,200 

Yellow  perch   385 

Catfish   5,700 

Total    34,138,830 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         281 

All  of  these  species  do  well  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  except  the 
lake  trout.  It  is  not  certain  that  any  of  that  species  has  ever  been 
seen  in  the  lake  after  the  plants  were  made,  but  all  the  others  do 
well. 

On  April  1,  1908,  600  rainbow  trout  were  put  in  the  outlet 
stream  just  below  Walley's  and  150  in  Culver  Creek  north  of  the 
Academy  grounds.     The  trout  were  3  to  5  inches  long. 

Although  an  examination  of  those  streams  indicated  favorable 
conditions  under  which  trout  ought  to  do  well,  none  of  the  fish  has 
been  seen  since  the  plants  were  made.  The  conditions  are  so  fa- 
vorable that  it  is  hoped  the  experiment  may  be  repeated  soon. 

The  establishment  of  a  fish-cultural  station  or  fish  hatchery  at 
Lake  Maxinkuckee  has  often  been  suggested. 

It  is  believed  that  an  excellent  site  for  a  pond  station  could  be 
secured  at  this  lake.  There  are  two  or  three  excellent  locations  on 
the  east  side  where  a  gravity  supply  of  water  could  be  secured  and 
where  ground  suitable  in  character  and  ample  in  area  for  a  series 
of  ponds  can  be  found.  There  are  also  good  locations  on  the  north 
and  west  sides. 

A  well-equipped  hatchery  at  this  lake  could  easily  keep,  not 
only  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  but  all  suitable  waters  in  northern  Indi- 
ana well  stocked  with  bass,  walleyed  pike,  bluegills,  and  rock  bass. 

MORTALITY    AMONG    DIFFERENT    SPECIES    OF    FISHES 

At  various  times  in  the  year  dead  fish  of  different  species  are 
found  in  some  numbers  washed  up  along  the  shore.  The  species 
most  affected  appear  to  be  the  bluegills  and  white  suckers.  The 
bluegills  die  in  the  spring,  in  May  and  June,  and  the  white  suckers 
in  the  fall,  usually  in  September.  Although  a  large  number  of  dead 
fish  were  examined  no  satisfactory  explanation  of  the  cause  or 
causes  of  their  dying  was  discovered.  The  fish  were  usually  infested 
with  water  mould,  or  Saprolegnia,  but  it  is  not  believed  that  was  the 
agent  that  caused  the  fish  to  die.  This  saprophytic  plant  first  be- 
comes evident  by  appearing  as  a  soft  white  mould  on  the  surface  of 
the  fish,  particularly  in  places  where  the  scales  have  been  rubbed  off 
or  where  the  fish  has  been  otherwise  injured.  But  by  the  time  it  be- 
comes evident  to  the  naked  eye,  the  fish  is  probably  past  helping. 
When  the  fish  becomes  injured  in  any  way  or  when  its  vitality  is 
lowered  because  of  foul  water  or  any  other  reason,  it  is  apt  to  be 
attacked  by  water  mould  and  nothing  can  be  done  to  save  it. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year,  soon  after  the  ice  goes  off  the  lake, 
unusual  numbers  of  dead  fish,  water-dogs,  crawfishes,  etc.,  are  apt 
to  be  washed  up  on  shore.     These  do  not  indicate  any  sudden  or  un- 


282         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Stirvey 

usual  mortality  among  the  fishes ;  they  probably  simply  represent 
the  accumulated  mortality  of  the  past  winter,  during  which  time 
the  lake  was  covered  with  ice,  the  water  inadequately  aerated,  and 
many  fish  died  as  a  result.  Fishes  or  other  animals  dying  under 
such  circumstances  would  decay  very  slowly  in  the  ice-covered 
water  and,  remaining  well  preserved  in  the  ice-cold  water,  would 
accumulate  and  be  washed  up  on  shore  soon  after  the  ice  disap- 
pears and  winds  again  disturb  the  lake  surface. 

COMMERCIAL  FISHING 

There  is  now  no  commercial  fishing  at  this  lake.  The  impor- 
tant species  in  it  are  all  game  fishes  under  the  law,  the  sale  of 
which  is  not  permitted. 

A  canvass  made  of  the  fisheries  of  Indiana  in  1894,  credited 
Lake  Maxinkuckee  with  five  hand-line  fishermen  with  10  hand-lines 
valued  at  $30  and  five  boats  worth  $50,  and  a  catch  of 

600  pounds  of  rock  bass,  valued  at $72  00 

2,833  pounds  of  black  bass,  valued  at 368  00 

300  pounds  of  walleyed  pike,  valued  at 24  00 

500  pounds  of  yellow  perch,  valued  at 60  00 

4,233  pounds  total,  valued  at $524  00 

This  of  course  represents  only  the  fish  actually  sold ;  the  vastly 
greater  amount  caught  by  sportsmen  does  not  appear. 

Until  the  present  law  prohibiting  the  sale  of  game  fishes  became 
effective,  a  considerable  part  of  the  catch  of  the  ice-fishermen  was 
sold. 

OBSERVANCE  OF  FISH  LAWS 

Public  sentiment  about  Lake  Maxinkuckee  in  relation  to  the 
fish  and  game  laws  is  wholesome  and  favors  their  observance. 
There  has  been  a  notable  improvement  in  the  last  ten  years.  In 
the  spring  of  1900,  it  was  not  uncommon  to  see  lights  in  the 
south  part  of  the  lake  where  spearing  was  going  on  at  night. 
Sometimes  the  violators  operated  in  Outlet  Bay.  In  the  same 
year  some  spearing  was  done  about  the  middle  of  November. 
Some  netting  was  done  also.  A  favorite  method  was  to  cut  a 
long  narrow  slit  through  the  ice  across  the  mouth  of  Norris  Inlet. 
A  gillnet  would  be  let  down  through  this  and  by  pounding  on  the 
ice  the  fish  would  be  driven  into  it.  Little  or  none  of  this  sort 
of  fishing  has  been  observed  recently. 

It  was  reported  that  some  seining  was  done  in  May,  1907,  and 
three  arrests  were  made,  and  a  conviction  secured,  in  each  case. 

Considerable  illegal  fishing  was  thought  to  be  going  on  in  March 
and  April,  1911,  but  no  actual  case  was  observed. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         283 

There  have  doubtless  been  more  violations  of  the  bird  law. 
Even  prominent  cottagers  and  citizens  have  been  suspected  of 
shooting  or  hunting  ducks  illegally  and  some  convictions  have  been 
secured.  In  October,  1904,  a  prominent  cottager  on  the  east  side 
was  caught  chasing  coots  with  a  motor  boat,  after  sunset  and  on 
Sunday,  all  three  acts  being  unlawful.  He  was  fined  on  all  three 
counts. 

We  are  informed  by  the  present  deputy  fish  and  game  warden 
stationed  at  the  lake  that  he  has  known  of  only  one  violation  of  the 
fish  law  in  the  last  two  years.  One  arrest  was  made  for  having  a 
fish  spear  in  possession.     Conviction  was  secured. 

It  is  believed  that  both  the  fish  and  game  laws  are  now  fairly 
well  observed  in  the  vicinity  of  the  lake. 

Minnows 

In  the  fall  of  the  year,  about  when  the  water  becomes  chill 
and  the  first  ice  forms,  minnows  of  various  species  begin  to 
congregate  in  great  numbers  in  shallow  water  along  the  shore. 
On  November  12,  1899,  a  narrow  fringe  of  ice  appeared  along 
the  shores  of  Lost  Lake  and  minnows  were  observed  crowded 
thickly  under  it.  Similar  conditions  existed  at  the  south  end  of 
Lake  Maxinkuckee  and  thousands  of  minnows  were  crowded  under 
the  ice.  Some  that  had  hidden  under  boards  and  boats  were  more 
tame  and  more  easily  caught  than  those  found  elsewhere. 

On  September  16,  1900,  a  large  school  was  seen  near  shore  in 
front  of  the  Fish  Commission  station ;  on  the  18th,  a  considerable 
school  remained  near  shore  all  day.  On  October  17,  a  good  many 
were  again  observed,  and  on  the  26th,  a  large  school  remained  near 
shore.  The  day  was  quiet,  the  water  very  smooth,  and  the  little 
fish  could  be  heard  breaking  water  and  splashing  for  some  dis- 
tance. They  were  probably  feeding  on  surface  plankton.  On  the 
29th,  they  could  be  heard  at  night  making  a  "snipping"  noise.  On 
the  night  of  October  30,  they  could  be  heard  making  a  sort  of  lisp- 
ing noise.  Early  in  the  morning  of  November  3,  great  numbers 
were  seen  near  shore,  playing  very  lively  at  the  surface.  Again 
on  the  10th,  11th,  and  12th  they  were  very  lively,  splashing  and 
making  considerable  noise. 

On  November  30,  several  grayback  minnows  among  a  large 
number  taken  were  found  to  be  ruptured  slightly  in  the  abdomen. 
This  was  probably  caused  by  freezing.  Many  large  schools  of 
minnows,  chiefly  skipjacks,  were  seen  under  the  ice  at  south  end  of 
lake. 

On  December  1  and  2,  only  a  few  were  seen  near  shore,  some 
in  Lost  Lake  and  some  in  the  big  lake.     On  the  3rd,  there  was  an 


284         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

immense  school,  very  dense  and  compact,  of  straw-colored  min- 
nows and  skipjacks  along  the  east  side  of  Long  Point  for  a  long 
distance. 

On  the  5th,  enormous  schools,  considerably  larger  and  denser 
than  ever  noted  before,  were  seen  along  the  east  side  of  Long  Point. 
They  made  great  dark  patches  on  the  bottom,  like  Chara  carpet. 
On  the  12th,  a  good  many  under  the  ice  near  shore  all  day;  a  large 
and  very  dense  school  under  the  bow  of  a  small  steamer  at  the 
Arlington  station.  Many  were  noted  also  on  the  14th,  in  each  lake, 
under  the  ice,  and  a  few  under  the  ice  in  Lost  Lake  on  the  15th; 
none  seen  in  the  Outlet. 

Similar  conditions  were  observed  in  1904.  On  December  16 
and  24,  several  schools  were  seen  along  Long  Point,  but  they  were 
not  so  dense  as  in  1900.  On  the  27th,  enormous  schools  were  seen 
under  the  Depot  pier.  The  next  day  many  skipjacks  were  noted 
under  the  Outlet  bridge.  On  January  4,  1905,  considerable  num- 
bers were  seen  along  the  north  shore  where  there  was  some  ice,  and 
Culver  Inlet  was  full  of  straw-colored  minnows. 

In  1906,  a  great  many  were  seen  on  east  side  of  Long  Point, 
November  13,  and  on  the  14th,  many  in  Lost  Lake. 

Migrations  and  Seasonal  Movements  of  the  Fishes 

In  a  body  of  water  as  small  as  Lake  Maxinkuckee  and  with  no 
considerable  tributary  streams  or  outflow,  the  movements  of  the 
fishes  are  necessarily  much  restricted.  There  are,  however,  certain 
movements  that  may  be  considered,  as  follows : 

1.  From  one  depth  to  another: — Movements  of  this  kind  occur 
at  various  times. 

a.  During  the  summer,  when  the  deeper  parts  of  the  lake  are 
abundantly  supplied  with  absorbed  oxygen,  certain  species,  such 
as  the  walleyed  pike  and  to  some  extent  the  small-mouth  black  bass, 
the  large-mouth  bass,  the  bluegill  and  the  yellow  perch,  will  be 
found  in  deep  water.  This  is  particuarly  true  of  the  walleyed  pike ; 
of  the  other  species  named  it  is  true  only  to  a  very  limited  ex- 
tent. In  the  fall,  even  as  early  as  September,  the  oxidation  of 
the  vast  amount  of  dead  plankton  which  during  the  summer  has 
been  slowly  falling  to  the  bottom  of  the  lake  in  a  continuous  shower 
from  above,  will  have  exhausted  the  supply  of  oxygen  in  the  deep 
water.  The  walleyed  pike  and  other  fishes  which  were  able  to  live 
there  during  the  summer  are  now  forced  to  move  up  to  shallower 
depths  to  which,  fortunately,  they  are  able  to  adapt  themselves. 
This  movement  is  not  usually  until  toward  the  end  of  September 
or  in  October.     By  the  middle  of  October  they  have  come  out  into 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         285 

water  30  to  45  feet  deep  and  may  be  taken  on  or  about  the  bars 
between  those  depths.  Later  in  the  season  they  will  be  found  at 
still  more  shallow  depths.  Whether  they  return  to  deeper  water 
during  the  winter  has  not  been  definitely  determined.  It  is  known 
that  they  are  in  relatively  shallow  water  during  the  spring  where 
they  remain  until  in  June,  or  early  July ;  then  they  go  to  deeper 
water. 

b.  There  is  another  seasonal  movement  from  greater  to  lesser 
depths  and  back  again,  that  is  probably  not  related  in  any  way  to 
the  oxygen  content  of  the  water,  but  which  is  caused  chiefly  by 
temperature  differences.  This  manifests  itself  in  a  number  of 
ways,  of  which  a  few  illustrations  may  be  given :  The  little  stickle- 
back, Eucalia  inconstans,  prefers  relatively  cold  water.  During 
the  summer  and  early  fall  they  may  not  ordinarily  be  found  in 
water  less  than  15  to  20  feet  in  depth;  indeed,  they  seem  to  go 
down  to  the  depths  which  mark  the  maximum  for  Chara  and  other 
aquatic  vegetation.  In  all  of  our  summer  seining  operations  about 
the  lake  only  one  stickleback  was  obtained ;  but  in  the  late  fall  and 
during  the  winter,  specimens  were  frequently  obtained  when  dredg- 
ing in  4-  to  12-foot  water.  During  summer  dredging  they  were 
found  only  in  considerably  greater  depths.  Evidently  these  little 
fish  remain  during  the  warm  summer  months  at  considerable 
depths,  and  some,  not  all,  come  out  into  shallower  water  only  when 
the  temperature  there  has  become  equally  cool. 

Then  again,  young  of  many  of  the  fishes  of  the  lake,  especially 
basses,  bluegills  and  perch,  are  found  in  greatest  abundance  dur- 
ing the  summer  in  shallow  water  near  shore  where  they  not  only 
find  protection  in  the  masses  of  vegetation  which  they  inhabit  but 
where  they  also  find  an  abundant  supply  of  suitable  food.  But  as 
fall  comes  on,  and  the  shallow  water  near  shore  becomes  more  and 
more  cold  until  finally  near  the  freezing  point,  these  young  fishes 
move  out  into  deeper  and  slightly  warmer  water  and  secrete  them- 
selves in  the  masses  of  Chara,  Nitella  and  other  vegetation.  There 
they  spend  the  winter,  returning  to  shallower  water  in  the  spring. 

Still  another  movement  occurs  late  in  the  fall,  usually  not  until 
after  the  first  frosts  have  come,  when  several  species  of  small 
fishes  gather  up  in  unusual  numbers  in  shallow  water  along  the 
shore.  The  species  most  concerned  are  the  straw-colored  minnow 
{Notropis  blennius) ,  the  Cayuga  minnow  (Notropis  cayuga) ,  the 
blunt-nosed  minnow  (Pimejjhales  notatns),  the  skipjack  {Labides- 
thes  sicculus) ,  the  grayback  minnow  (Funduliis  diapluimis  me- 
nona) ,  and  the  log  perch  (Percina  caprodes) .  Each  of  these 
species  is  found  at  all  times  in  greater  or  less  numbers  pretty  well 


286         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

distributed  in  shallow  water  everywhere  along  shore.  But  in  the 
fall  they  gather  up  in  schools.  Sometimes  these  schools  are  of  im- 
mense size,  containing  many  thousands  of  individuals.  The  dif- 
ferent species  mentioned  are  present  numerically  usually  in  the 
order  named,  and  there  will  be  along  with  them  a  few  individuals 
of  several  other  small  fishes,  chiefly  Cyprinid^e.  Usually  the  skip- 
jacks and  log  perch  school  by  themselves.  The  log  perch  schools 
come  earlier  than  the  others ;  in  1913,  they  were  first  noticed  in 
large  numbers  on  October  3,  when  a  school  of  100  to  200  or  more 
was  seen  at  Johnson's  pier  on  Long  Point.  They  were  lying  quietly 
on  the  clear  sandy  bottom  or  moving  slowly  about  in  shallow  water. 
The  same  school  was  observed  on  several  subsequent  days.  On 
the  same  day,  October  3,  a  large  school  of  skipjacks  was  seen  near 
the  same  place.  Others  were  seen  later  and  continued  to  be  noted 
as  opportunity  afi'orded  so  long  as  our  observations  were  kept  up, 
or  until  October  31. 

The  very  large  schools  of  small  fishes  that  may  be  seen  along 
the  shore  in  the  fall  consist,  however,  chiefly  of  the  species  of 
Notropis  mentioned,  particularly  Notroins  blennms  and  N.  cayuga, 
and  do  not  appear  until  some  time  later.  Perhaps  the  largest 
schools  ever  noted  by  us  were  seen  on  November  5,  1907.  On  that 
day  the  shallow  water  on  the  east  side  of  Lost  Lake  was  alive  with 
small  fishes  all  the  way  from  the  Bardsley  cottage  to  the  south  end 
of  the  lake.  More  than  a  bushel  were  caught  at  a  single  haul  with 
a  12-foot  seine.  There  were  actually  millions  of  them,  chiefly 
Notrojns  cayuga.  In  other  places  Notropis  hlennius  was  the  most 
abundant  species. 

These  schools  seen  in  the  fall  vary  much  in  size,  from  small  to 
very  large.  They  are  seen  to  best  advantage  on  still,  bright  sun- 
shiny days,  even  when  the  air  is  quite  cold.  They  are  seen  most 
often  about  or  under  piers  or  boats. 

We  are  unable  at  this  time  to  explain  why  these  small  fishes  col- 
lect in  schools  and  come  out  into  shallow  water  in  the  fall.  It 
evidently  has  no  relation  to  their  feeding  habits  or  their  breeding 
habits;  nor  does  it  appear  to  be  for  the  purpose  of  getting  away 
from  the  bass  and  other  carnivorous  fishes ;  as  a  matter  of  fact 
many  of  them  fall  prey  to  water-dogs  which  crawl  up  close  to  shore 
and  devour  the  fishes  in  considerable  numbers.  It  may  be  a  reac- 
tion to  temperature. 

c.  There  is  still  another  movement  that  occurs  daily  during 
the  summer  and  early  fall.  We  refer  to  the  coming  of  bass  and 
other  fishes  into  shallow  water  at  night.  This  is  a  well-marked 
movement  and  occurs  more  or  less  evidently  every  still  night  in 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         287 

summer,  especially  in  August  and  September.  The  species  that 
participate  are  both  large-  and  small-mouth  black  bass,  rock  bass, 
yellow  perch,  walleyed  pike,  dogfish  and  even  suckers  and  catfish. 
This  movement  is  clearly  a  factor  in  the  feeding  habits  of  the 
species  concerned ;  they  evidently  come  at  night  into  shallow  water 
along  shore  for  the  purpose  of  feeding  upon  the  young  and  small 
fishes  and  other  life  found  there,  especially  insects  which  oviposit 
in  the  water  surface  near  shore. 

For  this  reason  seining  operations  along  shore  at  night  were  al- 
ways interesting,  because  species  could  then  be  gotten  which  could 
not  ordinarily  be  found  there  in  day  time. 

The  intelligent  anglers,  well  aware  of  this  habit,  particularly 
of  the  large-mouth  bass  and  the  walleyed  pike,  will  be  found  troll- 
ing or  casting  near  shore  in  the  evening.  And  the  enthusiasts  who 
fish  after  dark  know  that  it  is  worth  while  to  do  their  casting  and 
trolling  near  shore  at  the  edges  of  the  rushes  and  other  vegetation. 

2.  From  Lake  Maxinkuckee  to  Lost  Lake: — To  what  extent  do 
bass  and  other  fishes  leave  Lake  Maxinkuckee  in  the  fall  and  go 
down  into  Lost  Lake  and  on  to  Tippecanoe  River?  And  to  what 
extent  do  they  return  in  the  spring?  These  are  very  important 
questions.  The  abundance  and  the  permanence  of  the  supply  of 
fishes  in  the  lake  will  be  dependent  in  large  measure  upon  the  facts 
suggested  in  these  questions. 

In  the  opinion  of  many  residents  about  the  lake  and  of  many 
of  the  anglers  who  visit  it,  a  great  many  of  the  game  fishes  leave 
the  lake  in  the  fall  and  go  through  the  Outlet  down  into  Lost  Lake. 
Some  think  they  all  stop  and  spend  the  winter  in  Lost  Lake  and 
return  to  Lake  Maxinkuckee  in  the  spring.  Others  think  that 
many  of  them  go  on  down  the  Outlet  stream  to  Tippecanoe  River, 
perhaps  to  return  to  the  lake  in  the  spring,  or  perhaps  not.  All 
are  agreed  that  the  species  most  concerned  is  the  large-mouth  bass, 
and  the  small-mouth  black  bass  to  a  less  extent. 

So  general  and  strong  is  the  belief  in  this  alleged  migratory 
movement  that,  at  various  times,  those  holding  this  view  have  suc- 
ceeded in  having  a  screen  put  across  the  Outlet  at  the  railroad 
bridge  in  the  fall  to  prevent  the  fish  from  going  down.  The  screen 
would  be  installed  in  September  and  kept  in  place  until  sometime 
in  the  winter  or  early  spring  when  it  would  be  removed  in  order 
to  let  the  fish  return  if  they  wished  to  do  so. 

During  our  investigations  we  gave  considerable  attention  to 
this  question.  As  the  Outlet  is  only  a  few  rods  (about  40)  from 
where  we  stopped  when  at  the  lake  we  were  able  to  make  almost 
daily  observations  on  the  fish  at  that  place.     Our  observations  cov- 

19—17618 


288         Lake  Maxiakuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

ered  practically  all  of  the  fall  of  1900,  1904,  1906,  1907,  and  1913, 
and  during  parts  of  other  falls. 

A  few  of  our  records  may  be  given  as  typical. 

September  28,  1900,  a  good-sized  school  of  straw  bass  of  various 
sizes,  mostly  small,  under  railroad  bridge. 

October  21,  1904,  a  few  small  straw  bass  in  Outlet  above  the 
screen  this  morning ;  about  as  many  near  a  minnow  box  in  the  Out- 
let below  the  screen. 

October  23,  one  small  straw  bass  against  the  screen. 

October  25,  a  small  school  of  little  straw  bass  under  the  railroad 
bridge. 

October  26,  a  school  of  small  straw  bass  and  one  yellow  perch 
under  the  railroad  bridge,  the  perch  having  moved  down  from 
under  the  wagon  bridge. 

October  27,  water  too  rough  and  foamy  for  observation. 

October  28,  a  good  sized  school  of  small  straw  bass  near  the 
screen.  In  the  afternoon  there  was  a  school  of  perhaps  1,000  skip- 
jacks under  and  at  each  side  of  the  wagon  bridge,  heads  up  stream 
and  skipping  some. 

October  29,  a  number  of  small  straw  bass  in  morning  and  at 
noon;  also  a  school  of  skipjacks  and  a  few  common  sunfish 
(Eupoynotis  gibbosus) . 

October  31,  only  a  few  straw  bass  (same  school  previously 
noted)  under  railroad  bridge.  Immense  school  of  skipjacks  under 
wagon  bridge  at  noon ;  nothing  seen  in  evening. 

November  1,  nothing  seen  early  in  morning  but  probably  the 
same  school  seen  later,  also  on  2d,  and  a  smaller  one  on  the  3d. 

November  4,  a  few  small  straw  bass  under  railroad  bridge 
all  day. 

November  5,  6,  7,  and  9,  only  a  few  seen  each  day. 

November  11,  12,  13,  and  15,  no  fish  at  Outlet. 

November  17,  a  few  straw-colored  minnows  at  noon. 

November  18,  nothing  in  morning,  a  few  straw-colored  minnows 
at  noon. 

November  19,  nothing  under  railroad  bridge;  a  few  straw-col- 
ored minnows  under  wagon  bridge  at  morning  and  noon. 

November  20,  nothing  except  a  few  straw-colored  minnows 
under  railroad  bridge  in  morning,  nothing  at  noon,  a  few  in  even- 
ing. 

November  23,  nothing. 

November  26,  nothing. 

December  10,  a  large  school  of  straw-colored  minnows. 

December  12,  nothing. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         289 

The  observations  of  other  years  show  essentially  the  same  con- 
ditions. 

Much  to  our  regret,  spring  records  are  largely  wanting,  due  to 
the  fact  that  neither  of  us  was  at  the  lake  during  the  spring  ex- 
cept in  1901,  when  the  importance  of  this  question  had  not  yet 
been  fully  realized.  Such  observations,  however,  as  were  made  in 
the  spring  do  not  confirm  the  belief  that  there  is  any  appreciable 
spring  movement  into  Lake  Maxinkuckee. 

It  will  be  noted  that  the  large-mouth  black  bass  (straw  bass) 
is  the  species  that  was  most  frequently  observed,  and  that  the  in- 
dividuals seen  were  almost  without  exception  young  or  very  small 
ones. 

Migration  of  fishes  through  the  Outlet  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee 
might  consist  of  any  one  or  more  of  the  following  movements : 

1.  From  the  lake  into  Lost  Lake  either  (a)  to  remain  perma- 
nently or  (b)  to  return  to  the  larger  lake  in  the  spring. 

2.  From  the  lake  into  Lost  Lake  and  on  down  into  the  Tippe- 
canoe River  either  (a)  to  remain  there  permanently  or  (b)  to  re- 
turn to  Lake  Maxinkuckee  in  the  spring. 

3.  From  Tippecanoe  River  to  Lake  Maxinkuckee  either  (a) 
to  remain  in  it  permanently  or  (b)  to  return  to  the  river  in  the 
fall. 

4.  From  Lost  Lake  to  Lake  Maxinkuckee  either  (a)  to  remain 
permanently,  or  (b)  to  return  to  the  smaller  lake  in  the  fall. 

It  is  evident  that  the  only  movement  that  can  seriously  affect  the 
fishing  in  the  larger  lake  is  that  which  is  not  followed  by  a  return 
migration.  If  a  fall  migration  out  of  the  lake  is  follow^ed  by  a  cor- 
responding spring  migration  i7ito  the  lake,  the  supply  of  fish  in  the 
lake  is  not  materially  affected.  This  is  true  whether  the  fall  mi- 
gi'ation  carries  the  fish  only  to  Lost  Lake  or  on  down  into  the 
Tippecanoe  River.  If  the  fish  should  go  into  Lost  Lake  and  remain 
there  the  supply  in  the  larger  lake  would  be  deceased  by  so  much 
and  that  in  Lost  Lake  correspondingly  increased.  As  the  two  lakes 
are  only  a  few  rods  apart  this  would  not  greatly  affect  the  fishing 
in  the  general  Maxinkuckee  region;  if  the  fish  could  not  be  found 
in  one  lake  they  could  in  the  other.  But  if  the  fish  go  on  down  to 
the  Tippecanoe  River  and  do  not  return  the  fishing  in  the  INIaxin- 
kuckee  region  suffers. 

Aside  from  the  evidence  secured  through  observations  at  the 
Outlet,  very  important,  if  not  conclusive,  evidence  has  been  ob- 
tained as  one  of  the  results  of  another  and  very  different  investiga- 
tion, namely,  a  study  of  the  geographic  distribution  of  the  L^nion- 
idse  or  freshwater  mussels  in  the  Maxinkuckee-Tippecanoe  region. 


290         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

As  is  now  well  known,  the  young  of  the  various  species  of  fresh- 
w^ater  mussels  are  carried  as  parasites  on  the  fins  and  gills  of  fishes 
for  a  considerable  period.  When  sufficiently  developed,  these 
young,  known  as  glochidia,  slough  off  and  drop  to  the  bottom  at 
any  place  where  the  fish  happens  to  be  at  the  time,  and  there  enter 
upon  an  independent  existence.  If  there  were  any  considerable 
migration  of  fishes  from  one  of  these  waters  to  the  other  it  is  highly 
probable  that  glochidia  of  mussels  from  the  one  body  of  water 
would  be  carried  to  and  dropped  in  the  other.  We  should  there- 
fore find  some  river  mussels  in  the  lake  and  some  lake  mussels  in 
the  river;  in  other  words,  the  mussel  faunas  of  the  lake  and  that 
section  of  the  Tippecanoe  River  adjacent  to  the  outlet  stream 
should  closely  resemble  each  other.  But  such  is  not  the  case ;  as  a 
matter  of  fact,  they  are  almost  wholly  diff'erent.  It  is  not  believed 
this  would  be  possible  if  there  were  any  marked  interchange  of 
fishes  between  the  two  waters.  This  feature  of  the  case  is  con- 
sidered more  fully  in  the  discussion  of  the  mussel  fauna  of  the  lake, 
to  which  the  reader  is  referred. 

Another  important  fact  must  be  kept  in  mind.  As  already 
stated  the  large-mouth  black  bass  is  the  species  which,  of  all,  is 
popularly  believed  to  leave  the  lake  in  the  fall,  and  which  is  most 
often  seen  in  the  Outlet.  But  that  these  fish  go  down  to  Tippe- 
canoe River  is  rendered  extremely  doubtful  by  the  fact  that  this 
species  is  not  known  from  the  portion  of  the  Tippecanoe  River 
concerned.  Considerable  and  frequent  collecting  in  the  river  at 
and  near  the  mouth  of  the  outlet  stream  has  failed  to  discover  a 
single  example  of  the  large-mouth  black  bass  in  those  waters;  and 
anglers  familiar  with  the  Tippecanoe  River  rarely,  if  ever,  find 
that  species  in  that  stream. 

During  the  autumn  of  1906,  on  various  occasions,  hauls  with  the 
seine  were  made  in  the  Outlet  about  two  or  2^  miles  below  Lost 
Lake,  and  on  various  occasions  trips  were  made  along  the  whole 
or  part  of  the  Outlet,  and  the  species  of  fishes  noted.  Although 
both  the  seine-hauls  and  several  of  the  trips  were  made  at  a  time 
of  year  when  the  fishes  are  supposed  to  be  migrating,  and  the 
seining  was  done  in  just  such  places  as  they  would  naturally  lurk, 
no  bass  were  observed,  only  a  few  small  suckers,  minnows,  and 
darters,  some  species  of  which  make  their  home  in  the  Outlet  but 
do  not  ascend  to  the  lake  at  all.  We  are  therefore  forced  to  the 
conclusion  that  such  migration  or  movement  of  fishes  in  and  out  of 
Lake  Maxinkuckee  as  may  occur  is  negligible  and  that  screening 
the  Outlet  will  serve  no  useful  purpose. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         291 

FOOD  AND  PARASITES  OF  THE  FISHES 

By  Charles  Branch  Wilson 

Introduction 

The  paper  herewith  presented  is  one  of  those  resulting  from 
an  investigation  of  the  animal  and  plant  life  found  in  Lake  Max- 
inkuckee and  neighboring  waters.  The  author  was  sent  to  the 
lake  in  the  summer  of  1906,  and  directed  to  study  the  parasites 
and  diseases  affecting  the  fishes  of  the  region. 

Mr.  H.  Walton  Clark  assisted  the  writer  during  his  stay  at  the 
lake  in  1906,  and,  at  various  times  thereafter,  collected  and  sent 
to  him  additional  material  which  has  been  useful  in  the  study  of 
the  food  and  the  external  parasites  of  the  fishes  of  this  lake. 

Unfortunately  no  record  could  be  found  of  such  a  study  of  a 
limited  area  of  fresh-water,  where  the  entire  ground  could  be 
covered.  Consequently  there  has  been  no  precedent  to  serve  for 
guidance  and  much  of  the  work  has  been  preparatory  rather  than 
conclusive. 

The  fishes  studied  were  mostly  the  game  and  food  fishes  caught 
by  local  and  visiting  sportsmen,  and  hence  just  the  ones  most  de- 
sirable. Young  fish  of  the  same  species  and  others  too  small  or 
otherwise  unfit  for  food  were  caught  with  a  seine. 

In  this  way  nearly  1,500  fish,  adults  and  young,  were  examined 
during  July,  August,  and  the  first  week  in  September,  and  care- 
ful records  were  kept  of  the  food  and  parasites  observed. 

It  was  soon  realized  that  any  intelligent  discussion  of  the  para- 
sites must  include  their  life  histories  and  also  a  careful  study  of 
their  habits,  their  enemies,  and  the  physical  conditions  which 
might  prove  advantageous  or  detrimental  to  their  growth. 

For  the  three  genera  of  parasitic  copepods  these  data  were 
all  obtained,  in  the  case  of  two  of  them  for  the  first  time ;  for  the 
various  genera  of  cestodes,  trematodes,  and  Acanthocephali,  the 
data  have  been  already  published  by  Dr.  Edwin  Linton  in  his  vari- 
ous excellent  papers  dealing  with  the  internal  parasites  of  fresh- 
water fishes.  But  for  the  leeches,  which  bid  fair  to  prove  the  most 
important  of  the  parasites,  only  a  crude  beginning  could  be  made. 
Their  importance  was  not  realized  until  late  in  the  season ;  only 
a  little  time  could  then  be  given  to  them,  and  they  are  not  a  group 
that  can  be  easily  handled. 

The  lake  was  found  to  be  exceedingly  well  balanced  in  both  its 
animal  and  vegetable  life,  and  the  fish  proved  to  be  disappoint- 


292         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Surveij 

ingly  healthy.  And  yet,  on  second  thought,  a  region  where  the 
various  kinds  of  hfe  are  well  suited  to  their  environment  and 
properly  balanced  can  be  made  fully  as  profitable  a  subject  of 
study  as  one  filled  with  contamination  and  disease. 

A  remedy  or  preventative  is  always  of  more  value  than  the  dis- 
ease which  it  cures;  indeed,  the  only  true  incentive  for  the  study 
of  any  disease  is  the  hope  of  thereby  finding  an  eff'ective  cure  or 
preventative.  Hence  the  careful  investigation  of  such  conditions 
as  prevail  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  ought  to  reveal  the  proper  balance 
between  parasite  and  host,  and  show  how  the  former  are  prevented 
from  multiplying  fast  enough  to  become  dangerous.  With  such 
a  purpose  the  following  observations  have  been  recorded,  and  it  is 
hoped  they  may  also  serve  as  a  basis  for  future  w^ork  along  the 
same  lines. 

The  physical  and  general  ecological  conditions  obtaining  at 
Lake  Maxinkuckee  are  considered  in  detail  in  another  portion  of 
this  report.  The  conditions  which  make  possible  the  abundant  fish- 
life  of  the  lake  are  fully  considered — the  depth  of  the  lake,  the  char- 
acter of  the  water,  the  remarkable  richness  and  profusion  of  plant 
life,  and  the  abundance  and  variety  of  many  groups  of  aquatic 
animals — and  need  not  be  repeated  here. 

Of  the  64  species  of  fishes  known  to  inhabit  Lake  Maxinkuckee 
and  immediately  connecting  waters  27  species  were  studied  by  the 
writer  with  relation  to  their  food  and  parasites.  Among  these  are 
included  practically  all  the  food  and  game  fishes  of  the  lake  (at 
least  12  species)  and  also  a  considerable  number  of  minnows  and 
darters,  of  which  there  are  in  the  lake  no  fewer  than  10  species. 

This  wealth  of  small  fishes  bears  a  most  important  relation  to 
the  general  economy  of  the  larger  food  and  game  fishes,  as  will 
be  seen  in  the  following  considerations. 

In  the  first  place,  they  furnish  food  directly  to  the  larger  fishes, 
the  majority  of  which  are  carnivorous.  Ten  of  the  species  cer- 
tainly depend  upon  these  small  fish  for  a  portion  of  their  food. 
And  these  ten  include  all  the  game  fishes  of  the  lake  except  the 
crappie  and  the  bluegill.  For  the  difi'erent  kinds  of  bass  and 
perch  there  is  no  bait  that  can  compare  with  a  lively  minnow.  And 
the  best  of  the  artificial  baits  are  made  in  imitation  of  the  min- 
now, either  directly  simulating  its  form  (Hildebrandt),  or  indi- 
rectly imitating  the  gleam  of  its  body  darting  through  the  water 
(the  various  trolling  spoons) .  Then,  too,  every  fisherman  knows 
by  repeated  experience  that  it  is  not  the  food  fish  alone  that  are 
partial  to  minnow  bait.     Many  of  the  worthless  fish  are  only  too 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         293 

willing  to  seize  the  tenipting  morsel  and  bring  disgust  to  the  angler 
who,  after  a  hard  fight,  was  looking  for  something  much  better. 
Again  it  must  be  remembered  that  the  fish  just  enumerated  were 
examined  during  the  summer  season  when  their  other  food  is  es- 
pecially abundant.  Thej^  could  be  expected  therefore,  to  yield  only 
minimum  returns  in  the  line  of  fish  food. 

In  the  winter,  on  the  other  hand,  when  the  plankton,  frogs, 
crawfish,  mollusks,  and  alg?e  are  less  numerous,  the  proportion  of 
fish  food  probably  increases.  And  it  would  not  be  surprising  to 
find  even  the  crappie  and  bluegill  eating  darters  and  minnows 
then.  There  is  much  reflection  in  the  thought  that  not  only  is  a 
minnow  the  one  bait  available  for  fishing  through  the  ice,  but  in 
all  probability  it  is  the  best  that  could  be  offered.  Necessity  and 
choice  go  hand  in  hand  for  once. 

In  the  second  place,  the  minnows  themselves  feed  almost  en- 
tirely upon  plankton  and  insect  larvae,  and  hence  an  abundance  of 
these  foods  is  requisite  to  keep  up  the  supply.  Fortunately  the 
lake  is  very  rich  in  just  these  creatures,  and  although  the  swarms 
of  may-flies,  gnats  and  other  dipters  may  occasion  the  angler  some 
inconvenience  at  times,  he  has  but  to  remember  how  essential  they 
are  to  the  life  of  the  fish  he  is  endeavoring  to  secure. 

Species  of  fish  studied:"^ — In  discussing  the  food  and  parasites 
as  here  recorded  it  will  be  better  to  take  up  the  difl'erent  kinds 
separately,  considering  their  relative  importance  and  abundance, 
and  proposing  such  recommendations  as  have  been  suggested  dur- 
ing the  progress  of  the  work. 

1.     Dogfish ;  bowfin.     Amia  calva. 

Only  six  specimens  were  examined,  in  whose  stomachs  were 
found  chiefly  crawfish  and  minnows,  with  the  remains  of  other 
small  fishes,  mollusks  and  alga}.  Each  of  the  six  fishes  contained 
internal  parasites,  trematodes  in  the  mouth  and  throat,  and  ces- 
todes  and  Acanthocephali  in  the  stomach  and  intestine.  There  was 
also  a  trematode  (Azygia  tereticolle)  in  the  gills  of  four  of  the 
specimens.  On  the  outside  of  the  body  one  fish  yielded  Argidns 
americanus,  and  three  gave  two  diff"erent  species  of  leeches. 

The  dogfish  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  seem  to  be  unusually  free 
from  tapeworms.  All  those  examined  elsewhere  are  invariably 
found  loaded  down  with  masses  of  tapeworms,  the  penalty  of  their 
voracious  and  carnivorous  habits,  but  here  they  seem  to  have  es- 
caped. 

*  Considerable   additional    data   legaiding   the   food   of   Maxinkuckee    fishes   will   be   found   in 
the  chapter  on  Fishes   (pp.  306-451). 


294         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

2.  Yellow  Cat.     Ameiitrus  natalis. 

One  hundred  and  twenty-two  specimens  of  this  species  were 
obtained,  all  but  10  of  them  from  Lost  Lake.  Such  of  the  food  as 
could  be  recognized  consisted  entirely  of  small  fish  and  crawfish, 
but  in  the  great  majority  of  cases  nothing  could  be  distinguished. 
This  species  is  the  true  host  of  Argulus  maculostis  and  more  than 
60  specimens  were  obtained,  nearly  half  of  the  fish  examined  being 
infested  with  the  parasite.  On  the  yellow  cat,  also,  a  new  species 
of  Ergasilus  E.  versicolor,  was  more  abundant  than  on  the  bull- 
head. Leeches  were  commonly  found  in  the  mouth  and  around 
the  lips,  and  occasionally  on  the  fins,  while  nearly  every  specimen 
showed  trematodes  and  many  of  them  Acanthocephali  in  the  stom- 
ach. 

3.  Common  Bullhead.     Amelurus  nehulosus. 

Twenty  specimens  were  examined,  half  of  which  w^ere  caught 
in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  and  the  other  half  in  Lost  Lake. 

Partially  digested  fish  were  found  in  the  stomachs  of  four  speci- 
mens; in  a  fifth  many  seeds  of  the  water  lily,  Castalia  odorata, 
while  in  the  remainder  there  was  a  small  mass  of  indistinguishable 
animal  remains.  About  one  fish  out  of  four  proved  to  be  the  host 
of  Argulns  maculosns,  three  or  four  of  these  parasites  being  ob- 
tained from  the  outside  surface  and  fins  of  a  single  fish.  A  single 
leech  was  found  fastened  to  the  lip  of  the  fish  in  three  specimens ; 
on  the  gill-filaments  of  eight  others  were  a  very  few  specimens 
(only  12  in  all)  of  a  new  species  of  Ergasilus,  which  has  been 
named  E.  versicolor,  and  which  will  be  found  described  on  page 
341,  Proc.  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  Vol.  39.  In  the  stomach  of  nearly  every 
fish  were  found  trematodes  and  Acanthocephali. 

4.  Mad  Tom.     Schilb codes  gyrinus. 

The  stomachs  of  the  specimens  examined  contained  beach- 
fleas,  which  are  very  common  in  the  lake.  The  mad  toms  lie 
among  the  Chara  where  these  Crustacea  are  plentiful. 

We  thus  see  that  the  cat-fishes  as  a  whole  are  omnivorous,  eat- 
ing both  animal  and  vegetable  food.  The  larger  cats  feed  mainly 
on  small  fish  and  crawfish,  while  the  smaller  ones  eat  the  smaller 
Crustacea. 

5.  Buffalo-fish.     Ictiobus  cyprinella. 

A  single  specimen  of  this  large  sucker  was  found  dead  and  float- 
ing at  the  surface  in  one  of  the  deeper  parts  of  the  lake. 

It  had  not  been  dead  more  than  an  hour  or  two  when  secured, 
and  so  was  practically  freshly  caught.  It  measured  4  feet  in 
length  and  3  feet  in  girth,  and  weighed  75  pounds. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         295 

Its  stomach  was  filled  to  distention  with  chironomus  larvse  and 
the  remains  of  algae,  the  latter  so  digested  as  to  be  incapable  of 
identification.  A  few  trematodes  were  found  on  the  gills  and 
cestodes  in  the  stomach  and  intestine,  but  no  external  parasites  of 
any  kind  were  seen. 

6.  White  Sucker.     Catostonius  commersonii. 

Only  four  specimens  of  this  fish  were  examined  and  two  of 
these  were  found  dead  near  the  shore.  From  one  of  them  and 
from  the  two  freshly  caught,  were  obtained  eight  specimens  of 
Argulns  catostomi,  four  males  and  four  females.  The  stomachs 
of  these  fish  contained  only  an  indistinguishable  mass  of  dirt  and 
vegetable  remains.  Many  leeches  were  found  on  the  dead  fish  but 
it  was  impossible  to  determine  whether  they  had  fastened  to  the 
fish  before  or  after  their  death. 

7.  Hog-molly;   Stone-roller.     Hypenteliimi  nigricans. 

Two  specimens  of  this  sucker  were  obtained  from  Yellow  River 
four  miles  north  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  Their  stomachs  were 
found  to  be  filled  with  mud  and  a  mixture  of  animal  and  vegetable 
remains,  the  only  things  distinguishable  being  a  few  insect  larvae. 
No  parasites  were  found  anywhere  upon  them. 

8.  Chub  Sucker.    Erimyzon  sucetta. 

Two  specimens  of  this  sucker  also  were  obtained  from  Yellow 
River  in  connection  with  the  preceding  species.  The  stomachs  of 
both  were  empty  and  no  parasites  were  found  anywhere  upon 
them. 

9.  Blunt-nose  Minnow.     Pimephales  notatus. 

One  of  the  most  common  forms,  and  also  one  of  the  best  for 
bait  because  it  is  so  hai-dy  and  long-lived.  The  stomachs  of  five 
specimens  showed  insect  remains  and  plankton,  the  latter  chiefly 
Bosmina^  and  Cyclops. 

10.  Silver-fin.    Notropis  ivhipplii. 

Another  common  form,  and  one  greedily  eaten  by  all  the  food 
fishes.  The  stomachs  of  two  specimens  showed  insect  larvae,  water 
mites,  and  plankton. 

11.  Grass  Pike ;  Pickerel.    Esox  vermiculatus. 

A  single  specimen  of  this  pickerel  from  Lost  Lake  showed  the 
usual  fish  remains  in  the  stomach  together  with  trematodes  and 
cestodes.  A  trematode  (Azygia  tereticolle)  was  also  found  on 
the  gills,  and  a  leech  was  fastened  to  the  tongue  near  its  tip. 

*  We  have  not  endeavoicd  to  distinguish  between  the  genera   Bosmina  and  Chvdorus. 


296         Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

12.  Grayback  Minnow.     Fundulus  diaphanus. 

Abundant  in  shallow  water  and  makes  excellent  bait.  The 
stomachs  of  four  of  these  killifish  contained  several  small  snails, 
six  water  mites,  many  Bosmina  and  a  few  Cypris.  In  each  of 
them  were  also  found  several  trematode  parasites. 

13.  Top  Minnow.     Fundidus  dispar. 

Fairly  common  along  shore,  but  more  abundant  in  the  Outlet 
and  in  Lost  Lake.  The  stomach  contents  of  three  examined  con- 
sisted entirely  of  surface  plankton,  amongst  which  was  a  cope- 
podid  larva  of  Achtheres  which  also  swims  at  the  surface. 

14.  Brook  Stickleback.     Eucalia  inconstans. 

Nothing  was  learned  of  its  food  under  natural  conditions  but 
some  which  were  kept  in  an  aquarium  eagerly  snapped  up  red 
worms  (Chironomus  larvse)  and  small  entomostraca,  such  as 
Cypris,  shaken  from  the  towing  net  into  the  water. 

A  single  specimen  was  secured  in  a  good  state  of  preservation 
from  the  throat  of  a  large-mouthed  bass  which  was  just  endeavor- 
ing to  swallow  it.  There  was  nothing  recognizable  in  the  stomach 
and  no  parasites  of  any  kind  were  found. 

15.  Skipjack.     Labidesthes  siccidiis. 

This  species  is  also  abundant  in  shoal  water  along  the  shore. 
Like  the  top-minnow  it  feeds  almost  exclusively  at  the  surface, 
frequently  jumping  out  of  the  water.  Neither  this  species  nor  the 
top-minnow  is  of  much  value  for  bait  since  they  die  so  quickly 
in  the  minnow  buckets  and  when  placed  on  the  hook. 

16.  Calico  Bass.     Pomoxis  sparoides. 

Twenty  specimens  were  examined,  whose  food  so  far  as  could 
be  determined  consisted  entirely  of  plankton  and  insect  remains. 

From  the  gills  of  two  of  them  were  obtained  six  specimens  of 
Ergasilus  centrarchidarvm,  while  in  the  mouth  of  two  others  were 
found  several  leeches.  It  was  noticeable  that  the  largest  fish  ex- 
amined, one  and  a  half  and  one  pound  respectively,  were  entirely 
free  from  parasites,  while  the  smallest  ones  were  most  infested. 

17.  Red-eye;  Rock  Bass.     Amhloplites  rupestris. 

Two  hundred  and  sixty  specimens  of  this  fish  were  examined, 
and  they  were  of  all  sizes  from  one  inch  to  11  inches  in  length. 
The  small  ones  were  captured  in  a  minnow  seine,  while  the  larger 
ones  were  obtained  from  the  fishermen. 

The  food  of  the  smaller  ones,  four  inches  and  under,  was  found 
to  be  chiefly  plankton,  and  small  fish.  The  plankton  was  largely 
Bosmina,  Daphnia,  and  Cyclops,  and  there  were  also  a  few  may- 
fly and  other  insect  larvae.     Among  the  small  fish  were  two  mad 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         297 

toms,  Schilbeodes  gyrimis,  the  pectoral  spine  of  one  of  which  had 
pierced  the  stomach  wall  of  the  red-eye  that  swallowed  it,  and  was 
imbedded  in  the  flesh  of  the  body  wall.  Other  small  fish  that  could 
be  identified  amongst  the  food  of  the  red-eyes  were  Etheostoma 
iowse,  Labidesthes  sicculus,  and  Notropis  whipplii. 

On  several  occasions  some  of  the  small  red-eyes  were  kept  over 
night  in  minnow  buckets  along  with  minnows,  and  in  nearly  every 
instance  they  improved  the  opportunity  and  swallowed  some  of  the 
minnows.  From  the  stomachs  of  these  red-eyes,  in  addition  to  the 
small  fish  just  mentioned,  there  were  taken  also  specimens  of 
Pimiephales  notatus,  Notropis  cornutus,  Fundulus  dispar,  and 
Fundulus  diaphanns  meyiona. 

The  larger  red-eyes,  four  inches  and  over,  ate  mostly  crawfish, 
minnows,  and  darters  of  the  various  kinds  just  mentioned. 

For  parasites,  Ergasilus  centrarchidarum  was  found  upon  the 
gill-filaments  of  even  the  smallest  specimens  examined.  With  rare 
exceptions  the  gills  of  every  fish  contained  some  of  these  parasites, 
and  often  50  to  75  could  be  obtained  from  a  single  fish.  To  the 
gill-arches  of  the  larger  specimens  were  attached  Achtheres  am- 
bloplitis;  these  were  much  less  plentiful  than  the  Ergasilus  and 
many  of  the  fish  were  entirely  free  from  them. 

Leeches  were  found  in  the  mouth  or  on  the  fins  of  about  one- 
third  of  the  fish,  while  cestodes  and  trematodes  were  nearly  always 
present  in  the  stomach  and  intestine. 

18.  Warmouth  Bass.     Chxnobryttus  gulosus. 

Only  three  specimens  of  this  fish  were  examined,  and  nothing 
could  be  determined  as  to  the  food  of  any  of  them.  On  the  gills 
of  one  were  found  three  specimens  of  Ergasilus  centrarchidarum 
and  on  another  seven.     No  other  parasites  were  found. 

19.  Bluegill.     Lepomis  pallidns. 

One  hundred  and  fifty  of  these  sunfishes  were  examined,  includ- 
ing many  small  ones  caught  in  the  minnow  seine. 

The  smaller  ones,  like  the  smaller  red-eyes,  had  eaten  mostly 
plankton.  From  the  stomach  of  one,  three-quarters  of  an  inch  in 
length,  were  taken  many  Bosmina,  five  or  six  Cyclops,  one  Daphnia, 
and  much  that  was  indistinguishable.  From  another  fish,  two  and 
a  half  inches  long,  were  secured  two  green  beetles  and  the  re- 
mains of  other  insects.  In  a  third,  65  millimeters  in  length,  were 
many  Bosmina.  two  blue,  and  12  red,  water  mites,  and  two  insects 
like  ants.  A  fourth,  18  millimeters  in  length,  contained  several 
Cyclops,  Bosmina,  and  Daphnia  like  the  first  one,  but  in  addition 
there  were  two  copepodid  larvte  of  Achtheres.     As  these  larval 


298         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

parasites  were  attempting  to  fasten  themselves  to  the  gills  of  the 
little  fish,  they  evidently  met  their  just  deserts  and  were  swallowed. 

The  stomachs  of  the  larger  bluegills  contained  many  Chirono- 
mus  larvae.  Of  50  obtained  near  the  middle  of  August  the  stom- 
ach of  every  one  was  gorged  with  the  tender  tips  of  Potamogeton, 
Heteranthera,  Naias,  and  other  water  plants.  But  most  of  the 
vegetable  matter  was  so  chewed  and  digested  as  to  be  incapable  of 
identification. 

Ergasilus  centrarchidarnm  was  obtained  from  the  gill-filaments 
and  Achtheres  ambloplitis  from  the  gill-arches  of  a  few  fish,  but 
neither  parasite  was  at  all  common. 

To  the  sportsman,  acquainted  with  the  carnivorous  habits  of 
most  game  fishes,  this  vegetable  diet  of  the  bluegill  comes  as  a 
surprise,  but  of  course  the  fish  eats  many  animals  also.  In  the 
summer  they  eat  Potamogeton,  Ceratophyllum,  Naias,  some 
Chironomus  larvae,  and  a  few  Sphaeriums.  In  the  fall  they  eat 
large  branches  of  the  brown  bryozoan  of  the  lake,  Plumatella  poly- 
morpha,  Rivularia,  and  bits  of  Chara. 

These  bluegills  are  particularly  infested  with  leeches,  some 
being  found  on  nearly  every  fish,  and  often  eight  or  10  huddled 
together  on  the  roof  of  the  mouth  of  one  fish.  Trematodes  also 
occur  on  the  gills  and  cestodes  and  Acanthocephali  in  the  stomach 
and  intestine. 

20.  Sunfish ;  Bream.     Eupomotis  gibbosus. 

Only  six  specimens  of  this  fish  were  examined,  the  food  of  which 
consisted  of  insect  larvae,  mollusks,  and  small  crawfish.  One  ex- 
ample had  two  tapeworms  in  its  stomach,  but  there  were  no  ex- 
ternal parasites  on  the  gills  or  the  outside  of  the  body. 

21.  Small-mouthed  Black  Bass.     Microptenis  dolomieii. 
Twenty-five  specimens  of  this  fish  showed  almost  nothing  beside 

crawfish  and  minnows ;  what  there  was  of  other  material  was  so 
digested  that  it  could  not  be  identified. 

Every  bass  had  at  least  some  specimens  of  Ergasilus  centrarchi- 
daru7n  on  its  gill-filaments,  and  about  half  of  them  (11)  had  also 
Achtheres  amblojHitis  on  the  gill-arches.  There  were  usually  but 
two  or  three  of  the  latter  on  a  single  fish,  but  from  one  bass  weigh- 
ing one  and  a  half  pounds  there  were  taken  37  specimens,  includ- 
ing both  sexes  and  every  stage  of  development  from  a  copepodid 
larva  just  attached  up  to  the  mature  adult. 

Cestodes  were  also  found  on  the  gills  and  in  the  stomach,  and 
Acanthocephali  in  the  stomach  and  intestines.  A  single  leech  was 
taken  from  the  pectoral  fin  of  one  of  the  smaller  specimens. 


Lake  Maocinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         299 

22.  Large-mouthed  Bass.     Micropterus  salmoides. 

Fifteen  of  these  fish  were  obtained  for  examination  during  the 
summer,  and  in  most  of  them  the  digestive  tract  contained  noth- 
ing that  could  be  identified  with  certainty.  From  three  were  ob- 
tained crawfish,  and  from  one  of  these  and  four  others  the  remains 
of  small  fish.  Five  young  fry  taken  in  the  minnow  seine  gave  bet- 
ter results.  One,  45  millimeters  long  contained  many  Cypris, 
Daphnia,  and  other  entcmostraca,  one  Chironomus  larva,  and  an 
Achtheres  copepodid  larva.  Another,  the  same  lengih,  contained 
the  same  entomostraca  and  their  eggs,  and  a  strange  alga.  A 
third,  52  millimeters  long,  had  its  stomach  nearly  filled  with  amphi- 
pods.  A  fourth,  55  millimeters  in  length  contained  an  Achtheres 
larva  and  a  lot  of  indeterminable  material.  The  fifth  one,  70  milli- 
meters long,  contained  only  fish  remains. 

All  the  larger  fish  and  four  of  the  small  ones  contained  cestodes 
and  Acanthocephali ;  the  fourth  small  one  just  enumerated  yielded 
four  species  of  these  parasites  from  the  stomach  alone. 

Achtheres  amhloiJlitis  was  found  on  the  gill-arches  of  four  of 
the  large  fish,  and  Erga.silns  centrarchidaruni  on  the  gill-filaments 
of  four  of  the  smaller  ones. 

23.  Wall-eyed  Pike;  "Salmon".     Stizostedion  vitreum. 
Twenty-four  of  these  perch  were  obtained  for  examination,  the 

largest  of  which  weighed  four  pounds  and  the  smallest  a  pound 
and  a  half.  The  only  thing  obtained  from  their  stomachs  in  the 
way  of  food  was  the  remains  of  small  fish,  too  far  digested  in  every 
instance  to  allow  of  identification. 

They  were  all  badly  infested  with  Acanthocephali,  six  or  eight 
large  specimens  being  often  found  in  the  stomach  of  a  single  fish. 
Trematodes  were  also  common  in  the  stomach  and  intestines. 
Ergasilus  centimrchidariim  in  small  numbers  was  found  on  the 
gill-filaments  of  three  of  the  fish. 

No  leeches  were  found  on  any  of  the  fish,  but  this  is  no  doubt 
partly  due  to  the  fact  that  during  the  summer  the  walleyes  stay 
in  deep  water.  In  the  spring  when  thej^  come  into  shallow  water 
to  breed  they  are  probably  as  badly  infested  with  leeches  here 
in  this  lake  as  they  have  been  found  to  be  elsewhere. 

The  author  had  the  privilege  of  examining  200  walleyes  at  the 
Hatching  Station  at  Swanton,  Vermont,  on  the  extreme  northern 
end  of  Lake  Champlain,  in  the  spring  of  1905. 

With  very  few  exceptions  every  fish  had  at  least  a  few  leeches 
somewhere  on  its  body,  and  from  the  roof  of  the  mouth  of  one  four- 
pound  female  were  taken  40  large  specimens. 


800         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

24.  Yellow  Perch.     Perca  flavescens. 

One  hundred  and  fifty  of  these  perch  were  examined  at  differ- 
ent times,  and  in  their  stomachs  were  found  insect  larvse,  amphi- 
pods,  small  fish,  mollusk  remains,  crawfish,  and  in  the  smaller  speci- 
mens, plankton  and  a  few  algse. 

Ergasikis  centrarchidarum  was  found  on  the  gill-filaments  of 
nearly  every  fish,  but  although  careful  search  was  made  not  a  single 
specimen  of  Achtheres  was  secured. 

A  large  species  of  cestode  was  found  in  the  throat  of  many 
specimens  whither  it  seemed  to  have  crawled  from  the  stomach 
after  the  fish's  death.  Large  leeches  were  also  found  in  the  mouth 
of  50  of  the  fish ;  trematodes  and  Acanthocephali  were  found  in 
the  stomach  and  intestine  of  about  one-third  of  the  specimens.  Of 
two  examined  October  27,  1904,  one  contained  a  rather  large  rock 
crawfish,  and  the  other  a  number  of  Sphaeriums. 

One  found  dead  on  shore  November  1,  1904,  contained  a  large 
dragon-fly  larva. 

On  October  3,  1904,  many  perch  were  caught  fishing  from  the 
pier.  They  all  contained  medium  sized  crawfishes.  Of  two  perch 
about  six  inches  long  examined  October  22,  1904,  one  contained  8 
small  Physa  and  the  other  a  well  digested  fish.  Of  a  number  of 
small  perch  caught  off  the  Gravelpit  September  25,  1900,  three 
contained  crawfishes,  one  had  28  small  Physas,  five  others  had  a 
few  Physas  each,  and  one  had  two  Vivipara  opercula. 

25.  Manitou  Darter,     Percina  caprodes  zebra. 

The  largest  and  one  of  the  most  common  darters  in  the  lake. 
Eight  specimens  from  two  and  a  half  to  three  and  three-quarters 
inches  in  length  were  examined.  They  all  contained  much  indis- 
tinguishable insect  remains ;  in  four,  may-fly  larvse  could  be  recog- 
nized, in  two  others  beach  fleas,  and  in  one  Bosmina,  Daphnia  and 
Chironomus  larvae. 

26.  Johnny  Darter.    Boleoso7na  nigrum. 

Another  very  common  species  found  everywhere  in  shallow 
water.  Of  the  five  specimens  examined,  two  yielded  beach  fleas, 
two  Chironomus  larvae,  and  one  an  ant-like  insect  which  could  not 
be  determined.  In  addition  they  all  contained  partly  digested  in- 
sect remains,  and  one  had  a  trematode  parasite  in  its  stomach. 

27.  Iowa  Darter.    Etheostoma  iowx. 

Fairly  common  along  shore  in  the  shallow  water  where  it  lurks 
amid  the  algte  on  the  bottom.  Of  the  three  specimens  examined 
each  contained  several  beach  fleas  and  a  mass  of  indistinguishable 
insect  remains. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         301 

The  algse  and  water  plants  furnish  ideal  breeding  places  for 
these  entomostraca  and  insect  larvse  on  which  the  minnows  and 
darters  feed,  and  so  long  as  they  remain  there  need  be  no  fear  of 
any  diminution  in  this  important  food  item. 

Amongst  their  other  food  the  minnows  which  frequent  the 
surface  eat  more  or  less  of  the  larvse  of  the  parasitic  copepods 
which  infest  the  larger  food  fish.  They  thus  not  only  serve  as  food 
for  the  larger  fish,  but  also  are  of  great  value  in  helping  to  keep 
these  obnoxious  parasites  within  due  bounds. 

This  double  service  greatly  increases  their  economic  value  and 
makes  their  preservation  a  matter  of  considerable  importance. 

There  is  every  probability  that  the  darters  which  frequent  the 
eel  grass  at  the  bottom  of  the  lake  feed  to  some  extent  upon  the 
small  leeches  which  breed  there.  These  leeches  are  the  worst 
enemies  of  the  food  fish,  and  anything  that  contributes  to  their  de- 
struction is  worthy  of  careful  fostering  and  protection. 

Such  being  the  relation  between  the  minnows  and  darters 
and  the  food  fish  the  following  facts  become  worthy  of  careful 
consideration : 

1.  None  of  the  darters  and  only  three  or  four  of  the  minnows 
are  of  any  value  as  bait.  They  die  quickly  in  the  minnow  buckets 
and  still  more  quickly  when  placed  upon  the  hook. 

Every  one  that  dies  in  a  minnow  bucket  acts  as  a  killing  agent  to 
the  minnows  left  alive,  and  every  one  put  upon  a  hook  decreases 
by  so  much  the  angler's  chance  for  success. 

2.  The  very  kinds  that  are  of  least  value  as  bait  are  of  most 
service  in  keeping  down  the  parasites  which  infest  the  food  fish. 
Under  natural  conditions  also  they  are  as  often  eaten  by  the  large 
fish  as  any  of  the  bait  species. 

3.  In  seining  for  minnow  bait  all  kinds  of  minnows  and  dar- 
ters get  into  the  net,  and  nearly  always  the  young  fry  of  larger  fish, 
particularly  those  of  the  large  and  small-mouthed  bass,  bluegills, 
red-eyes,  sunfish,  and  catfish. 

4.  Very  few  of  the  fishermen  and  none  of  the  boys  who  seme 
for  minnows  can  distinguish  these  different  kinds  one  from 
another.  Those  who  can  do  so  have  never  been  taught  the  eco- 
nomic value  of  these  small  fish,  and,  if  they  stop  to  think  at  all,  con- 
sider them  good  for  nothing  if  they  do  not  make  suitable  bait. 

Consequently  the  good  ones,  or  usually  all  that  are  large  enough, 
are  put  in  the  minnow  bucket,  and  the  rest  are  left  to  die  on  the 
shore  where  the  seine  was  pulled  out  and  examined. 

5.  Such  indiscriminate  destruction  is  a  serious  menace  to  the 


302         Lake  Maxmkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

fishing  interests.  The  supply  of  bait,  if  obtained  in  this  manner, 
is  by  no  means  "inexhaustible"  as  Judge  Capron  would  have  us  be- 
lieve. And  worse  than  all  is  the  wanton  destruction  of  small  fish 
that  are  of  no  value  directly  to  the  angler,  but  are  of  immense  im- 
portance in  the  economy  of  the  fish  life  of  the  lake.  Hence  the 
following  recommendations  seem  in  order : 

a.  Some  means  should  be  taken  to  acquaint  the  fishermen  and 
especially  the  seine  boys  with  the  common  minnows  and  darters, 
and  with  such  fish  fry  as  they  are  likely  to  get  in  their  seines. 

A  collection  of  the  common  species,  well  labelled  and  placed  in 
the  office  of  the  hotels  frequented  by  fishermen  would  help  greatly 
in  this  direction.  The  publication  of  a  small  folder  setting  forth 
these  facts  briefly  and  plainly,  and  its  free  distribution  among 
fishermen  would  also  tend  to  arouse  their  interest  and  turn  it  in 
the  right  direction. 

h.  There  is  already  a  law  which  limits  the  size  of  the  seine 
that  can  be  used  in  catching  minnows.  There  should  be  a  corollary 
to  that  law  making  it  compulsory  to  throw  back  alive  into  the 
water  everything  that  was  not  kept  for  bait. 

c.  There  should  be  some  restriction  in  the  use  of  minnows. 
Most  anglers  take  too  many  in  their  buckets,  and  they  die  rapidly 
and  are  thrown  away  without  having  served  any  legitimate  pur- 
pose. 

Insect  Larvfe 

Amid  the  wealth  of  insect  forms  which  surround  the  lake  and 
teem  in  its  waters,  a  few  may  be  selected  as  of  more  importance  in 
consequence  of  their  value  as  fish  food. 

I.     The  Diptera.     Two-winged  Flies. 

This  immense  order  is  represented  by  an  abundance  of  the 
aquatic  larvse  of  the  Culicidse  (mosquito)  and  Chironomidse 
(midge)   families. 

Species  of  Chironomus  are  particularly  abundant,  and  the  long 
jelly  strings  containing  their  eggs  are  common  everywhere  among 
the  algse  during  the  earlier  part  of  the  season.  Some  of  these  eggs 
were  hatched  and  reared  in  aquariums  and  it  was  found  that  the 
young  larvse  ate  Spirogyra  and  similar  algse  greedily. 

These  larvse  are  eaten  by  many  of  the  fish  in  the  lake,  notably 
the  crappie,  the  darters,  young  bass  fry,  and  even  by  the  huge 
buffalo-fish. 

The  larvse  of  some  culicid  were  found  in  the  stomachs  of  two 
darters,  Etheosoma  iowx  and  Percina  caprodes,  and  in  the  young 
fry  of  Eupomotis  gihhosiis  and  Perca  fiavescens. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         303 

These  Ciilicid?e  also  furnish  food  for  the  dragon-flies  and  damsel- 
flies  ;  the  adult  dragon-fly  eats  the  adult  mosquito,  gnat,  midge,  etc., 
while  the  dragon-fly  nymph  feeds  just  as  voraciously  on  their  wrig- 
gler larvse.  The  larger  fish  feed  upon  the  dragon-flies,  both  adults 
and  nymphs,  and  thus  indirectly  upon  these  Diptera. 

II.     The  Ephemerida.     May-flies. 

These  may-flies  or  shad-flies  are  all  aquatic,  and  their  nymphs 
can  be  found  everywhere  in  countless  numbers  amid  the  algae  and 
near  the  surface  of  the  water.  Several  times  during  the  early 
summer  the  tow  consisted  almost  entirely  of  these  nymphs  and 
their  cast  skins  from  which  the  sub-imagos  had  emerged. 

These  were  the  larger  species  having  a  limited  period  of  emer- 
gence, the  adults  of  which  suddenly  appear  in  countless  numbers 
along  the  lake  shore  and  as  suddenly  disappear. 

At  such  times  the  sub-imagos  and  imagos  fairly  covered  the 
screens  at  the  doors  and  windows  after  nightfall,  and  there  was 
no  difficulty  in  collecting  a  sixteen-ounce  bottle  full  every  evening 
around  the  lantern  on  the  wharf.  In  the  morning  the  entire  top 
of  the  wharf  would  be  found  covered  with  the  sub-imago  skins 
fastened  as  closely  together  as  they  could  stand. 

But  most  of  the  species  are  not  thus  limited,  and  only  a  few 
adults  emerge  at  a  time,  the  nymphs  being  taken  commonly  in  the 
tow  during  the  entire  summer  up  to  the  first  of  August.  The  lar- 
vae are  very  active  and  swim  about  among  the  water  plants,  feed- 
ing for  the  most  part  upon  algse,  including  beside  the  plankton 
scums,  diatoms  and  coniervae.  The  larva  lives  from  one  to  three 
years,  thus  compensating  in  a  measure  for  the  short  life  of  the 
adult. 

Both  larvse  and  adults  are  eaten  by  nearly  every  fish  in  the 
lake,  and  thus  constitute  an  important  item  in  their  food. 

In  particular  they  are  a  favorite  food  with  the  crappie,  the 
redeye,  the  perch,  the  darters,  the  catfish,  the  suckers,  and  the 
minnows.  The  fact  to  which  Howard  calls  attention  in  his  Insect 
Book  is  worthy  of  repetition  here  in  emphasizing  the  value  of 
these  insects  for  fish  food.  Imitation  shad-flies  furnish  one  of  the 
best  possible  baits  in  regions  where  the  real  insects  abound.  The 
flies  known  as  duns,  drakes,  and  spinners,  which  are  used  by  Eng- 
lish anglers,  are  imitations  of  Ephemerids.  One  of  the  best  arti- 
ficial baits  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  is  known  as  the  Hildebrandt  spin- 
ner, in  which  the  hook  is  covered  with  a  tuft  of  feathers  to  simu- 
late an  Ephemerid. 

20—17618 


304         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

III.     The  Odonata.     Dragon-flies  and  Damsel-flies. 

Treatment  of  the  species  of  this  order  in  their  relation  to  fish- 
life  will  be  found  in  the  chapter  of  this  report  (p.  648)  giving  a 
systematic  list  of  the  species  of  Dragon-flies  and  Damsel-flies  known 
to  occur  in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee. 

Leeches 

These  are  found  in  great  numbers  everywhere  around  the  lake, 
and  it  is  safe  to  say  that  there  is  not  a  species  of  fish  that  does  not 
suffer  from  their  ravages.  They  are  frequently  found  on  mussels 
also,  as  well  as  on  turtles,  crawfish,  and  mud-puppies.  And  they 
do  not  refrain  from  attacking  cattle  and  even  human  beings  while 
wading  through  the  eel-grass  near  the  shore. 

They  often  congregate  in  considerable  numbers  upon  some  ani- 
mal which  has  been  subjected  to  adverse  conditions  and  make  it 
so  much  the  harder  for  it  to  recuperate.  Fifty-three  specimens  of 
Glossiphonia  pafxisitica  were  taken  from  the  neck  of  a  snapping 
turtle  whose  shell  was  only  seven  inches  long.  The  turtle  was 
fairly  clean  when  caught  but  had  been  kept  for  ten  days  in  a  fish- 
car  with  several  others  of  its  kind. 

The  leeches  are  more  abundant  at  certain  seasons  than  at 
others,  especially  in  the  spring,  and  there  can  be  no  doubt  that  they 
at  least  contribute  to  the  killing  of  the  fishes,  which  perish  in  such 
numbers  at  that  season. 

They  constitute  therefore  a  serious  menace  to  the  fishing  inter- 
ests ;  once  let  them  get  the  upper  hand  and  they  would  destroy  the 
fish  rapidly.  Hence  it  is  of  interest  to  ascertain  what  keeps  them 
down  and  prevents  their  multiplication  in  sufficient  numbers  to 
prove  destructive. 

No  study  of  this  problem  has  ever  been  published  so  far  as 
known ;  indeed,  but  very  few  papers  have  appeared  upon  American 
leeches,  and  they  are  concerned  entirely  with  morphology  and 
systematization.  The  most  that  can  be  done  here  is  to  call  atten- 
tion to  the  importance  of  the  study  and  record  a  few  observations. 

Leeches  lay  their  eggs  in  cocoons  which  are  either  deposited  in 
moist  earth  or  glued  to  some  object  in  the  water.  In  one  or  two 
genera  the  cocoon  is  covered  by  the  body  of  the  parent,  who  fur- 
ther cares  for  the  brood  by  carrying  them  about  with  her  for  some 
time  after  they  have  hatched.  But  usually  on  hatching  the  young 
seek  the  shelter  of  the  algee  and  water  plants  in  the  shallow  water 
along  shore.  From  this  shelter  they  emerge  to  fasten  upon  what- 
ever host  they  may  select. 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         305 

Here  among  the  algse,  therefore,  we  should  look  for  the  chief 
enemies  of  the  leeches,  and  this  period  immediately  after  hatching 
must  constitute  a  critical  period  in  their  lives. 

There  are  two  groups  of  animals  which  frequent  the  alg^e,  both 
of  which  probably  eat  many  of  the  young  leeches,  although  unfortu- 
nately there  is  no  direct  proof  of  such  a  fact  in  the  observations 
here  recorded.  The  importance  of  the  leeches  was  not  realized 
until  the  very  close  of  the  summer's  work  and  it  was  then  impos- 
sible to  secure  the  evidence. 

The  first  is  the  group  of  small  fishes  called  darters,  that  live 
and  breed  amid  the  algae.  In  the  few  whose  stomachs  were  ex- 
amined were  found  the  larvae  of  many  animals  that  breed  in  the 
algse  and  of  some  parasites  (see  p.  300).  There  is  good  reason 
to  believe  that  further  investigation  of  the  food  of  these  fishes 
would  show  that  they  occasionally  eat  leeches  also. 

The  second  group  is  even  more  promising;  it  is  the  dragon-fly 
nymphs  whose  greed  and  voracity  are  only  too  well  known. 

They  seize  and  devour  everything  in  sight,  and  it  must  happen 
sometimes  that  they  get  hold  of  leeches  amongst  their  other  prey. 
At  least  there  is  promise  enough  in  these  two  groups  to  warrant  a 
careful  study  in  the  future. 

The  fishes  get  back  at  the  leeches  in  another  way  also,  since 
the  latter  are  often  found  in  the  fish's  stomach  mingled  with  other 
food.  Marshall  and  Gilbert,  in  their  "Notes  on  the  Food  and 
Parasites  of  some  fresh-water  Fishes  from  the  Lakes  at  Madison, 
Wisconsin"  (Appendix  to  the  Report  of  the  Commissioner  of  Fish- 
eries for  1904,  pp.  513-532)  record  leeches  amongst  the  food  of 
Esox  lucius,  Lepomis  pallidus,  and  Mic7'opterus  salmoides. 

That  they  are  eaten  by  other  fish  also  seems  probable  from  the 
testimony  of  City  Marshal  Fisher  of  Culver,  who  says  they  make 
the  best  fish  bait  he  ever  tried.  All  sorts  of  fish  bite  at  them 
eagerly,  bass,  perch,  bluegills,  sunfish,  etc.  They  are  tough,  so  the 
fish  cannot  tear  them  from  the  hook  easily,  and  often  two  or  more 
fish  can  be  caught  with  the  same  bait. 

Here  is  a  good  suggestion  for  the  fishermen,  especially  when 
other  bait  is  scarce,  and  one  that  will  help  to  rid  the  fish  of  their 
worst  enemy. 

Copepod  Parasites 

The  Copepod  Parasites  will  be  found  fully  treated  in  connec- 
tion with  the  other  Crustaceans,  pp.  717-720. 


306         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

LIST  OF  SPECIES  OF  FISHES 

In  the  following  annotated  list  we  use  the  nomenclature  and 
sequence  of  species  of  Jordan  and  Evermann's  Fishes  of  North 
and  Middle  America. 

1.     WESTERN  BROOK  LAMPREY 

LAMPETRA   AEPYPTERA    (Abbott) 

No  lampreys  have  been  seen  by  us  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  itself 
and  it  is  possible  that  they  do  not  occur  there.  A  few  catfishes 
were  found  dead  along  the  east  side  of  the  lake  in  the  spring  of 
1901,  and  from  marks  on  their  sides  it  was  thought  that  they  might 
have  been  killed  by  lampreys,  but  this  is  by  no  means  certain. 

Young  lampreys,  however,  are  not  rare  in  the  Outlet  of  the  lake 
and  in  some  of  the  smaller  lakes  of  the  region.  Fishermen  about 
the  lake  who  go  seining  for  minnows  in  the  Outlet  and  other 
streams  and  waters  of  the  region  report  the  capture  of  "young 
eels." 

On  June  18,  1901,  one  of  the  fishermen  living  near  the  lake 
reported  that  he  had  two  young  eels,  obtained  while  seining  for 
minnows  in  an  old  outlet  of  a  drained  mud  pond.  He  said  that 
when  the  lake  was  drained  it  was  quite  full  of  young  eels,  and  that 
he  could  get  many  more  where  the  two  had  been  caught.  The 
supposed  eels  were  found  to  be  lampreys.  In  1906,  a  fisherman 
reported  finding  "young  eels"  in  the  Outlet,  but  none  was  seen 
by  us  at  that  time. 

On  October  7,  1907,  a  trip  was  taken  with  men  going  to  seine 
for  minnows  at  a  point  in  Outlet  Creek,  about  3  miles  below  the 
lake.  The  net  was  dragged  through  a  hole  with  a  muddy  bottom, 
and  upon  being  drawn  ashore  was  found  to  contain  a  large  amount 
of  mud  in  which  were  several  lampreys.  A  few  more  were  taken  in 
a  subsequent  haul,  the  total  number  taken  in  4  hauls  being  14. 

None  of  the  specimens  seen  was  adult;  the  largest  obtained 
were  the  two  secured  in  June,  1901,  one  of  which  was  132  mm., 
and  the  other  124  mm.  in  length.  This  is  less  than  half  the  length 
given  for  the  adult,  which  is  given  as  12  inches  (304.8  mm.).  Of 
the  14  specimens  secured  in  the  fall  of  1907,  the  largest  was  116 
mm.  and  the  smallest  only  29  mm.  long. 

An  interesting  characteristic  of  this  species  is  the  size  it  at- 
tains while  still  in  an  immature  condition ;  none  of  the  specimens 
obtained  has  either  teeth  or  eyes  developed,  while  considerably 
smaller  examples  of  the  related  /.  castanens,  with  which  it  was 
compared,  have  teeth  and  eyes  well  formed.     Lampetra  ivilderi 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Snrvey         307 

also  has  well-developed  teeth  and  eyes  before  it  reaches  the  size 
of  the  specimens  of  /.  aepyptera  at  hand. 

The  following  is  a  description  of  the  specimen  116  mm.  in 
length : 

Head  5.8  in  length;  depth  19.3;  dorsal  finfold  beginning  as  a 
low  ridge  a  short  distance  behind  last  gill-opening,  reaching  its 
greatest  height  (about  8  mm.)  a  little  behind  vent,  no  notch  sepa- 
rating it  from  caudal ;  caudal  fold  quite  low ;  the  dorsal  and  ventral 
folds  extending  nearly  to  end  of  body;  barely  any  membrane 
beyond  caudal  tip  of  body ;  ventral  fold  similar  to  dorsal,  beginning 
as  a  mere  ridge  a  little  behind  the  last  gill-opening.  Body  ellip- 
tical in  cross-section,  not  much  compressed,  the  thickness  from 
side  to  side  being  about  five-sixths  the  depth;  gill-openings  7  in 
number,  branchial  space  about  9  in  body;  nostril  small,  single, 
median,  consisting  of  a  small  pore  somewhat  lengthened  along  the 
axis  of  the  body,  surrounded  by  3  low  flaps  forming  an  equilateral 
triangle  with  one  apex  at  the  anterior  end ;  upper  lip  a  prominent 
horseshoe-shaped  projection,  thick  at  the  base,  thinner  at  the  edges, 
curving  somewhat  downward  along  each  side  and  ending  in  a 
rounded  lobe ;  lower  lip  a  low  open  V-shaped  ridge ;  buccal  disk 
covered  with  small,  somewhat  fringed  flaps  or  papillae;  teeth  and 
eyes  not  developed. 

Color:  Back  and  sides  slaty  blue,  belly  whitish,  the  branchial 
area  somewhat  paler  thyn  the  remaining  portion  of  the  sides ;  the 
small  dusky  spots  mentioned  in  current  descriptions  as  being  pres- 
ent above  each  gill-opening  and  usually  conspicuous  even  in  the 
larvss,  are  not  present  in  our  (alcoholic)  specimens.  The  num- 
ber of  muscular  impressions  between  the  last  gill-opening  and 
vent  in  the  specimens  examined  is  somewhat  larger  than  given  in 
current  descriptions,  there  being  53  to  55  instead  of  51. 

These  larval  lampreys  are  exceedingly  active  little  creatures, 
and  move  rapidly  through  the  water  or  mud  by  quick  lateral 
flexions  of  the  body,  their  actions  much  resembling  those  of  some 
of  the  aquatic  salamanders  in  this  respect.  They  appear  to  spend 
most  of  their  time  in  the  mud,  upon  which  they  feed  for  the  sake 
of  the  microscopic  organisms  contained  in  it,  and  the  fringed  flaps 
on  the  buccal  area  probably  assist  in  washing  the  mud  into  the 
mouth,  or  in  selecting  food.  The  stomach  of  an  example  100 
mm.  long  was  examined.  The  intestine,  a  straight  tube  from  the 
mouth  to  the  vent,  was  pretty  well  filled  with  mud.  The  mud  was 
examined  and  found  to  contain  numerous  diatoms,  among 
which  Navicula  was  represented  by  several  species;  species  of 
Synedra,  Epithemia,  Gomphonema,  Stauroneis  and  Cymbella  and 


308         Luke  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

an  example  of  Cymatopleura  solea  were  also  present.  In  addition 
to  the  diatoms  2  examples  of  the  desmid,  Closterium  dianse,  one  of 
Gleocapsa,  one  of  Pediastrum,  and  2  tests  of  the  rhizopod  Euglypha 
alveolata  were  found. 

It  is  quite  likely  that  this  actively  wig-gling  creature  might 
make  an  attractive  bait  for  some  species  of  fishes,  although  it  is 
not  used  at  the  lake.  Prof.  Simon  H.  Gage*  says  of  a  similar  form 
{Lampetra  wilderi)  "from  the  tenacity  with  which  the  larvae  re- 
tain life  they  have  been  found  excellent  bait  for  all  kinds  of  ordi- 
nary carnivorous  fishes.  The  fishermen  along  the  Cayuga  and 
Seneca  Lake  inlets  make  considerable  use  of  the  larvae  for  bait. 
This  form  of  bait  has  not  up  to  the  present  been  much  used  in  the 
lake  fisheries,  as  apparently  its  excellence  is  unknown.  At  Owego, 
on  the  Susquehannah  River,  however,  quite  a  business  is  carried 
on  in  supplying  larval  lampreys  to  fishermen  of  all  kinds,  and 
many  are  shipped  to  distant  points."  The  larvae  are,  therefore, 
to  be  regarded  as  "non-injurious  and  positively  beneficial  by  serv- 
ing for  bait.  The  adult  Lamprey,  however,  is  injurious,  and  is 
a  common  parasite  of  the  sturgeon  and  other  large  fishes.  The 
following  is  a  description  of  the  adult  form : 

Body  considerably  compressed ;  head  broad,  with  a  large  buccal 
disk,  which  is  moderately  fringed ;  teeth  strong  and  nearly  uniform, 
the  2  supraoral  teeth  being  similar  to  those  on  the  rest  of  the  disk; 
lateral  teeth  all  simple;  infraoral  cusps  connivent,  7  in  number, 
the  middle  ones  the  longest;  upper  margin  of  dorsal  scarcely  de- 
pressed in  front  of  the  vent;  origin  or  dorsal  nearly  midway  be- 
tween tip  of  snout  and  end  of  tail ;  51  muscular  impressions  between 
gill-openings  and  vent.    Head  7.5 ;  depth  12. 

Color  silvery,  bluish  above,  sometimes  with  bluish  spots;  a 
small  dusky  spot  above  each  gill-opening,  usually  conspicuous  even 
in  the  larva.     Leng-th  12  inches. 

2.     PADDLEFISH 

POLYODON  SPATHULA    (Walbaum) 

The  Paddlefish,  known  also  as  the  Spoonbill  Cat,  Duckbill  Cat 
and  Spade-fish,  is  a  fish  of  the  shallow  lakes  and  bayous  and  slug- 
gish lowland  streams  of  the  Mississippi  Valley.  It  is  perhaps  most 
abundant  in  those  portions  of  Mississippi,  Tennessee  and  Arkansas 
bordering  on  the  Mississippi,  though  it  occurs  as  far  south  as  Texas 
and  as  far  north  as  Minnesota.  It  is  fairly  common  in  the  Ohio 
River,  at  least  as  far  east  as  Pittsburgh,  and  a  single  example,  said 
to  have  been  6  feet  2  inches  long  and  weighing  123.5  pounds,  has 

*  The  Lake  and   Brook   Lampreys  of   New   York.     Wilder   Quarter-Century   Book,    1893,   457. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  a7id  Biological  Survey         309 

been  reported  from  Chautauqua  Lake.  The  senior  author  has 
taken  it  in  the  Missouri  Basin  as  far  west  as  Chamberlain,  South 
Dakota.  At  least  one  specimen  has  been  taken  in  Lake  Erie* ; 
which  it  had  probably  reached  through  the  Wabash  and  Erie  Canal. 

The  Paddlefish  attains  a  considerable  length,  but  as  much  of  this 
is  taken  up  by  the  bill,  it  does  not  weigh  heavy  in  proportion. 

Mr.  George  D.  Shannon  of  Penns  Grove,  New  Jersey,  reports 
one  from  Natchez,  Mississippi,  7  feet  in  total  length,  which  weighed 
about  50  pounds  dressed.  A  male  example  caught  in  White  River 
near  Chamberlain,  South  Dakota,  was  4  feet  5  inches  long  and 
weighed  18  pounds.  The  average  length  of  those  now  caught  near 
Natchez  does  not  exceed  4  or  5  feet,  and  the  weight  (dressed),  30 
or  40  pounds.  A  large  number  examined  at  Louisville,  Kentucky, 
in  May,  1898,  averaged  very  much  smaller,  though  all  were  mature 
fish.     They   varied   in   v»^eight    (dressed)    from   .5   to   15   pounds. 


Paddlefish    (Polijodo)!   spathula) 


Some  were  quite  small,  not  exceeding  a  foot  in  length,  exclusive 
of  the  bill  and  tail.  The  female  is  larger  than  the  male.  Mr. 
Shannon  gives  the  average  length  of  the  females  taken  at  Natchez 
as  5  feet  4  inches,  and  the  weight  40  pounds,  and  of  the  males  4 
feet  average  length  and  30  pounds  weight.  The  weight  of  the  roe 
is  given  by  Mr.  Shannon  as  5  to  12  pounds,  but  not  usually  exceed- 
ing the  former  figure.  The  weights  given  by  Mr.  Shannon  seem 
rather  large  for  the  lengths,  and  verifications  are  much  to  be  de- 
sired. 

The  only  record  of  the  occurrence  of  this  fish  in  Lake  j\Iaxin- 
kuckee  has  been  furnished  by  Mr.  M.  V.  McGilliard  of  Indianap- 
olis.    In   1891   or   1892   he  was  present  when   a   Paddlefish  was 

*  McCormick,  Descriptive  list  of  the  fishes  of  Lorain   County,   Ohio,   Laboratory  Bull.   No.   2, 
Oberlin   College,   9,    1892. 


310         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

caught  with  hook  and  line  in  this  lake.  The  fish  was  about  14 
inches  long  and  weighed  about  2  or  2.5  pounds.  Mr.  McGilliard 
has  for  many  years  been  familiar  with  this  species  in  the  Illinois 
River  and  elsewhere,  and  his  identification  is  entirely  trustworthy. 

It  is  rather  surprising  that  this  fish  has  not  been  more  fre- 
quently reported  from  the  lake.  It  is  possible  that  the  dam  which 
existed  until  recently  in  the  Outlet  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee  has  been 
effective  in  keeping  it  out.  It  is  not  uncommon  in  the  Wabash 
River,  at  least  as  far  up  as  Logansport,  and  it  has  also  been  re- 
ported from  Lake  Manitou  at  Rochester,  only  about  10  miles  east 
of  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  and  from  Tippecanoe  Lake  about  35  miles 
northeast. 

Very  large  examples  have  been  reported  from  Lake  Manitou. 
The  largest  is  said  to  have  been  speared  many  years  ago  (sometime 
in  the  fifties)  by  Wilson  Newell,  and  it  weighed  173  pounds.  While 
spearing  bass  from  the  shore  in  a  little  channel  connecting  Manitou 
or  Devils  Lake  and  Clear  Lake  he  saw  the  fish  working  its  way 
through  the  channel  and  struck  it  with  his  spear,  leaving  it  fast  in 
the  fish.  The  shaft  fastened  to  the  spear  by  a  long  cord  becom- 
ing detached,  floated  and  indicated  the  course  of  the  fish.  Newell 
followed  the  fish  all  day,  finally  exhausting  and  killing  it.  Another 
weighing  163  pounds  was  shot  in  the  same  lake  a  few  years  later, 
and  still  another,  7  feet  8  inches  long  and  weighing  116  pounds, 
was  caught  by  Andrew  Edwards  in  a  gillnet  about  the  middle  of 
May,  1890.  It  is  said  that  this  fish  was  a  female  and  that  "nearly 
a  wooden  pail  full  of  spawn  was  taken  from  it."  One  has  been 
recorded  from  Tippecanoe  Lake  which  weighed  150  pounds.  These 
are  the  largest  paddlefishes  of  which  we  have  any  trustworthy  rec- 
ord. 

The  Spoonbill  Cat  is,  of  course,  not  a  catfish  at  all,  it  being  more 
closely  related  to  the  sturgeons  than  to  the  catfishes.  It  is  the  only 
American  representative  of  the  family  to  which  it  belongs ;  indeed, 
the  family  has  but  two  known  species,  the  present  one  and  another 
(Psephnriis  gladius)  which  is  known  only  from  the  fresh-waters  of 
China.  The  family  is  an  old  one  which  has  been  long  upon  the 
earth.  Because  of  its  representing  an  ancient  type,  the  Paddlefish 
is  of  much  interest  to  zoologists,  and  especially  to  embryologists, 
though  its  embryology  has  never  been  fully  worked  out.  The 
young  are  rarely  seen. 

According  to  Dr.  George  Wagner,  who  studied  the  habits  of  the 
Spoonbill  at  Lake  Pepin,  this  fish  lives  practically  always  near  the 
surface  in  deep  water ;  it  feeds  mainly  during  the  night  and  early 
in  the  morning,  its  food  consisting  entirely  of  plankton  organisms. 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         311 

The  rostrum  or  bill  is  not,  as  is  frequently  stated,  used  in  stirring 
up  the  mud,  but  probably  serves  purely  as  a  sense  organ. 

Very  little  is  known  of  the  spawning  time  or  place  of  this  fish. 
The  little  that  is  known  indicates  that  in  the  lower  Mississippi 
Valley  the  spawning  season  is  during  February,  March  and  April, 
while  in  the  Ohio  and  northward  it  is  during  the  latter  part  of  May 
and  June.  Among  a  large  number  of  fish  examined  by  the  senior 
author  at  Louisville,  Kentucky,  during  the  third  week  in  May,  only 
a  few  were  fully  ripe.  At  that  time  the  fish  were  running  up 
stream,  swimming  near  the  surface,  and  evidently  seeking  their 
spawning  grounds,  which  are  thought  to  be  in  the  ponds  and 
bayous  along  the  river.  At  this  time  they  are  caught  in  seines 
lightly  leaded  so  as  to  fish  the  surface.  At  other  seasons  the  Pad- 
dlefish  may  be  caught  on  set-lines. 

The  greatest  enemy  of  the  Spoonbill  is  the  silvery  lamprey, 
Ichthyomyzon  concolor.  Dr.  Wagner  reports  as  many  as  20  of 
these  lampreys  having  been  taken  from  a  single  Spoonbill,  while 
Mr.  Horace  Beach  reports  "as  many  as  a  half  a  dozen  on  a  fish  in 
the  spring  of  the  year",  and  says  that  the  fishes  leap  out  of  the 
water  and  fall  on  their  sides,  probably  to  rid  themselves  of  the 
parasites. 

Not  until  recently  was  the  Paddlefish  considered  of  any  value, 
its  flesh  being  regarded  as  worthless;  but  now  it  is  one  of  the  most 
highly  valued  and  most  assiduously  sought  fishes  of  the  Missis- 
sippi Valley.  It  is  chiefly  sought  on  account  of  its  roe,  which  is 
manufactured  into  caviar,  for  which  it  is  regarded  as  not  inferior 
to  the  sturgeon.  The  eggs  are  greenish  black  in  color,  about  three 
times  the  size  of  shad  eggs,  and  very  numerous.  The  flesh  of  the 
Paddlefish,  though  coarse,  is  nutritious  and  not  unpalatable,  closely 
resembling  that  of  the  catfish  when  fresh,  and  when  smoked  not 
much  inferior  to  that  of  the  sturgeon.  There  is  great  demand 
for  the  roe,  and  the  flesh  always  finds  a  ready  sale.  One  dealer 
at  Louisville,  during  the  four  years  preceding  1901,  handled  over 
700,000  of  these  fish. 

Head,  with  opercular  flap,  more  than  half  total  length ;  without 
flap,  about  5 ;  opercular  flap  long,  nearly  reaching  ventrals ;  pre- 
maxillary  extending  far  behind  the  small  eye;  skin  smooth  or 
nearly  so,  except  for  the  rhombic  plates  on  sides  of  tail ;  ventrals 
near  middle  of  body,  doi'sal  well  behind  them;  anal  mostly  behind 
the  dorsal  and  somewhat  larger,  these  fins  somewhat  falcate;  fin- 
rays  slender;  spiracle  with  a  minute  barbel;  isthmus  papillose  in 
the  young ;  spatula  broad,  2.5  to  4  in  length  of  body,  proportionally 
longer  in  the  young.     Color  pale  olivaceous;  length  2  to  7  feet. 


312         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

3.     LONG-NOSED  GAR 

LEPISOSTEUS  OSSEUS   (LinniEus) 

The  Long-nosed  Gar  occurs  in  the  Great  Lakes  and  all  the  rivers 
of  the  United  States  from  Vermont  to  the  Rio  Grande  and  west  to 
Kansas  and  Nebraska.  It  is  generally  abundant  and  very  variable, 
the  local  variations  having  given  rise  to  not  fewer  than  28  specific 
names. 

This  fish  is,  unfortunately,  abundant  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  In 
our  seining  operations,  though  confined  chiefly  to  shallow  water 
near  shore,  numerous  examples  were  caught.  At  one  haul  with  a 
45-foot  seine  near  Norris  Inlet,  40  examples  were  taken  varying 
in  length  from  1.5  to  3  feet.  With  a  larger  seine  drawn  in  deeper 
water,  a  great  many  of  this  destructive  fish  could  doubtless  be 
caught.  They  were  occasionally  caught  in  other  hauls  of  the  seine. 
On  July  29,  1899,  a  27-inch  example  was  caught  near  the  top 
of  a  gillnet  in  8  feet  of  water,  and  on  July  21  of  the  same  year  3 
were  taken  in  one  haul  of  the  net  at  the  Academy  pier.  They  are 
also  sometimes  caught  on  hooks.  On  July  26  one  was  caught  by 
Miss  Burford  of  Indianapolis  which  was  4  feet  2  inches  long  and 
weighed  14  pounds.  On  August  16,  1900,  a  small  one  was  caught 
on  a  trot-line  set  off  Long  Point  over  night,  and  on  September  20, 
1903,  a  gar  which  was  4  feet  5  inches  long  and  weighed  16  pounds, 
probably  this  species,  was  caught  by  an  angler. 

The  Gar  has  a  habit  of  basking  on  the  surface,  especially  in 
warm  shallow  bays  during  hot  weather.  While  thus  occupied, 
they  look  very  much  like  a  stick.  It  is  possible  that  they  sometimes 
use  this  method  of  capturing  other  fishes  instead  of  chasing  them. 
In  the  latter  part  of  August,  1900,  a  fisherman  reported  that  they 
were  seen  basking  in  considerable  numbers  in  Culver  Bay,  and 
about  the  same  time  several  were  seen  on  the  Weedpatch. 
Sometimes  the  basking  fish  seem  to  be  actually  asleep.  On  August 
11,  1906,  an  example  about  9  inches  long  was  seen  basking  among 
the  weeds  near  shore  in  the  Inlet  region  and  was  nearly  caught  by 
the  hand  before  it  escaped.  It  was  reported  that  in  the  spring  of 
the  same  year  a  member  of  the  Military  Academy  saw  a  large  gar 
in  Culver  Inlet  and,  wading  in,  stabbed  it  with  a  sword.  It  was 
41  inches  long  and  weighed  14  pounds.  During  the  summer  of 
1907  little  Gars  about  6  inches  long  were  occasionally  seen  basking 
in  shallow  water  near  the  shore  of  the  upper  Mississippi  River, 
at  St.  Paul  and  in  Lake  Pepin,  and  one  was  caught  by  hand.  It 
still  had  the  long  streamer  or  filamentous  projection  extending 
from  the  upper  lobe  of  the  caudal ;  a  peculiar  feature  characteris- 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         313 

tic  of  young  Gars.  On  October  17,  1907,  after  the  water  had 
become  quite  chilly,  two  young  Gars  of  this  species  were  seen  lying 
perfectly  still  at  the  bottom  in  water  2  or  2.5  feet  deep  off  the  east 
shore  of  Long  Point.  They  looked  much  like  sticks  in  the  bottom. 
One  was  pinned  to  the  bottom  by  a  thrust  with  a  rake  which  hap- 
pened to  be  at  hand,  and  was  captured.  It  measured  12.5  inches 
in  length.     The  other  example  escaped. 

During  the  winter  the  Gars  are  occasionally  seen  through  clear 
ice.  They  are  never  up  close  against  the  ice,  but  those  seen  were 
2  feet  or  so  below  the  surface.  They  do  not  dart  away  when  seen, 
as  bass  and  most  other  fishes  do,  but  remain  stationary  or  swim 
slowly  and  unconcernedly  along.  On  December  23,  1900,  an  ex- 
ample about  2  feet  long  was  seen  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  off  the 
Gravelpit.  It  swam  along  slowly  and  was  followed  up  until  it 
stopped  and  could  not  be  urged  to  swim  farther  even  by  pounding 
and  stamping  on  the  ice.  A  trip  was  made  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
for  an  ax  and  hooks  with  which  to  capture  the  fish,  and  on  return- 
ing it  was  found  at  the  same  place.  While  the  ice  was  being  cut 
above  it,  it  started  off  and  moved  with  great  deliberation  to  the 
shore  where  it  was  hidden  by  opaque  ice. 

This  Gar  is  a  large  fish,  attaining  a  length  of  5  or  6  feet.  It  is 
a  voracious  creature,  feeding  largely  upon  the  young  of  other 
fishes,  and  is  believed  to  be  very  destructive  to  the  young  of  the 
various  food  fishes  which  inhabit  the  waters  in  which  it  is  found. 
It  is  fair  to  state,  however,  that  an  examination  of  many  stomachs 
and  their  contents  does  not  bear  out  fully  the  reputation  which  it 
has  for  destructiveness  to  other  fishes.  Small  fishes  were  fre- 
quently found  in  their  stomachs,  but  not  to  the  extent  that  popular 
belief  would  indicate.  It  is  certain,  however,  that  the  two  species 
of  Gar  in  this  lake  are  destructive  to  other  fishes,  and  it  is  not 
known  that  they  serve  any  useful  purpose  whatever.  They  are 
not  scavengers  in  any  sense  of  the  word.  They  are  essentially 
carnivorous  and  rapacious  in  their  habits,  and  the  only  fishes  upon 
which  they  could  feed  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  are  either  food  fishes 
or  species  which  serve  as  food  for  useful  species.  Sometimes  they 
fall  a  victim  to  their  own  rapacity.  One  large  example  was  found 
dead  from  trying  to  swallow  a  catfish  10  inches  long. 

Every  effort  to  reduce  the  number  of  Gars  in  the  lake  is  worthy 
of  commendation.  Whether  it  is  possible  to  rid  the  lake  entirely  of 
them  is  doubtful,  but  much  can  be  done  toward  greatly  reducing 
their  numbers  and  holding  them  in  check.  Perhaps  the  most  ef- 
fective method  would  be  by  seining.  By  using  a  large  seine  in  as 
deep  water  as  possible  and  when  the  Gars  are  out  near  shore  in 


314         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

relatively  shallow  water,  good  results  ought  to  be  obtained.  In 
the  spring,  during  early  May  and  June  when  the  Gars  are  spawn- 
ing, they  will  come  out  near  shore  and  can  then  be  seined  to  ad- 
vantage ;  and  during  the  summer  they  may  now  and  then  be  seen 
in  considerable  schools  feeding  upon  other  fishes  near  shore,  par- 
ticularly near  Norris  Inlet  and  in  Culver  and  Outlet  bays. 

Gillnets  of  1.5-  to  2.5-inch  mesh  would  also  yield  good  results. 
These  nets  should  be  set  where  the  Gars  have  been  observed  to  run, 
and  should  be  examined  at  least  once  a  day.  On  calm  sunny  days 
when  they  are  lying  at  the  surface  basking  in  the  sun,  they  could 
be  shot  from  the  deck  of  a  steamer.  They  can  also  be  caught  on 
set-lines  and  may  occasionally  be  speared.  By  taking  every  op- 
portunity to  destroy  these  fish  and  keeping  it  up  for  a  few  years,  it 
is  believed  that  their  numbers  could  be  very  greatly  reduced. 

The  Gars  are  exceedingly  prolific.  A  female  example  of  the 
Long-nosed  Gar,  3  feet  4  inches  long,  and  weighing  9  pounds,  was 
examined  by  the  senior  writer  at  Morgan  City,  Louisiana,  April 
23,  1897.  This  fish  was  in  mature  spawning  condition,  the  ovaries 
weighed  1  pound  3  ounces,  and  the  number  of  eggs  was,  by  actual 
count,  36,460.  The  spawning  time  of  the  Gars  in  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee is  during  May  and  early  June. 

Head  3  in  length  of  body;  depth  9;  eye  12  to  15  in  head,  about 
10  in  snout;  snout  about  1.5  in  head,  or  4.5  in  body;  D.  8;  A.  9; 
V.  6;  P.  1(5;  scales  about  58,-20. 

Body  long,  slender,  and  sub-cylindrical;  snout  very  long  and 
narrow,  its  length  usually  more  than  twice  that  of  rest  of  head, 
its  least  width  15  to  20  times  in  its  length. 

Color  grayish  silvery,  brightest  on  side;  under  parts  yellow- 
ish white;  snout  and  top  of  head  greenish  gray;  side  of  head  sil- 
very; snout  and  side  with  a  few  small  dark  brown  spots;  vertical 
fins  each  with  several  large  black  spots,  most  numerous  on  caudal ; 
ventrals  and  pectorals  sometimes  with  one  or  two  black  spots. 
Young  with  a  broad  dark  brown  band  from  snout  through  eye  to 
caudal,  bounded  above  by  a  narrow  pale  line,  then  by  a  broad  light 
brown  one ;  below  by  a  broad  milky-white  band ;  under  parts  white, 
dusted  over  with  fine  dark  specks,  which  assume  the  character  of 
lines  at  sides  of  belly;  fins  profusely  spotted  with  brown.  Young, 
2.25  inches  in  total  length,  are  pale  olivaceous  above,  silvery  white 
below,  with  a  broad,  somewhat  darker  lateral  band. 

The  snout  of  this  species  is  much  longer  and  narrower  than  in 
the  next.  An  examination  of  8  examples  varying  in  length  from 
2.25  to  18.5  inches,  does  not  indicate  that  there  is  any  variation  in 
the  length  of  the  snout  with  age.     The  longest  snout  possessed 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         315 

by  any  one  of  these  examples  was  that  of  the  smallest  fish  (1.375 
m  head),  while  the  shortest  snout  was  that  of  the  fish  next  in  size, 
3  inches  (1.5  in  head). 

The  color,  however,  varies  greatly  with  age,  the  lateral  line 
and  most  of  the  spots  disappearing  and  the  color  becoming  more 
silvery. 

Young  Gars  3  inches  long  have  no  scales  developed.  The  scales 
appear  to  develop  on  the  caudal  end  of  the  body  first,  an  example 
6.5  inches  long  had  the  posterior  third  of  the  body  scaled,  and  one 
5.75  inches  long,  had  about  the  posterior  half  scaled.  The  develop- 
ment of  scales  does  not  affect  the  color  further,  though  it 
appears  to  make  this  somewhat  less  distinct. 

4.     SHOET-NOSED  GAR 

LEPISOSTEUS  PLATOSTOMUS  Rafincsque 

The  Short-nosed  Gar  is  found  throughout  the  Great  Lakes 
region  and  south  and  west  in  all  the  lowland  waters  and  larger 
rivers,  being  more  abundant  southward.  In  Lake  Maxinkuckee 
this  Gar  is  common,  though  probably  less  so  than  the  long-nosed 
species. 

The  largest  example  from  this  lake  of  which  we  have  any  defi- 
nite information  was  caught  near  Long  Point  some  years  ago  by 
Mr.  Thomas  Medbourn.  This  specimen,  which  was  afterward 
mounted  and  which  is  now  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Morris,  of 
Culver,  was  4  feet  1.75  inches  long.  In  our  own  seining  opera- 
tions, an  individual  15  inches  long  was  caught  near  the  Outlet, 
July  10,  1899,  and  another  28  inches  long  was  taken  on  a  set-line 
August  16,  1900.  On  December  15,  1900,  men  who  were  fishing 
through  the  ice  on  Lost  Lake  saw  two  of  these  fish  through  the 
ice.  They  cut  holes  in  the  ice  above  them,  and  by  cautiously  letting 
dowTii  a  hook  under  the  chin  and  jerking,  managed  to  capture  them. 
One  was  20.5  inches  long  and  the  other  22.5.  Shortly  afterward 
another,  12.5  inches  long,  was  caught  in  the  same  manner. 

On  June  8,  1901,  while  rowing  along  the  south  shore  of  Outlet 
Bay,  a  small  one,  11.5  inches  long,  was  seen  lying  at  an  angle  near 
the  surface  of  the  water  head  upward,  apparently  dozing.  The 
boat  was  cautiously  rowed  up  to  the  fish  and,  by  making  a  sudden 
grab,  it  was  caught  by  hand.  On  June  20,  1901,  a  fisherman  caught 
one  28.5  inches  long. 

The  habits  of  this  species  are  similar  to  those  of  the  Long-nosed 
Gar.  Like  them  they  spend  hot  days  in  shallow  water  basking, 
and  they  are  occasionalh'  seen  lying  motionless  in  the  water  under 
clear  ice.     In  cases  where  the  fish  were  not  captured  it  was  not 


316         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

possible  to  say  with  certainty  what  species  they  were.  A  very 
large  Gar,  thought  to  be  this,  was  seen  under  the  ice  in  rather 
shallow  water  in  Outlet  Bay,  January  16,  and  holes  were  cut 
through  the  ice  and  an  attempt  made  to  capture  it,  but  without 
success. 

This  species  spawns  at  the  lake  during  May  and  early  June, 
On  June  12,  1901,  tw^o  large  Gars  thought  to  be  this  species,  were 
seen  lying  close  together  among  the  weeds  at  the  north  end  of 
Lost  Lake.  They  lay  still  until  the  boat  was  nearly  upon  them, 
when  they  went  off  with  a  loud  splash.  Much  splashing  was  tak- 
ing place  in  other  parts  of  the  same  region  and  it  was  thought 
that  these  fishes  were  sporting  about.  The  next  day  a  large  school 
of  Gars  was  reported  basking  off  Long  Point.  Frequent  reports 
were  heard  of  Gars  being  caught  by  fishermen,  but  the  species 
could  not  be  ascertained. 


S? 


^1- 

Short-nosed   Gar    {Lepisostcuf;  jdatostomus) 


Like  its  near  relative,  the  Long-nosed  Gar,  this  species  feeds 
chiefly  upon  small  fishes,  great  numbers  of  which  are  destroyed  by 
it.  It  could  be  captured  and  killed  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
other. 

Head  about  3  in  length  of  body;  depth  about  8;  eye  12  to  15 
in  head ;  snout  1.75  ;  D.  8 ;  A.  8 ;  V.  6 ;  scales  56, — 20. 

Body  long,  slender  and  sub-cylindrical,  but  stouter  than  in  the 
preceding  species.  Snout  shorter  than  in  L.  ossciis,  its  length  5  to 
6  times  its  least  width,  and  usually  about  one-fifth  longer  than  rest 
of  head,  though  sometimes  about  equaling  head. 

Color  grayish  silvery;  top  of  head  with  15  or  20  large  round 
dark  spots;  side  of  head  with  similar  spots;  a  small  dark  post- 
ocular  spot  sometimes  connected  with  a  broad  dark  spot  extending 
forward  from  opercle ;  under  parts  of  head  much  mottled  with  light 
and  dark;  a  few  distinct  dark  spots  on  side;  under  parts  pale; 
vertical  fins  each  with  a  few  large  black  spots;  ventrals  and 
pectorals  pale  at  base,  but  with  much  dark  toward  the  tips.     In  the 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         317 

young  the  dark  markings  are  moi'e  pronounced.  In  a  specimen 
15  inches  long  the  back  was  distinctly  marbled  with  whitish  and 
black,  and  the  side  had  a  broad  dark  lateral  band,  interrupted 
posteriorly ;  the  spots  on  the  fins  were  darker,  and  even  the  ventrals 
and  pectorals  were  plainly  spotted. 

Examples  of  the  Long-nosed  Gar  of  the  same  size  (15  inches) 
are  much  more  silvery  and  are  comparatively  free  of  black  spots. 
Length  2  to  4  feet.  Weight  2  to  15  pounds.  It  is  a  very  variable 
species,  the  young  being  difficult  to  distinguish  from  related 
species, 

5.     DOGFISH 

AMIA  CALVA   Linnseus 

(Plate  2) 

The  Dogfish,  or  Bowfin,  is  found  in  the  Great  Lakes  and  slug- 
gish waters  from  Minnesota  to  Virginia,  Florida  and  Texas,  and  is 
generally  abundant  throughout  its  range.  It  does  not  appear  to 
be  common  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  but  in  Lost  Lake  it  is  quite 
abundant.  During  our  investigations  not  many  Dogfish  were  seen ; 
3  were  seined  in  Norris  Inlet,  and  on  July  25  one  was  seined  which 
weighed  4.75  pounds.  Occasionally  one  would  be  found  dead  on 
shore,  while  now  and  then  one  would  be  caught  on  a  hook.  Anglers 
fishing  in  Outlet  Bay,  or  near  Norris  Inlet,  or  off  the  Gravelpit, 
were  liable  to  get  this  fish,  particularly  if  they  were  fishing  for 
catfish  or  doing  bottom  fishing.  While  seining  in  Norris  Inlet 
several  young  examples  were  secured,  and  a  few  were  obtained  in 
Culver  Creek;  a  few  were  also  taken  on  set-lines.  Some  of  the 
largest  examples  ever  seined  were  taken  in  front  of  the  Fish  Com- 
mission station  late  at  night,  September  20.  These  had  apparently 
come  in  near  shore  to  feed  upon  other  fish  which  were  then  abund- 
ant in  shallow  water.  On  May  8,  1901,  a  fisherman  caught  an  im- 
mense one  which  he  thought  would  weigh  10  pounds,  and  Patrol- 
man Wiseman  caught  on  a  set-line  one  which  was  23  inches  long 
and  weighed  4.5  pounds.  Later  in  the  year  an  example  25.5  inches 
long  was  found  dead  on  shore  by  Murray's  and  some  fishermen 
caught  a  male  22.5  inches  long,  weighing  4.5  pounds.  On  Novem- 
ber 7,  1904,  six  were  found  dead  on  shore  where  they  had  probably 
been  left  by  men  who  had  been  seining.  Their  leng-ths  were  16.5, 
17.75,  18,  19.75,  20.5,  and  21  inches.  The  stomachs  of  all  except 
one,  which  contained  a  young  sunfish,  were  empty.  In  the  autumn 
of  1906  they  were  caught  occasionally  by  fishermen ;  one  was  seen 
19  inches  long  and  another,  24. 

In  Lost  Lake  and  the  Outlet,  this  fish  is  more  abundant,  and 


318         Lake  Maxifikuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

numerous  specimens  were  secured  from  that  lake,  chiefly  on  set- 
lines,  the  large  examples  obtained  by  us  varying  in  length  from 
16  to  24  inches.  On  April  22,  1901,  one  was  found  in  a  boat  in 
the  Outlet,  a  male  21  inches  long,  weight  3  pounds.  The  smallest 
individual  secured  by  us  was  3.75  inches  long. 

The  Dogfish  resembles  the  gar-pike  in  many  of  its  habits.  With 
the  exception  of  its  feeding  near  the  bottom  and  including  more 
crawfishes  in  its  dietary,  the  habits  of  the  two  are  very  similar. 
Both  love  to  bask  in  warm  shallow  water.  The  Dogfish  is,  per- 
haps, more  fond  of  muddy  bottom.  One  of  the  best  places  for 
Dogfish  fishing  used  to  be  the  Little  Wabash  River,  locally  known 
as  the  "Little  River,"  a  sluggish  stream,  coursing  its  way  through 
a  large  flat  prairie,  its  shores  quaking  and  edged  with  willows. 
A  fisherman,  standing  on  entangled  willow-roots,  could  shake  a 
large  area  and  could  push  down  a  20-foot  fishing  pole  vertically 
between  his  feet  without  touching  bottom.  Here,  on  hot  still  days, 
the  Dog-fish  would  almost  fight  for  bait,  and  there  three  fishermen 
landed  55  big  fish  in  the  course  of  an  afternoon. 

Like  the  gar-pike,  also,  the  Dogfish  can  frequently  be  seen  mo- 
tionless in  the  water  under  clear  ice  in  winter.  On  December  18, 
1901,  one  about  2  feet  long  was  seen  under  the  ice  in  Lost  Lake, 
swimming  along  very  leisurely.  On  January  7  several  large  ones 
were  seen  in  Outlet  Bay  where  the  ice  men  had  cut  out  ice.  They 
were  in  three  or  four  feet  of  water,  lying  perfectly  still  on  the  bot- 
tom where  they  were  almost  wholly  covered  by  the  Chara  which 
abounds  there.  When  disturbed  they  made  off",  but  not  very  fast 
nor  very  far,  propelling  themselves  with  lateral  flexions  of  the  tail 
like  the  water-dog.  The  same  place  was  visited  again  in  the  after- 
noon and  6  large  individuals  were  seen.  One  was  speared  which 
proved  to  be  a  male  22.75  inches  long,  weighing  4  pounds.  The 
Dogfish  is  not  particularly  heavy  for  its  length.  Two  males  from 
Lake  Erie,  each  a  foot  long,  weighed  one-half  pound  each. 

At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  this  fish  spawns  toward  the  end  of  April. 
On  April  24  and  25  large  ones  were  seen  in  a  pool  in  Green's 
marsh.  The  next  day  it  was  discovered  that  they  were  making 
nests  there.  The  nest  is  made  by  hollowing  out  a  place  in  the 
muck,  and  is  of  good  size, — about  18  inches  to  2.5  feet  in  diameter. 
The  fish  bite  off  such  rushes  as  are  in  their  way,  and  also  make 
paths  for  themselves  leading  to  and  from  the  nests.  The  eggs, 
small  and  yellowish  in  color,  are  quite  numerous  and  are  in  the 
bottom  of  the  nest,  some  of  them  apparently  sticking  to  the  pro- 
jecting vegetable  fibres  of  the  muck.  A  male  was  usually  found  on 
the  nest.     Besides  the  nests  found  in  Green's  marsh,  another  was 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         319 

found  July  3  near  the  Inlet,  guarded  by  a  male.  After  the  young 
are  hatched  they  follow  the  parent  about.  Mr.  S.  S.  Chadwick 
speaks  of  having  seen  one  accompanied  by  "a  couple  of  gallons  of 
young,  in  a  thick  cloud." 

A  good  many  people  near  Culver  eat  the  Dogfish  in  winter, 
but  say  that  "in  summer  the  flesh  turns  green  and  is  not  good." 
There  is  probably  a  heightening  of  color  during  the  breeding  sea- 
son to  which  they  refer.  The  fins  of  these  fishes  as  seen  in  the 
water  June  7  and  later  were  of  a  fine  opalescent  green. 

This  fish  is  quite  free  from  external  parasites  such  as  copepods 
on  the  gills,  etc.  Several  individuals  examined  contained  trema- 
todes  attached  to  the  gills  and  a  few  had  leeches  attached,  and  one 
had  two  fish  lice  (Argulns) ,  but  they  were  on  the  whole  remarkably 
clean.  Internally  they  have  numerous  parasites,  especially  dis- 
tomids  and  trematodes. 

The  Dogfish  is  of  peculiar  interest  to  zoologists  as  the  remains 
of  an  ancient  stock  of  fishes;  it  is  the  only  surviving  species  in 
the  whole  order  to  which  it  belongs.  Its  habits,  however,  render 
it  a  nuisance,  as  it  is  carnivorous  and  very  voracious. 

Its  good  qualities  as  a  game-fish  have  not  been  sufficiently  ap- 
preciated, doubtless,  chiefly,  because  not  many  have  ever  angled  for 
it,  and  because  the  fish  has  not  been  regarded  as  having  any  food- 
value.  But  the  true  angler  cares  nothing  for  the  edible  qualities 
of  the  fish  he  catches.  His  desire  is  to  match  the  strength  of  his 
tackle  and  his  skill  in  handling  it  against  the  strength  and  intelli- 
gence of  the  fish  he  hooks.  Thus  it  is  with  the  ever-increasing 
large  number  of  real  sportsmen  who  seek  the  large  ocean  fishes, — 
the  white  sea-bass,  the  tuna  and  the  albicore ;  the  shark,  the  yellow- 
tail,  and  the  silver  king.  And  so  it  is  with  the  few  who  have  culti- 
vated the  Bowfin.  It  will  take  almost  any  kind  of  bait,  but  prefers 
cut  bait  of  some  sort,  such  as  cut  fish,  a  freshwater  clam,  or  a 
piece  of  meat.  It  takes  the  bait  deliberately,  but  when  the  sting 
of  the  hook  is  felt,  the  fish  wakes  up  and  gives  the  angler  as 
pretty  a  fight  as  one  could  desire. 

In  the  Report  of  the  New  York  Fisheries,  Game  and  Forest 
Commission  for  1898  is  an  article  by  Dr.  Bashford  Dean  on  the 
Dogfish,  which  contains  so  much  interesting  information  that  we 
take  the  liberty  to  reproduce  it  here.     Dr.  Dean  says : 

"The  Dogfish  has  been  described  by  some  as  diurnal,  by  others 
as  nocturnal  in  its  habits.  In  the  daytime  during  the  season  of 
breeding  the  fish  can  readilj^  be  seen  in  shallow  waters,  and,  when 
not  actually  on  its  nest,  can  sometimes  be  made  to  take  a  bait.  At 
night,  however,  judging  from  my  own  experience  vvith  set-lines,  the 

21—17618 


320         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

fish  is  not  often  taken.  And  the  result  of  my  later  observations 
is  not  favorable  to  the  view  that  the  dogfish  is  distinctly  nocturnal 
in  habit.  With  a  view  of  determining  how  active  the  fish  were 
at  night,  I  have  kept  them  in  captivity  and  I  have  also  watched 
them  at  different  hours  on  their  spawning  grounds,  when  light  was 
no  more  than  sufficient  to  enable  their  outlines  to  be  seen.  My  con- 
clusions indicate  that  the  dogfish  is  rather  to  be  regarded  as  most 
active  at  twilight.  It  takes  the  hook  best  shortly  after  sundown 
and  during  the  early  morning,  and  at  these  times  I  have  seen  it  ex- 
ceedingly active  under  natural  conditions.  In  a  general  way  the 
fish  can  hardly  be  described  as  shy.  As  far  as  taking  an  alarm  is 
concerned,  it  behaves  very  much  as  a  catfish ;  it  is  certainly  less 
apt  to  notice  one's  approach  than,  for  example,  many  common 
teleosts. 

'The  g-eneral  habitat  of  the  fish  varies  greatly  at  different  sea- 
sons of  the  year.  In  summer  it  frequents  deeper  water ;  in  spring 
it  comes  into  the  marshy  shallows  and  makes  its  way  through  reedy 
places  where  the  water  is  scarcely  deep  enough  to  cover  its  dorsal 
fin.     In  general  it  affects  muddy  water. 

"In  the  matter  of  feeding,  the  rapacious  nature  of  the  dogfish 
has  already  been  noted.  Its  common  articles  of  diet,  as  Fitlleborn, 
for  example,  has  noted,  are  small  fishes  and  crayfish.  The  latter 
are  especially  common  in  the  stomach  contents.  Among  the  speci- 
mens examined  by  the  present  writer  was  noted  one,  a  female, 
measuring  twenty-eight  inches,  which  had  eaten  among  other 
things,  a  pickerel  twelve  inches  in  length.  Another,  a  female 
measuring  thirty-one  inches,  contained  the  columns  of  eleven  fishes, 
cyprinoids,  each  about  three  inches  in  leng-th.  Another,  taken  at 
twilight  near  the  margin  of  a  rubbish  heap,  had  eaten  scraps  of 
meat  and  a  lump  of  raw  potato,  the  latter  having  been  taken  from 
the  stomach  altogether  undigested.  Among  the  local  fishermen  of 
the  Wisconsin  lakes,  salt  pork  is  well  known  as  a  'killing'  bait.  I 
have  no  evidence  that  the  dogfish  eats  fish,  or  more  accurately  some 
fishes,  after  they  are  dead.  Dead  perch  and  sunfish  remain  un- 
touched, even  in  regions  where  Amia  is  very  abundant. 

"The  dogfish  deposits  its  eggs  in  more  or  less  definitely  pre- 
pared nests.''  These  often  occur  very  abundantly  in  the  reedy 
shallow  in  the  margins  of  the  lakes.  A  particular  region  of  the 
shore  will  often  be  given  marked  preference :  in  one  case  observed 
by  the  writer  eleven  nests  occurred  within  a  radius  of  fifty  feet, 
and  seven  of  these  within  a  radius  of  fifteen  feet.     The  spawning 

*  The   writer   has   obtained   good   evidence   that   inconvenient    rushes   are   bitten   off   when    the 
fish  prepares  the   nest.     This   is  also  noted  by   Reighard. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         321 

season,  like  that  of  all  fishes,  varies  somewhat  from  year  to  year. 
In  Wisconsin,  where  the  fish  have  been  most  accurately  observed, 
the  height  of  the  spawning  occurs  about  the  middle  of  May.  It, 
however,  varies  in  this  locality  from  the  first  day  of  April  until  the 
early  part  of  June.  There  is  usuallj^  a  maximum  period  of  spawn- 
ing, as  in  the  case  of  other  fishes. 

"The  actual  nesting  habits  of  the  fish  have  not  as  yet  been  ex- 
amined in  sufficient  detail.  There  is  good  evidence  to  believe  that 
the  fishes  divide  into  spawning  parties,  as  in  the  case  of  the  gar- 
pike,  Leinsosteus,  each  party  consisting  of  a  female  and  several 
males.  In  a  single  instance  the  writer  has  seen  three  fishes  on  a 
nest  after  spawning  had  commenced.  Whitman,  on  the  other 
hand,  maintains,  also  from  a  single  observation,  that  but  a  single 
male  is  present.  The  eggs  are  scattered  over  the  nests  thickly, 
in  number  varying  from  a  few  hundreds  to  possibly  a  hundred 
thousand.  A  single  male  tends  the  nest,  keeps  away  intruders, 
and  by  vigorous  breathing  produces  a  current  of  water  which  prob- 
ably retards  the  growth  of  fish  fungus.  The  fish  stands  guard, 
sometimes  for  hours  motionless,  save  for  its  movements  in  balanc- 
ing and  breathing ;  at  other  times  it  appears  restive,  turning  about 
in  the  nest,  making  short  detours,  and  returning  by  the  'runaway' 
which  it  provides.  A  favorite  position  is  for  the  fish  to  lie  in  the 
'runaway'  with  its  head  projecting  over  the  nest.  It  usually  re- 
mains in  the  shaded  side  of  the  nest,  but  appears  occasionally  in 
bright  sunlight,  so  that  it  can  be  seen  quite  a  distance  away. 
*  *  *  Such  a  fish,  for  example,  has  been  photographed.  The 
pictures  clearly  demonsti'ate  that  Amia  does  not  hesitate  to  show 
itself  in  the  sunlight,  as  Fiillebom  early  maintained.  The  outline 
of  the  nest  in  this  case  was  clearly  seen  from  the  surface,  and  all 
of  the  'supernatant'  rushes  must  have  been  brushed  aside,  or  even 
removed  by  the  fish,  since  the  nest  was  photographed  as  it  first 
appeared. 

"The  eggs  hatch  out  in  the  course  of  about  a  week,  the  lenglh 
of  time  varying  notably  with  the  temperature  of  the  water.  The 
larvae  pass  their  first  few  days  deep  in  the  nest,  where  they  at- 
tach themselves  to  debris  by  means  of  curious  sucking  disks  devel- 
oped on  the  under  side  of  their  snouts.  In  the  course  of  another 
week  or  so,  the  young  are  probably  herded  together  by  the  male 
fish,  who  leads  his  flock  of  young  to  various  points  in  the  neighbor- 
hood in  search  of  food.  This  peculiar  "nursing  habit"  of  the 
male  is  known  to  continue  until  the  fish  attain  a  length  of  several 
inches.     During  the  later  spring  it  becomes  a  common  sight  to  see 


322         Lake  Maxmkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

the  male  fish  accompanied  by  a  dense  swarm  of  young,  the  latter 
appearing  dark  in  color,  and  at  first  sight  tadpole-like. 

^  Jjt  JjC  ijl  ill  ^  •!•  vjC 

"The  foregoing  notes  upon  the  spawning  and  habits  of  the  dog- 
fish provide  the  fish  culturist,  I  am  convinced,  with  data  which 
should  enable  him,  and  with  relatively  little  trouble,  to  materially 
reduce  their  numbers  in  localities  where  they  abound.  He  learns, 
for  example,  that  these  fish  will  repair  to  a  more  or  less  definite 
locality  at  the  time  of  spawning,  and  that  here  in  the  shallows 
their  nests  can  readily  be  found  and  destroyed.  He  concludes, 
furthermore,  that  without  extraordinary  efi'ort  he  can  secure  the 
male  fish  which  guards  the  nest  and  young.  This  he  can  take 
either  by  snare  or  by  spear.  As  the  first  step  in  reducing  the 
numbers  of  dog'fish,  he  finds  it  of  course  necessary  to  determine 
accurately  the  time  of  spawning ;  in  this  he  is  helped,  since  the  gen- 
eral limits  of  the  season  have  been  already  indicated.  The  exact 
time  of  spawning  may  usually  be  determined  with  little  difficulty, 
for  the  splashing  of  the  fish  during  the  early  days  of  spring  may 
be  looked  upon  as  an  indication  that  spawning  has  either  begun 
or  is  about  to  begin.  An  occasional  rise  in  the  shallows  is  thus 
found  to  mark  the  preparation  for  spawning;  a  continuous  and 
noisy  splashing,  one  which  can  be  noted  at  a  distance  of  a  hun- 
dred yards  or  more,  is,  in  the  experience  of  the  present  writer,  a 
most  useful  sign  that  the  fish  are  actually  spawning.  At  this  time, 
perhaps,  the  greatest  difficulty  will  be  experienced  in  approaching 
the  fish  closely  enough  to  capture  one  or  more  of  them.  A  slight 
movement  is  sometimes  enough  to  give  the  alarm.  And  a  further 
difficulty  in  capturing  them  at  this  time  is  the  muddiness  of  the 
water,  caused  by  the  energetic  movements  of  spawning.  In  some 
localities,  no  doubt,  nests  are  more  easily  found  than  in  others, 
but  in  a  general  way  the  writer  believes  that  there  are  few  fishes 
in  our  fresh-water  lakes  whose  eggs  and  young  can  be  secured 
with  less  difficulty  than  those  of  the  dogfish.  Should  the  novice  in 
collecting  fail  to  find  at  once  one  of  their  nests,  the  rush  and  splash 
of  the  escaping  guardian  fish  will  often  give  a  sufficiently  obvious 
hint  as  to  the  location  of  a  nest.  I  may  note,  furthermore,  that  the 
dogfish  does  not  prove  itself  skillful  in  throwing  a  human  enemy  off 
the  scent;  one  rarely  finds  that  a  fish  will  move  away  quietly  from 
the  nest  and  then  make  a  noisy  escape  in  order  to  divert  the  col- 
lector. The  fish,  on  the  other  hand,  is  far  more  likely  to  remain 
on  the  nest  till  the  boat  is  actually  upon  it,  when  with  a  sudden 
plunge  it  reveals  the  exact  position  of  the  nest.  So  fearlessly  does 
it  stand  its  ground  that  in  several  cases  noted  by  the  writer,  the 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         323 

fish  was  not  discovered  until  the  stern  of  the  boat  had  passed  over 
it.  There  may  indeed  be  cases  where,  although  almost  touched  by 
the  bottom  of  the  boat,  the  fish  has  been  actually  overlooked ;  but  as 
the  writer  has  noted,  the  shape  of  the  nest  is  so  often  shown  at  the 
surface  of  the  water,  that  one  can  frequenly  detect  it  before  any 
sign  of  the  fish  is  visible. 

"Furthermore,  the  habit  of  the  dogfish  in  accompanying  its 
young  for  a  number  of  weeks  after  hatching  gives  the  fish  culturist 
another  valuable  hint.  With  little  difficulty  many  schools  of  young 
dogfish  can  be  found  and  destroyed.  The  very  fact  that  the  young 
when  alarmed  draw  together  into  a  more  and  more  compact  mass 
puts  them  readily  into  the  hands  of  the  collector — although  on  the 
other  hand,  this  habit  has  doubtless  proved  of  great  value  as  a 
means  of  preserving  them  from  rapacious  fishes;  for  should  the 
young  scatter  at  the  first  alarm,  they  could  obviously  be  less  per- 
fectly protected  by  the  parent  fish. 

"In  conclusion,  accordingly,  I  think  it  is  fair  to  assume  that 
whenever  it  becomes  necessary,  dogfish  can  be  readily  destroyed. 
The  fish  themselves  can  be  speared  when  they  appear  at  the  season 
of  spawning;  their  nests  can  be  found  and  destroyed;  and  young 
fish  can  later  be  taken,  and  in  large  numbers,  when  in  company 
with  the  male  fish.  I  am  led  to  believe  that  a  single  collector, 
operating  in  a  lake  several  miles  in  length,  could  in  one  season  re- 
duce the  supply  of  dogfish  in  a  very  efi'ective  way." 

Head  3.75;  depth  5  to  6;  eye  11  to  12;  snout  5.75;  maxillary 
2.25  to  2.75;  D.  48;  A.  10  to  12;  V.  7;  scales  about  10-70-12. 

Body  long,  not  compressed;  head  moderate;  mouth  large, 
slightly  oblique,  snout  broadly  rounded,  lower  jaw  slightly  the 
shorter;  maxillary  reaching  far  beyond  eye;  eye  small;*  back 
broad,  not  elevated ;  caudal  peduncle  deep,  somewhat  compressed ; 
dorsal  fin  very  long,  beginning  well  in  front  of  ventral  fins  and  ex- 
tending to  near  base  of  caudal ;  anal  fin  small ;  caudal  fin  rounded ; 
lateral  line  nearly  median,  directed  slightly  upward  at  each  end. 

Dark  olivaceous  or  blackish  above,  inclining  to  greenish,  paler 
below;  side  with  traces  of  reticulate  markings;  lower  jaw  and 
gular  plate  often  with  round  blackish  spots  or  irregular  mottlings ; 
fins  mostly  pale,  somewhat  mottled,  especially  the  dorsal  and  anal ; 
male  with  a  round  black  spot  at  base  of  caudal  above,  surrounded 
by  an  orange  or  yellowish  shade;  this  spot  usually  not  present 
in  the  female.  Length  of  male  about  18  inches ;  leng-th  of  female 
2  feet  or  more. 


*  In   the  young  examined   at   the  lake   the  eye  is  proportionally   nearly  twice   as   large   as   in 
the  adult,  and  the  snout   from  .25  to  .2  larger. 


324         Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


6.     YELLOW  CATFISH 

AMEIURUS  NATALIS   (Le  Sueur) 

(Plate  3) 

The  Yellow  Cat  is  generally  abundant  from  the  Great  Lakes 
region  to  Virginia  and  Texas  and  southward.  It  is  extremely  va- 
riable, running  into  several  subspecies.  Of  the  four  species  of  cat- 
fish known  from  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  this  is  by  far  the  most  abund- 
ant. It  is  very  common  in  Lost  Lake  and  in  favorable  places  in 
Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  not  rare.  No  attempts  were  made  to  get 
a  large  number,  but  our  collection  contains  specimens  from  many 
parts  of  the  shore  and  from  the  various  inlets  of  the  lake.  They 
are  mostly  quite  small  and  exhibit  much  variation  in  general  ap- 
pearance, especially  as  regards  depth,  some  being  short  and  plump 
and  others  rather  elongate.  The  mature  specimens  appear  to  be 
equally  diverse  as  shown  by  the  table  of  weights  and  measures 
given  below.  The  Yellpw  Catfish  frequents  the  region  of  the  in- 
lets and  those  portions  of  the  lake  where  there  is  soft  bottom ; 
usually  it  may  be  found  in  water  5  to  15  feet  deep  where  the  bot- 
tom is  of  marl,  and  even  in  somewhat  deeper  water  in  muck 
bottom. 

The  Yellow  Cat  in  these  waters  rarely  attains  a  greater  length 
than  a  foot  or  15  inches  and  a  weight  of  a  pound  or  a  pound  and 
a  half,  though  considerably  larger  examples  are  sometimes  taken. 
The  largest  seen  by  us  weighed  3  pounds,  and  the  largest  of  which 
we  have  heard  is  said  to  have  weighed  5  pounds.  The  follow- 
ing table  shows  the  lengths  and  weights  of  22  individuals  examined 
at  various  times. 


Date  caught 

Length 

Weight 

Maj- 

9 

b 

inches 

8 

ounces 

10 

9 

inches 

8 

ounces 

10 

10 

inches 

12 

ounces 

9 

10 

inches 

14 

ounces 

9 

11 

5 

inches 

1  pound    1 

ounce 

14 

12 

inches 

12 

ounces 

7 

12 

inches 

1  pound 

10 

12 

inches 

1  pound    2 

ounces 

7 

12 

inches 

1  pound    4 

ounces 

15 

12.25 

inches 

12 

ounces 

15 

12 

25 

inches 

12 

ounces 

7 

12 

50 

inches 

1  pound    2 

ounces 

9 

12 

50 

inches 

1  poind    2 

ounces 

10 

12 

50 

inches 

1  pound    8 

ounces 

9 

12 

75 

inches 

1  pound    4 

ounces 

November 

3 

12 

875 

inches 

1  pound  1 .  75  ounces 

May 

7 

13 

inches 

1  pound    8 

ounces 

14 

13 

inches 

12 

ounces 

11 

13 

inches 

1  pound    8 

ounces 

14 

14 

inches 

1  pound    4 

ounces 

10 

14 

inches 

2  pounds 

M 
O 

r 


r 
r 

> 


3 


o 


o 

o 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         325 

In  the  autumn  the  young  of  this  fish  appear  to  be  fond  of  hid- 
ing under  logs  and  stones  in  shallow  water.  They  also  hide  among 
Chara  in  the  winter  and  are  occasionally  raked  up  with  other  fishes. 
The  stomachs  of  a  few  individuals  examined  contained  crawfish. 

The  habits  of  this  fish,  the  methods  of  its  capture,  and  its  food 
qualities  are  not  essentially  different  from  those  of  the  common 
bullhead,  and  are  discussed  more  fully  in  connection  with  that 
species. 

Head  3.66 ;  depth  4 ;  eye  10 ;  snout  3.66 ;  D.  I,  6 ;  A.  26 ;  maxil- 
lary barbel  1.33  in  head;  nasal  barbel  2.25.  Body  short  and  stout; 
head  heavy;  jaws  subequal ;  eye  small;  barbels  moderate;  origin  of 
dorsal  fin  nearer  tip  of  snout  than  to  origin  of  adipose  fin ;  dorsal 
spine  short,  equal  to  snout  and  eye,  or  1'^  in  longest  dorsal  ray ; 
anal  large,  its  base  4  in  body;  pectoral  fin  short,  2.5  in  head ;  caudal 
fin  regularly  rounded. 

Color,  dark  olivaceous  yellow  above,  becoming  clearer  on  sides ; 
yellowish  white  below  maxillary  and  nasal  barbels. 

7.     COMMON  BULLHEAD 

AMEIURUS  NEBULCSUS   (Le  Sueur) 

(Plate  4) 

Though  this  is  the  Common  Bullhead  or  Horned  Pout  of  every 
pond  or  sluggish  stream  of  the  east  and  north,  it  is  not  so  abund- 
ant at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  as  the  Yellow  Cat.  The  two  species  are 
usually  associated  and  are  not  usually  differentiated  by  fishermen. 
The  characters  most  useful  for  diagnostic  purposes  are  the  color 
and  the  number  of  anal  rays,  the  Common  Bullhead  being  more  or 
less  marbled  or  mottled  and  having  but  21  or  22  anal  rays,  while 
the  yellow  cat  is  quite  uniform  in  color  on  the  back  and  sides  and 
has  23  to  27  anal  rays.  The  two  species  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee 
reach  about  the  same  size — 1  to  3  pounds,  very  rarely  more — and 
have  essentially  the  same  habits. 

They  are,  as  every  one  knows,  bottom  feeders ;  and  most  of 
them  frequent  those  shallower  parts  of  the  lake  where  there  is  mud 
bottom,  where  they  feed  upon  crawfish  and  some  of  the  softer- 
shelled  mollusks,  as  Sph^erium,  and  the  young  of  various  species  of 
Unionidse.  They  are  also  said  to  feed  pretty  extensively  on  the 
eggs  of  other  species  of  fishes.  One  example  was  found  gorged 
with  water-lily  seeds.  A  young  one  2.125  inches  long,  raked  up 
in  Chara  December  22,  1904,  contained  a  beach  flea.  Their  spawn- 
ing time  is  in  late  May  and  June.  This  seems  to  be  a  period  of 
considerable  mortality  among  them,  and  a  good  many  are  found 
dead  on  shore  about  this  time.     The  eggs  are  relatively  large  and 


326         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

few  in  number  and  these  are  placed  under  chunks  or  sticks,  the 
edges  of  rocks  or  about  the  bases  of  water  plants.  They  hatch 
in  about  5  days  in  water  at  a  temperature  of  77°,  and  in  the  cooler 
waters  of  the  lake  probabh'  require  some  time  longer.  The  whole 
school  of  young  follows  the  parent  fish  about  for  some  weeks  after 
hatching,  forming  a  thick  black  cloud  of  actively  wiggling  black 
creatures  bearing  considerable  resemblance  to  tadpoles.  This 
species,  more  perhaps  than  any  other  fish,  frequently  gets  en- 
trapped in  drying-up  lagoons  and  ditches  and  dies  in  great  num- 
bers. It  is  considerably  afflicted  with  leeches;  the  majority  caught 
have  the  slender  fish-leech  of  the  lake  attached  to  the  chin,  or 
small  red  spots  are  usually  found  there  where  the  leeches  have 
been.  The  leech  also  often  attaches  itself  to  the  roof  of  the  mouth 
just  behind  the  teeth.  Among  other  external  parasites  are  Argu- 
lus  maculosus,  and  a  new  species  of  Ergasilus  found  at  Lost  Lake, 
Ergasihis  versicolor.  Two  individuals  examined  contained  en- 
cysted in  the  mesenteries  long  round  worms  bearing  a  considerable 
resemblance  to  the  horse-hair  snake. 

In  our  seining  operations  not  many  adults  were  caught,  scarcely 
any  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  and  only  a  few  in  Lost  Lake.  A  good 
many  young  1.5  to  3  inches  in  length  were  taken,  however.  While 
these  young  were  most  abundant  in  the  mouths  of  inlets  they  were 
often  found  in  limited  numbers  almost  everywhere,  even  on  bot- 
tom covered  with  Chara.  They  were  more  often  found,  however, 
on  marl  bottom.  Several  examples  of  good  size  were  taken  on  set- 
lines  placed  in  4  to  7  feet  of  water  just  off  the  Gravelpit.  Others 
were  taken  in  Outlet  Bay  and  off  the  ice-houses,  while  the  cane- 
pole  fishermen  frequently  make  good  catches  in  the  south  part  of 
the  lake. 

Among  the  cottagers  of  Long  Point  was  one  lady  who  appreci- 
ated the  game  qualities  of  this  fish,  and  she  made  many  excellent 
catches  in  a  shallow  channel  just  east  of  the  Point. 

There  are  not  many  people  who  have  ever  fished  at  all  who 
can  not  remember  many  happy  days  spent  in  angling  for  bull- 
heads. The  individual  whose  experiences  do  not  include  days  of 
this  kind  has  missed  one  of  the  real  joys  of  youth. 

The  following  racy  account  of  the  habits  of  the  Common  Bull- 
head was  written  by  the  author  of  "Peck's  Bad  Boy,"  and  published 
originally  in  the  Milwaukee  Sun.  Though  written  as  a  burlesque, 
it  presents  a  truthful  and  vivid  picture  of  the  game  qualities  of 
the  Bullhead:  "It  seems  that  the  action  of  the  Milwaukee  com- 
mon council  in  withdrawing  the  use  of  the  water  works  from  the 
fish  commissioners  will  put  a  stop  to  the  hatching  of  white-fish. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         327 

This  is  as  it  should  be.  The  white-fish  is  an  aristocratic  fish  that 
will  not  bite  a  hook,  and  the  propagation  of  this  species  is  wholly 
in  the  interest  of  the  wealthy  owners  of  fishing  tubs,  who  have 
nets.  By  strict  attention  to  business  they  can  catch  all  of  the 
white-fish  out  of  the  lake  a  little  faster  than  the  State  machine 
can  put  them  in.  Poor  people  cannot  get  a  smell  of  white-fish. 
The  same  may  be  said  of  brook  trout.  While  they  will  bite  a  hook, 
it  requires  more  machinery  to  catch  them  than  ordinary  people  can 
possess  without  mortgaging  a  house.  A  man  has  got  to  have  a 
morrocco  book  of  expensive  flies,  a  fifteen  dollar  bamboo  jointed 
rod,  a  three-dollar  trout  basket,  with  a  hole  morticed  in  the  top, 
a  corduroy  suit  made  in  the  latest  style,  top  boots  of  the  Wellington 
pattern,  with  red  tassels  in  the  straps,  and  a  flask  of  Otard  brandy 
in  a  side  pocket.  Unless  a  man  is  got  up  in  that  style  a  speckled 
trout  will  see  him  in  Chicago  first,  and  then  it  won't  bite.  The 
brook  trout  is  even  more  aristocratic  than  the  white-fish,  and  should 
not  be  propagated  at  public  expense. 

"But  there  are  fish  that  should  be  propagated  in  the  interest  of 
the  people.  There  is  a  species  of  fish  that  never  looks  at  the 
clothes  of  the  man  who  throws  in  the  bait,  a  fish  that  takes  what- 
ever is  thrown  to  it,  and  when  once  hold  of  the  hook  never  tries 
to  shake  a  friend,  but  submits  to  the  inevitable,  crosses  its  legs  and 
says,  'Now  I  lay  me',  and  comes  out  on  the  bank  and  seems  to 
enjoy  being  taken.  It  is  a  fish  that  is  the  friend  of  the  poor,  and 
one  that  will  sacrifice  itself  in  the  interest  of  humanity.  That 
is  the  fish  that  the  State  should  adopt  as  its  trade-mark,  and  culti- 
vate friendly  relations  with  and  stand  by.  We  allude  to  the  Bull- 
head. 

"The  Bull-head  never  went  back  on  a  friend.  To  catch  the  Bull- 
head it  is  not  necessary  to  tempt  his  appetite  with  porterhouse 
steak,  or  to  display  an  expensive  lot  of  fishing  tackle.  A  pinhook, 
a  piece  of  liver,  and  a  cistern  pole  is  all  the  capital  required  to 
catch  a  Bull-head.  He  lies  upon  the  bottom  of  a  stream  or  pond 
in  the  mud  thinking.  There  is  no  fish  that  does  more  thinking, 
or  has  a  better  head  for  grasping  great  questions,  or  chunks  of 
liver,  than  the  Bull-head.  His  brain  is  large,  his  heart  beats  for 
humanity,  and  if  he  can't  get  liver,  a  piece  of  thin  tomato  can  will 
make  a  meal  for  him.  It  is  an  interesting  study  to  watch  a  boy 
catch  a  Bull-head.  The  boy  knows  where  the  Bull-heads  congre- 
gate, and  when  he  throws  in  his  hook  it  is  dollars  to  buttons  that 
'in  the  near  future'  he  will  get  a  bite. 

"The  Bull-head  is  democratic  in  all  its  instincts.  If  the  boy's 
shirt  is  sleeveless,  his  hat  crownless,  and  his  pantaloons  a  bot- 


328         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

tomless  pit,  the  Bull-head  will  bite  just  as  well  as  though  the  boy 
were  dressed  in  purple  and  fine  linen,  with  knee-breeches  and  plaid 
stockings.  The  Bull-head  seems  to  be  dozing  on  the  muddy  bot- 
tom, and  a  stranger  would  say  that  he  would  not  bite.  But  wait. 
There  is  a  movement  of  his  continuation,  and  his  cow-catcher 
moves  gently  toward  the  piece  of  liver.  He  does  not  wait  to  smell 
of  it,  and  canvass  in  his  mind  whether  the  liver  is  fresh.  It  makes 
no  difference  to  him.  He  argues  that  there  is  a  family  out  of  meat. 
'My  country  calls  and  I  must  go',  says  the  Bull-head  to  himself, 
and  he  opens  his  mouth  and  the  liver  disappears. 

"It  is  not  certain  that  the  boy  will  think  of  his  bait  for  half 
an  hour,  but  the  Bull-head  is  in  no  hurry.  He  is  in  the  mud  and 
proceeds  to  digest  the  liver.  He  realizes  that  his  days  will  not  be 
long  in  the  land,  or  water,  more  properly  speaking,  and  he  argues 
that  if  he  swallows  the  bait  and  digests  it  before  the  boy  pulls 
him  out,  he  will  be  just  so  much  ahead.  Finally,  the  boy  thinks  of 
his  bait,  pulls  it  out,  and  the  Bull-head  is  landed  on  the  bank,  and 
the  boy  cuts  him  open  to  get  the  hook  out.  Some  fish  only  take  the 
bait  gingerly,  and  are  only  caught  around  the  selvage  of  the  mouth, 
and  they  are  comparatively  easy  to  dislodge.  Not  so  with  the 
Bull-head.  He  says  if  liver  is  a  good  thing,  you  can't  have  too 
much  of  it,  and  it  tastes  good  all  the  way  down.  The  boy  gets 
down  on  his  knees  to  dissect  the  Bull-head,  and  get  his  hook,  and 
it  may  be  that  the  boy  swears.  It  would  not  be  astonishing,  though 
he  must  feel,  when  he  gets  his  hook  out  of  the  hidden  recesses  of 
the  Bull-head,  like  the  minister  who  took  up  a  collection  and  didn't 
get  a  cent,  though  he  expressed  thanks  at  getting  his  hat  back. 
There  is  one  draw-back  to  the  Bull-head,  and  that  is  his  horns. 
We  doubt  if  a  boy  ever  descended  into  the  patent  insides  of  a 
Bull-head  to  mine  for  limerick  hooks,  that  did  not,  before  the  work 
was  done,  run  a  horn  into  his  vital  parts.  But  the  boy  seems  to 
expect  it,  and  the  Bull-head  enjoys  it.  We  have  seen  a  Bull-head 
lie  on  the  bank  and  become  dry,  and  to  all  appearances  dead  to 
all  that  was  going  on,  and  when  a  boy  sat  down  on  him,  and  got  a 
horn  in  his  elbow,  and  yelled  murder,  the  Bull-head  would  grin 
from  ear  to  ear,  and  wag  his  tail  as  though  applauding  for  an 
encore. 

"The  Bull-head  never  complains.  We  have  seen  a  boy  take  a 
dull  knife  and  proceed  to  follow  a  fish  line  down  a  Bull-head  from 
head  to  the  end  of  his  subsequent  anatomy,  and  all  the  time  there 
would  be  an  expression  of  sweet  peace  on  the  countenance  of  the 
Bull-head,  as  though  he  enjoyed  it.  If  we  were  preparing  a  pic- 
ture representing  'Resignation',  for  a  chromo  to  give  to  subscrib- 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         329 

ers,  and  wished  to  represent  a  scene  of  suffering,  in  which  the 
sufferer  was  Hght-hearted,  seeming  to  recognize  that  all  was  for 
the  best,  we  should  take  for  the  subject  a  Bull-head,  with  a  boy 
searching  with  a  knife  for  a  long-lost  fishhook. 

"The  Bull-head  is  a  fish  that  has  no  scales,  but  in  lieu  thereof 
has  a  fine  India  rubber  skin,  that  is  as  far  ahead  of  fiddle-string 
material  for  strength  and  durability  as  possible.  The  meat  of  the 
Bull-head  is  not  as  choice  as  that  of  the  Mackerel,  but  it  fills  up  a 
stomach  just  as  well,  and  the  Sun  insists  that  the  fish  commission- 
ers shall  drop  the  hatching  of  aristocratic  fish,  and  give  the  Bull- 
heads a  chance." 

But  the  editor  of  London  Punch  does  not  agree  with  the  editor 
of  the  Milwaukee  Sun,  and  when  the  introduction  into  England  of 
one  of  our  catfishes  was  being  suggested,  Punch  printed  this 
protest : 

"Oh,  do  not  bring  the  Catfish  here! 
The  Catfish  is  a  name  I  fear. 

Oh,  spare  each  stream  and  spring'. 
The  Kennet  swift,  the  Wandle  clear. 
The  lake,  the  loch,  the  broad,  the  mere, 
From  that  detested  thing! 

"The  Catfish  is  a  hideous  beast, 
A  bottom-feeder  that  doth  feast 

Upon  unholy  bait; 
He's  no  addition  to  your  meal, 
He's  rather  richer  than  the  eel; 

And  ranker  than  the  skate. 

"His  face  is  broad,  and  flat,  and  glum; 
He's  like  some  monstrous  miller's  thumb; 

He's  bearded  like  the  pard. 
Beholding  him,  the  grayling  flee. 
The  trout  take  refuge  in  the  sea. 

The  gudgeons  go  on  guard. 


"He  grows  into  a  startling  size; 
The  British  matron  'twould  surprise, 

And  raise  her  burning  blush 
To  see  white  catfish  as  large  as  man. 
Through  what  the  bards  call  'water  wan', 
Come  with  an  ugly  rush! 

"They  say  the  Catfish  climbs  the  trees, 
And  robs  the  roosts,  and  down  the  breeze 

Prolongs  his  caterwaul. 
Oh,  leave  him  in  his  western  flood, 
Where  the  Mississippi  churns  the  mud; 
Don't  bring  him  here  at  all!" 


330         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Though  the  cat-fish  is  a  good  deal  of  a  scavenger  in  its  tastes, 
its  flesh  is  firm,  flaky  and  well-flavored,  and  there  are  many  who 
will  agree  with  the  old  darky  when  he  says : 

"Don't  talk  to  me  o'  bacon  fat, 
Or  taters,  coon  or  'possum; 
Fo'  when  I'se  hooked  a  yaller  cat, 
I'se  got  a  meal  to  boss  'em." 

— The  Darkey  and  the  Cat-fish. 

"Sat'day  night  come  arter, 
De  niggers  went  a-fishin', 
Dey  call  for  Billy  Carter, 
'Case  he  want  to  go  a-cattin', 
Dey  filled  de  jug  an'  started 
For  de  Pocomoka  i-iver. 
Chicken-guts  was  better  bait, 
Dey  dug  a  gour  o'  wurrims." 

- — From  "Pleasantry  of  the  South." 

Head  3  to  4 ;  depth  4  to  4.5 ;  snout  3.66 ;  eye  10  to  12  ;  D.  I,  6 ;  A. 
21  or  22;  V.  9. 

Body  rather  long;  upper  jaw  usually  distinctly  longer  than 
the  lower ;  humeral  process  more  than  half  length  of  pectoral  spine, 
which  is  rather  long;  length  of  base  of  anal  4  in  that  of  body; 
dorsal  fin  inserted  rather  nearer  adipose  fin  than  tip  of  snout. 

Color  dark  yellowish  brown,  more  or  less  clouded,  sometimes 
yellowish,  sometimes  nearly  black,  but  usually  distinctly  marbled 
or  mottled.     Length  a  foot  to  18  inches. 

8.     BLACK  BULLHEAD 

AMEIURUS  MELAS   (Rafinesque) 

The  Black  Bullhead  is  found  in  brooks,  ponds  and  lakes  from 
northern  New  York  westward  to  Kansas  and  Nebraska  and  south 


Black  Bullhead    {Ameiurus  melas) 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         331 

to  Texas,  and  is  usually  abundant,  especially  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi. It  is  very  variable  and  is  closely  related  to  both  A.  natalis 
and  A.  nebulostis.  It  is,  however,  a  smaller  fish  and  can  usually 
be  known  by  the  fewer  rays  in  the  anal  and  by  the  marked  contrast 
between  the  pale  anal  rays  and  the  dark  interradial  membranes. 

This  species  is  not  at  all  common  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  only  a 
few  individuals  having  been  seen  there,  and  the  majority  of  these 
were  obtained  in  the  Outlet  and  in  Lost  Lake. 

Head  3.5 ;  depth  3  to  4 ;  eye  8  to  9 ;  snout  3  ;  D.  I,  6 ;  A.  17  to  19. 

Body  short  and  stout;  head  blunt;  mouth  moderate,  jaws  sub- 
equal;  origin  of  dorsal  midway  between  tip  of  snout  and  origin 
of  adipose  fin,  dorsal  spine  long,  2  in  head,  equalling  pectoral  spine ; 
anal  short,  its  base  4  to  5  in  length  of  body,  its  rays  1.75  in  head; 
barbels  long,  maxillary  barbel  much  longer  than  head. 

Color  usually  almost  black;  anal  rays  pale,  the  membranes 
black,  the  contrast  being  quite  marked.     Size  a  foot  or  less. 

9.     MAD  TOM;  TADPOLE  CAT 

SCHILBEODES  GYRINUS    (Mltchill) 

(Plate  5) 

This  little  fish  is  common  from  the  Hudson  River  westward 
through  almost  the  entire  Mississippi  Valley  and  upper  lake  re- 
gion. In  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  rather  common.  It  seldom 
reaches  a  length  of  more  than  3  inches  here,  though  specimens  5 
inches  long  have  been  reported  from  elsewhere.  Of  35  examples 
measured  at  the  lake  the  largest  was  2.6  inches  long,  the  short- 
est .9  inch,  and  the  average  was  1.74  inches.  Several  of  these 
examples  were  mature  fish.  This  is  the  only  species  of  the  genus 
occurring  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  although  other  species  are  com- 
mon in  the  various  streams  of  Indiana.  It  may  be  readily  kno\\Tii 
from  the  young  of  any  of  the  other  catfish  found  there  by  its 
adnate  adipose  fin  which  is  continuous  with  the  caudal  fin,  and  also 
usually  by  its  color. 

It  was  found  by  us  both  in  the  main  lake  and  in  the  small  one. 
It  is  not  at  all  uncommon  in  shallow  water  near  shore,  where  we 
would  frequently  find  it  more  or  less  completely  secreted  in  the 
Chara  or  in  patches  of  Nitella  or  dwarfed  Potamogeton.  Speci- 
mens were  also  brought  up  with  vegetation  by  the  dredge  or 
grapple  from  depths  of  8  to  16  feet.  Throughout  the  winter  rak- 
ing in  the  Chara  would  frequently  bring  up  one  or  more  of  these 
fishes.  With  the  exception  of  the  Iowa  darter  this  is  one  of  the 
most  common  fishes  taken  in  this  manner.     They  were  also  often 


332         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

found  under  sticks  and  stones.  The  species  is  capable  of  in- 
flicting a  very  painful  sting,  as  it  has  a  poison  gland  at  the  base 
of  the  pectoral  spine.  According  to  Prof.  H.  D.  Reed  it  also  has 
poison  glands  under  the  skin  surrounding  the  pectoral  and  dorsal 
spines.* 

The  food  of  this  species  consists  mainly  of  small  crustaceans 
and  insect  larvae.  One  of  2  examples  raked  up  in  Chara  November 
25,  1904,  contained  a  small  beach  flea  and  the  other  an  Asellus ;  of 
4  examples  raked  up  in  Chara  in  Outlet  Bay,  December  21,  1904, 
one,  1.19  inches  long,  contained  a  large  water  flea  and  an  ostracod 
(Cypris),  another  1.125  inches  long,  contained  2  ostracods  and  a 
few  other  entomostraca ;  the  third,  1.875  inches  long,  had  eaten  a 
good-sized  insect  larva  and  an  ostracod;  the  fourth,  1.25  inches 
long,  contained  a  worm  and  2  ostracods.  One  example,  2.31  inches 
long,  examined  in  the  summer,  contained  5  individuals  of  Asellus, 
and  another  contained  beach  fleas.  Stomachs  of  2  examined  May 
7,  1901,  contained  may-fly  larvae  and  larvje  of  Chironomus. 

The  species  apparently  spawns  in  June  and  July.  One  found 
dead  on  the  shore  by  Lakeview  Hotel,  May  18,  was  much  distended 
with  ova;  the  eggs  were  yellow,  large  (11  to  the  inch)  and  about 
50  in  number.  Another  example,  2.63  inches  long,  taken  in  the 
lake  July  10,  contained  93  mature  eggs  each  about  1/15  of  an  inch 
in  diameter.  All  the  others  examined  in  July  were  either  spent 
fish  or  immature  individuals. 

Head  3.9 ;  depth  5 ;  eye  6 ;  snout  3 ;  D.  I,  6 ;  A.  13 ;  body  short 
and  thick,  the  head  large,  its  width  3.5  to  4.5  in  body;  posterior 
part  of  body  compressed :  spines  stout  and  long,  that  of  the  pectoral 
straight,  grooved  behind,  but  not  serrated,  its  length  about  2}^ 
in  distance  from  snout  to  origin  of  dorsal ;  dorsal  higher  than  long, 
inserted  nearer  anal  than  snout;  jaws  about  equal ;  humeral  process 
short;  adipose  fin  continuous  with  the  pointed  caudal. 

Color  uniform  yellowish  brown,  sometimes  blackish ;  a  narrow 
dark  lateral  streak  and  one  or  more  dorsal  ones. 

10.     COMMON  BUFFALO-FISH 

ICTIOBUS  CYPRINELLA    (Cuvier  &   Valenciennes) 

The  Buffalo-fish  was  formerly  abundant  in  the  larger  streams 
of  the  Mississippi  Valley,  and  was  also  plentiful  in  many  of  the 
lakes  in  that  region.  In  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  appears  to  be  rare; 
only  one  example  was  seen  during  the  course  of  our  investigations. 

*  The  poison   glands  of   Noturus   and   Schilbeodes,    by   Hush   Daniel    Reed,   Amer.    Nat.,    XLI, 
1907,  pp.   553-567. 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         333 

On  the  morning  of  Augaist  24,  1906,  Mr.  George  W.  Davis  and 
a  friend  went  out  fishing  toward  the  south  end  of  the  lake  in  a 
launch,  but  soon  returned  with  a  large  fish  in  tow.  It  was  landed 
at  the  Assembly  grounds  and  placed  on  the  pier  at  that  place  where 
its  size  at  once  attracted  attention,  for  it  was  not  only  the  largest 
fish  known  to  have  been  taken  in  this  lake,  but  considerably  the 
largest  Bufl'alo-fish  yet  reported;  previous  records  gave  the  Buf- 
falo-fish '*a  length  of  nearly  3  feet  and  a  weight  of  20  to  30 
pounds."  This  fish  was  4  feet  in  length,  35  inches  in  girth  and 
weighed  75  pounds.  It  was  taken  to  the  laboratory  and  skinned. 
The  fish  was  quite  fat;  it  had  immense  scales — some  of  them 
larger  than  a  silver  dollar.  The  stomach  appeared  to  be  full  of 
Chironomus  larvae.  It  contained  more  than  a  bucket  full  of  roe, 
the  ova  being  quite  small. 


Common    Buffalo-fish     {Ictiobua    cypriiiclla) 

The  Buffalo-fish,  like  the  paddle-fish,  is  one  of  those  fishes 
which  might  exist  in  the  lake  in  some  numbers  without  the  fact 
being  known,  as  they  generally  stay  near  the  bottom  and  never 
take  the  hook. 

Old  settlers  along  tributaries  of  the  Mississippi  report  that 
Buffalo-fish  used  to  run  in  such  schools  in  spring  that  it  was  im- 
possible to  ford  streams  while  the  run  was  in  progress.  In  gen- 
eral appearance  and  in  some  of  its  habits  the  Bufi'alo-fish  bears 
some  resemblance  to  the  carp.  In  some  of  the  lakes  of  the  Missis- 
sippi Valley  extraordinary  runs  of  very  large  Buffalo-fish  occur 
occasionally.  During  the  high  water  of  spring  the  fish  run  out  in 
great  numbers  into  the  overflowed  marshes  where  they  are  killed 
with  clubs,  pitchforks  oi/  other  weapons  at  hand.  The  flesh  is  of 
an  inferior  flavor,  but  nutritious. 


334         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Siirvey 

Old  settlers  about  the  lake  report  that  20  or  30  years  ago  they 
used  to  catch  a  good  many  Buffalo-fish  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  with 
the  spear,  A  large  one  is  reported  to  have  drifted  ashore  some 
30  years  ago  near  where  the  Farrar  cottage  now  stands. 

Head  very  large  and  thick,  3.5  in  length  of  body;  depth  2.5 
to  3.5  in  length;  developed  rays  of  dorsal  27  to  29;  anal  rays  9; 
ventrals  10;  scales  7-37  to  41-6.  Body  robust,  moderately  com- 
pressed, the  outline  somewhat  elliptical,  but  the  back  rather  more 
curved  than  the  belly.  Opercular  apparatus  very  strong,  the 
operculum  itself  forming  nearly  one  half  the  length  of  the  head. 
Coloration  dull  brownish  olive,  not  silvery ;  fins  dusky. 

11.     COMMON  SUCKER 

CATOSTOMUS  COMMERSONII    (Lacepede) 

(Plate  6) 

This  is  the  most  abundant  sucker  in  the  streams  and  lakes  from 
Quebec  and  Massachusetts  westward  to  Montana  and  Colorado 
and  southward  to  Missouri  and  Georgia.  It  does  not  appear  to 
be  at  all  abundant  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  On  the  night  of  Sep- 
tember 20,  1900,  two  large  examples,  each  about  18  inches  long 
and  weighing  about  2.5  pounds,  were  seined  in  shallow  water  in 
front  of  the  Fish  Commission  station.  A  few  small  ones  were 
found  dead  along  the  shore  of  the  lake  in  the  summer  of  1906.  No 
examples  were  caught  in  any  of  the  gillnets  which  we  had  set.  A 
few  young  individuals  were  seined  in  Culver  Inlet  and  in  the  Out- 
let below  Lost  Lake,  and  on  one  occasion  a  good  number  were 
seen  in  the  Outlet  some  distance  below  the  lakes. 

This  fish  does  not  take  the  hook,  and  when  captured  is  usually 
taken  in  nets  and  traps.  The  flesh  is  of  good  quality,  but  very  full 
of  small  bones.  No  opportunity  was  had  to  study  its  food  or 
habits,  as  so  few  were  seen. 

Body  moderately  stout,  varying  with  age,  subterete,  heavy  at 
the  shoulders,  the  depth  4  to  4.56  in  length.  Head  rather  large 
and  stout,  conical,  flatfish  above,  its  length  4  to  4.5  in  body  (3.5 
to  4.25  in  young) .  Snout  moderately  prominent,  scarcely  over- 
passing the  mouth.  Mouth  rather  large ;  the  lips  strongly  papil- 
lose, the  upper  moderate,  with  2  or  3  rows  of  papillae.  Scales 
crowded  anteriorly,  much  larger  on  the  sides  than  below;  scales 
10-64  to  70-9.  Coloration  olivaceous ;  males  in  spring  with  a  faint 
rosy  lateral  band ;  young  brownish,  more  or  less  mottled,  often 
with  confluent  blackish  lateral  blotches  or  a  lateral  band.  Lateral 
line  imperfect  in  the  very  young.     D.  usually  12.     L.  18  inches. 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         335 
12.     HOG-SUCKER 

HYPENTELIUM  NIGRICANS  (Le  Sueur) 

(Plate  7) 

The  Hog-sucker  is  abundant  in  swift  and  rocky  streams  from 
New  York  to  Minnesota  and  Kansas,  Arkansas  and  the  Carolinas. 
Like  all  other  well-known  species  of  wide  distribution,  it  has  re- 
ceived many  different  common  names,  among  which  are  Stone- 
roller,  Stone-toter,  Crawl-a-bottom,  Hammerhead,  Stone-lugger, 
Boot-leg  sucker.  Spotted  sucker.  Black  sucker  and  Hog-molly. 

The  Hog-sucker  is  not  at  all  common  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee. 
Six  examples  were  seined  July  18  near  the  Maxinkuckee  pier,  the 
largest  about  8  inches  long,  and  another  example  12.75  inches  long, 
was  obtained  later.  A  small  one  about  3  inches  long  was  washed 
up  dead  in  front  of  the  Fish  Commission  station  April  1,  1901. 
Mr.  Gardner  on  the  east  side  caught  a  specimen  about  August  16 
from  a  pool  by  his  house.  In  the  autumn  of  1907  one  was  fre- 
quently seen  in  the  Outlet  just  below  the  wagon  bridge,  and  one 
was  seen  near  shore  along  the  south  edge  of  Outlet  Bay. 

This  fish  is  not  a  lake  species,  but  one  which  prefers  clear 
pebbly  streams,  such  as  the  Tippecanoe.  Its  occurrence  in  any 
abundance  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  would,  therefore,  hardly  be  ex- 
pected. It  is  present  in  some  abundance  in  the  Outlet;  on  April 
2,  1901,  a  trip  was  taken  about  a  mile  down  the  Outlet  and  9 
examples,  each  about  a  foot  long,  were  seen  in  a  pile  on  the  shore 
with  spear  marks  on  them.  In  a  trip  down  the  Outlet  in  the 
autumn  of  1907  (September  30)  a  good  many  were  seen.  On 
August  9,  1906,  2  examples  about  9  inches  long  were  seined  in 
Yellow  River.  The  stomachs  were  examined  and  found  full  of 
mud  and  a  few  bits  of  insect  fragments. 

The  Hog-molly  can  often  be  seen  lying  motionless  at  the  bot- 
tom of  clear,  rather  swift  brooks,  the  black  stripes  across  its  back 
showing  distinctly  at  a  distance.  In  general  coloration  it  resembles 
a  pebbly  bottom  considerably  and  this  frequently  makes  it  difficult 
to  see.  In  its  general  aspect,  while  in  this  position  it  resembles 
somewhat  a  large  darter  or  a  miller's  thumb.  It  cannot  usually  be 
induced  to  bite,  though  a  hook  baited  with  a  tempting  morsel  be  let 
down  to  its  very  nose.  It  probably  lives  chiefly  on  insect  larvse 
and  such  microscopic  organisms  as  it  can  suck  up  from  the  bottom. 

This  sucker  reaches  a  length  of  about  2  feet.  Although  not  ex- 
tensively used  as  food  its  flesh  is  firm  and  flaky  and  possesses  a 
flavor  peculiarly  sweet  and  agreeable.  The  chief  objection  is  the 
abundance  of  small  fagot  bones. 

22—17618 


336         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

At  certain  places  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  this  fish,  along  with 
other  species  of  suckers,  is  utilized  to  some  extent  by  salting  for 
winter  use. 

Head  4  to  4.5  in  body ;  depth  4.5  to  5 ;  eye  rather  small,  4.5 
to  5  in  head,  placed  very  high.  D.  10  or  11 ;  A.  7 ;  V.  9 ;  scales  7-48 
to  55-6.  Head  flattened  above,  transversely  concave  between  the 
orbits,  the  frontal  bone  thick,  broad  and  short,  the  physiognomy 
being,  therefore,  peculiar.  Upper  lip  very  thick,  strongly  papil- 
lose, with  a  broad  free  margin,  which  has  upward  of  8  to  10  series 
of  papillse  upon  it;  lower  lip  greatly  developed,  considerably  in- 
cised behind,  but  less  so  than  in  related  species.  Fontanelle  shorter 
and  smaller  than  in  C.  commersonii,  pectoral  fins  usually  larger. 
Color  olivaceous ;  sides  with  brassy  luster ;  belly  white ;  back  brown, 
with  several  dark  cross-blotches,  irregularly  arranged,  these  be- 
coming obsolete  in  old  individuals ;  lower  fins  dull  red,  with  some 
dusky  shading ;  young  considerably  variegated,  the  sides  spotted. 

13.     CHUB  SUCKER 

ERIMYZON   SUCETTA    (Lacepede) 

(Plate  8) 

The  Chub  Sucker,  or  Creek  Fish  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  is 
found  throughout  the  Mississippi  Valley,  the  region  of  the  Great 
Lakes  and  in  coastwise  streams  from  Maryland  to  Texas.  It  pre- 
fers small  lakes,  bayous  and  sluggish  lowland  streams,  and,  where 
found,  is  usually  not  uncommon. 

At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  not  often  seen  in  the  main  lake  but 
in  the  Outlet  and  in  Lost  Lake  it  is  not  rare. 

In  our  seining  operations  about  the  lake  numerous  specimens 
were  secured.  Between  July  25  and  August  25,  612  hauls  were 
made  and  Chub  Suckers  were  taken  in  24  of  them,  the  total  num- 
ber of  specimens  being  109.  The  largest  number  in  any  single 
haul  was  23.  Specimens  were  obtained  in  Culver  Inlet,  Lost  Lake, 
and  in  the  Outlet  between  the  two  lakes.  A  few  were  got  near 
the  Vandalia  pumping  station  at  Culver  and  a  few  in  Norris  Inlet. 
On  May  29,  1901,  one  was  found  dead  in  Aubeenaubee  Bay,  and 
another  May  31  near  the  Assembly  grounds. 

The  young  of  this  species  bears  but  slight  superficial  resem- 
blance to  the  adult,  the  jet  black  lateral  band  and  the  small  mouth 
making  it  easy  to  mistake  them  for  minnows. 

This  species  reaches  a  length  of  6  to  8  inches.  Like  all  suck- 
ers it  is  quite  full  of  fagot  bones  but  is,  nevertheless,  a  delicious 
little  panfish.     The  flesh  is  firm  and  of  attractive  flavor. 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         337 

Head  4.25 ;  depth  3.25 ;  eye  4.25  to  6 ;  snout  2.5  to  3 ;  D.  12 ;  A. 
7 :  V.  9 ;  scales  36  to  42-15. 

Body  oblong,  compressed,  becoming  gibbous  with  age,  the  ante- 
dorsal  region  more  or  less  elevated  in  the  adult;  head  short  and 
stout,  the  interorbital  space  wide;  scales  closely  imbricated  and 
more  or  less  crowded  anteriorly;  mouth  small,  somewhat  inferior, 
the  upper  lip  well  developed  and  freely  protractile,  the  lower  small, 
infolded  A -shaped  in  outline,  plicate,  with  12  to  20  folds  on  each 
side. 

Color  varying  greatly  with  age ;  back  usually  dark  olivaceous, 
the  sides  with  pale  streaks  along  the  rows  of  scales;  belly  white; 
young  with  a  broad  black  lateral  band  bordered  above  by  paler, 
becoming  broken  up  later  into  a  series  of  blotches  which  sometimes 
assume  the  form  of  broad  transverse  bars ;  often  the  band  is  jet 
black  and  ends  in  a  jet  black  spot  at  base  of  caudal.  As  the  fish 
gets  older  this  black  band  becomes  less  distinct  and  finally  disap- 
pears, leaving  the  color  nearly  uniform  dusky  with  a  brassy  or 
coppery  luster;  the  fins  are  dusky,  the  lower  ones  sometimes  tinged 
with  reddish. 

A  young  example  2  inches  long,  taken  in  Lost  Lake  July  31,  had 
the  following  colors  in  life : 

Back  greenish-olive,  side  with  a  broad  black  band  beginning  as 
a  large  black  spot  at  base  of  caudal  and  running  along  side  a  little 
above  axis  of  body  to  tip  of  snout;  under  parts  and  lower  part 
of  side  silvery-white,  with  golden  or  coppery  wash ;  caudal  pale 
brick-red ;  dorsal  dark,  particularly  on  the  anterior  2  or  3  rays ; 
all  the  other  fins  pale ;  pectoral  with  a  thin  dark  edge.  An  adult 
8  inches  long  was  rich  greenish-olivaceous,  with  rich  brassy  ir- 
idescence; fins  all  greenish  brassy,  no  trace  of  black  lateral  band. 

The  sexual  differences  are  usually  well  marked,  the  males  in 
spring  with  large  tubercles  on  the  snout  and  the  anal  fin  more  or 
less  swollen  and  emarginate. 

14.     SPOTTED  SUCKER 

MINYTREMA  MELANOPS   (Rafinesque) 

This  species,  known  locally  as  Black  Sucker,  is  not  common  in 
these  lakes.  The  only  specimens  we  have  seen  were  four  examples 
seined  in  Lost  Lake,  October  21,  1913,  by  some  commercial  fisher- 
men who  undertook  to  "rid  Lake  Maxinkuckee  of  carp."  These 
specimens  were  14  to  16  inches  in  length. 

This  fish  is  also  known  as  Winter  Sucker.  It  attains  a  leng-th 
of  a  foot  to  18  inches  and,  as  a  food  fish,  is  one  of  the  best  of  the 
family,  the  flesh  being  firm,  flaky  and  particularly  sweet  and  palat- 


338         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

able.  It  occurs  throughout  the  region  from  the  Great  Lakes  south 
and  west  through  the  upper  Mississippi  Valley,  it  being  perhaps 
most  abundant  in  Missouri. 

It  may  be  known  from  all  other  suckers  by  the  following  de- 
scription :  Dorsal  fin  short,  with  only  12  rays ;  air-bladder  in  two 
parts ;  lateral  line  incomplete,  most  evident  in  the  adult,  the  scales 
large,  firm,  regularly  and  smoothly  imbricated,  in  44  to  47  longi- 
tudinal series.  Color  dusky  above,  usually  with  a  black  blotch  be- 
hind the  dorsal  fin;  each  scale  along  sides  with  a  small  blackish 
spot,  these  spots  forming  interrupted  lines  along  the  rows  of 
scales,  especially  distinct  in  the  adult,  faint  in  the  very  young. 

15.     REDHORSE 

MOXOSTOMA  AUREOLUM    (Le  Sueur) 

This  species  of  sucker,  so  common  in  most  of  the  rivers  and 
creeks  in  the  upper  Mississippi  Valley  and  the  Great  Lakes  region, 
is  apparently  very  rare  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  It  is  essentially  a 
fish  of  moderately  swiftly  flowing  streams  and  its  occurrence  in 
this  lake  was  unexpected.  Our  records  show  but  a  single  speci- 
men, an  example  6.5  inches  long,  obtained  in  the  summer  of  1900. 
In  neighboring  streams,  such  as  Yellow  and  Tippecanoe  rivers,  it 
is  a  common  and  well-known  fish.  It  is  variously  known  as  the 
Common  Redhorse,  White  Sucker,  Large-scaled  Sucker  and  Mullet. 
In  Indiana  it  is  most  commonly  called  the  Redhorse,  and  is  a 
familiar  fish  to  the  boys  and  others  who  go  a-fishing  in  the  spring 
and  early  summer.  It  is  not  often  caught  on  the  hook,  though 
when  the  hook  is  baited  with  angleworms  and  allowed  to  lie  on  the 
bottom  it  will  sometimes  be  sucked  in  by  the  Redhorse.  The 
method  usually  employed  in  the  capture  of  this  and  other  species 
of  suckers,  however,  was  by  means  of  the  wire  snare.  Favorite 
places  were  in  the  interstices  in  the  old  log  drifts  which  occurred 
all  too  frequently  in  the  smaller  Indiana  streams  30  to  40  years 
ago.  As  a  game-fish  not  much  can  be  said  for  the  Redhorse,  al- 
though it  fights  well  when  once  it  is  hooked.  As  a  food-fish  it  is 
excellent  except  for  the  abundance  of  fagot-bones.  In  a  fish  taken 
from  clear  cold  water,  the  flesh  is  firm  and  flaky  and  deliciously 
sweet.  At  various  places  in  the  Ohio  basin,  and  doubtless  else- 
where where  these  suckers  occur  abundantly,  they  are  salted  or  put 
up  in  brine  for  summer  use. 

The  breeding  habits  of  the  Redhorse  are  well-known.  In  the 
fall,  when  cold  weather  comes  on,  they  run  down  stream  and  re- 
tire to  the  quiet,  deeper  portions  of  the  river  where  they  remain 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         339 

through  the  wintei:.  When  the  warm  days  of  spring  return  these 
fish  leave  the  deeper  water  and  run  up  stream  into  the  shallow, 
swifter  portions.  This  spring  run  of  the  suckers  was,  in  the 
early  days,  one  of  the  phenomena  in  Indiana  and  Illinois  which 
never  failed  to  attract  the  attention  and  excite  the  interest  of  those 
who  were  at  all  observing. 

The  Redhorse  may  be  readily  known  from  all  other  species  of 
suckers  of  this  region  by  the  following  description,  based  on  the 
one  Maxinkuckee  specimen : 

Head  4.2  in  length ;  depth  3.9 ;  eye  4.75  in  head ;  snout  2.6 ;  in- 
terorbital  2.5;  dorsal  I,  13;  anal  7;  scales  7-42-4.  Body  stoutish, 
varying  to  moderately  elongate,  considerably  compressed,  dorsal 
outline  arched ;  head  rather  long,  bluntish,  rather  broad,;  flattened 
above;  lips  full,  the  nose  projecting;  lower  lip  strongly  plicate. 
Color  in  life  yellowish  or  light  rosy  above,  paler  on  sides,  whitish 
beneath;  fins  more  or  less  red,  fading  to  light  yellow  in  alcohol. 

16.     ROT-GUT  MINNOW 

CAMPOSTOMA  ANOMALUM   (Rafinesque) 

(Plate  9) 

This  minnow  is  common  in  streams  from  central  New  York 
westward  to  Wyoming  and  south  to  Tennessee  and  Texas.  It  is 
usually  most  abundant  in  deep  or  still  places  in  small  streams  with 
muddy  bottom.  In  the  spring  it  runs  into  the  smaller  brooks  at 
spawning  time.  Although  not  a  lake  fish  it  occurs  in  Maxinkuckee 
in  some  numbers.  In  July  and  August,  1899,  more  than  30  speci- 
mens were  seined  in  various  places  about  the  lake,  though  chiefly 
in  the  small  streams  flowing  into  it.  It  was  most  abundant  in 
Aubeenaubee  Creek ;  it  was  found  also  in  Norris  Inlet,  Culver  Inlet 
and  the  Outlet.  Only  rarely  have  we  taken  it  in  the  lake  proper; 
two  were  got  July  25,  1899,  near  the  pumping  house  of  the  Van- 
dalia  railroad  in  the  northwest  corner  of  the  lake  on  sandy  bot- 
tom covered  with  Hydrodyction  and  other  aquatics,  and  another 
was  obtained  near  shore  west  of  Lakeview  Hotel,  June  18,  1901. 
The  smallest  specimen  in  our  collection  is  2  inches  long,  the  largest 
5.625  inches. 

This  species  is  known  also  as  Stone-roller,  Stone-lugger,  Steel- 
backed  Chub,  Mammy  and  Doughbelly.  It  attains  a  length  of  5 
to  9  inches.  As  a  food  fish  it  possesses  very  little  value,  albeit,  it 
often  adorns  the  small  boy's  string.  Its  flesh  is  soft  and  doughy, 
full  of  small  bones,  and  quick  to  decay,  hastened,  no  doubt,  by  the 
character  and  quantity  of  food  usually  found  in  the  remarkablv 


340         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

long  intestine.  If  dressed  immediately  after  being  caught  and 
quickly  consigned  to  the  frying  pan  well  rolled  in  fine  meal  and 
seasoned  with  butter,  and  browned  to  a  turn,  it  is  a  dainty  morsel. 
It  is  as  a  bait  minnow,  however,  that  this  fish  is  of  most  value, 
and  it  is  often  seen  in  the  minnow  buckets  of  anglers  about  the 
lake.  It  is  fairly  good  as  a  deep  troller,  and  is  excellent  in  shal- 
lower w^ater  provided  it  is  kept  near  the  surface.  Its  tendency 
is  to  bear  down  and  become  entangled  in  the  weeds  if  there  be 
any  present,  where  it  will  pout  and  sulk.  It  lives  well  and  is 
active  on  the  hook  when  held  up.  It  is  a  good  bait  for  bass  and 
wall-eyed  pike  but  too  big  for  yellow  perch. 

This  species  can  be  readily  distinguished  from  any  of  the  other 
minnows  of  the  lake  by  an  examination  of  the  very  long  intestine, 
which  is  spirally  coiled  around  the  air-bladder,  a  feature  peculiar 
to  the  genus  to  which  it  belongs. 

The  males  are  so  greatly  modified  by  the  development  of 
tubercles  over  the  body  during  the  breeding  season  that  they  hardly 
look  like  the  same  fish;  an  example  4.75  inches  long  caught  in  the 
Outlet  at  the  railroad  bridge  June  16,  1901,  was  so  decorated. 
Several  large  tubercles  adorned  the  head,  and  the  greater  number 
of  scales  on  the  upper  part  of  the  body  contained  each  a  small 
tubercle  near  the  center.  These  tubercles  appeared  to  be  com- 
posed of  a  horny  substance  and  were  each  seated  in  a  more  or 
less  pit-like  depression. 

Head  4.2  in  body ;  depth  4.4 ;  D.  8 ;  A.  7 ;  scales  7-53-8 ;  teeth  4-4 
or  1,  4-4,  0.  Body  stoutish,  moderately  compressed,  the  ante- 
dorsal  region  becoming  swollen  and  prominent  in  the  adult.  Snout 
moderately  decurved.  Scales  deep,  rather  small  and  crowded  an- 
teriorly; maxillary  not  reaching  to  opposite  the  front  of  eye.  In- 
testine very  long  and  wound  around  the  air  bladder.  Color  brown- 
ish, with  a  brassy  luster  above,  the  scales  more  or  less  mottled 
with  dark;  a  dusky  vertical  bar  behind  the  opercle;  dorsal  and 
anal  fins  each  with  a  dusky  crossbar  about  halfway  up ;  the  rest  of 
the  fin,  olivaceous  in  females,  fiery  red  in  the  males  in  the  spring, 
the  iris  orange  in  males.  Extremely  variable.  The  young  very 
difi'erent  in  appearance  from  the  old  males.     Length  6  to  8  inches. 

17.    CARP 

CYPRINUS    CARPIO    Linnaeus 

(Plates  10,  11,  and  12) 

During  the  seining  operations  of  1899-1900  not  a  single  Carp 
was  taken  in  the  lake  and  we  have  no  specimens  of  this  species  in 


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Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         341 

the  collection  made  at  the  lake.  So  far  as  knowTi,  no  Carp  has  yet 
been  taken  out  of  the  body  of  the  lake  itself,  but  as  they  have  been 
taken  in  the  marshes  at  both  the  Outlet  and  Inlet  regions,  they  are 
in  all  probability  present  in  the  lake.  They  have  never  been  noted 
splashing-  about  in  shallow  water  of  the  lakes  as  they  usually  do 
when  abundant.  The  Carp  made  its  first  appearance  in  the  region 
on  the  night  of  July  1,  1902.  At  about  2  o'clock  that  night  Mr.  S. 
S.  Chadwick  heard  several  big  fishes  floundering  about  in  Green's 
marsh.  He  and  Mr.  E.  Hatton  took  a  lantern  and  tried  to  see 
them.  There  appeared  to  be  a  good  many  large  fishes  splashing 
among  the  grass  and  bushes,  and  sometimes  their  dorsal  fins  could 
be  seen  projecting  above  the  water.  The  fins  indicated  quite  large 
fish.  In  the  afternoon  of  July  2  two  men  took  a  boat  and  rowed 
all  over  Green's  marsh,  but  saw  nothing.  The  fish  had  either  re- 
turned to  Lost  Lake  or  were  hidden  in  the  grass  or  bushes.  Late 
the  same  evening  a  large  fish  was  seen  at  the  lower  end  of  the  tile 
under  the  railroad.  It  swam  down  the  ditch  among  the  grass. 
The  next  day  several  large  fish  were  seen  in  the  marsh,  and  one 
was  shot  which  proved  to  be  a  Carp  22  inches  long,  and  weighing 
just  5  pounds.  Another  much  larger  one  was  seen.  Part  of  the 
Carp  which  was  shot  was  fried,  and  those  who  partook  of  it  re- 
ported it  pretty  fair  eating. 

On  December  30,  1905,  some  large  fish  thought  to  be  these, 
were  seen  through  clear  ice  in  the  Outlet  about  a  mile  below  the 
lakes. 

So  far  as  known  the  Carp  first  appeared  here  in  considerable 
numbers  about  May  13,  1905.  The  following  extract  from  a  letter 
from  Mr.  S.  S.  Chadwick,  June  4,  1905,  describes  the  Carp  situation 
at  that  time:  "Water  was  very  high  and  Carp  came  out  in  the 
field  west  of  me  [Green's  marsh].  Mr.  Green  came  up  to  my 
place  Friday,  May  12,  and  said  that  the  Carp  were  plentiful  out 
in  the  pasture.  I  went  and  got  9.  The  next  morning  I  got  up 
at  4 :30,  took  a  4-tined  fork,  crossed  the  road,  and  opened  up  on 
them.  At  5  Mrs.  Chadwick  brought  out  a  washtub  and  I  put  in 
11  Carp  that  filled  it.  The  largest,  32  inches  long,  weighed  19 
pounds.  In  the  two  mornings  I  killed  21  Carp.  I  gave  15  to  my 
neighbors  and  skinned  the  other  6,  rolled  them  in  paper  and  put 
them  on  ice.  We  had  fish  for  8  days,  split  the  large  one  and  made 
cut  chops  out  of  it,  1  rib  to  the  piece,  enough  for  an  order,  and  I 
will  say  this  for  the  Carp,  the  5  to  8  pound  ones  are  perhaps  bet- 
ter than  the  larger  ones.  Flesh  sweet  and  much  better  than  the 
large-mouth  black  bass.  I  was  surprised,  indeed;  so  were  my 
guests.     Mrs.  C.  fried  them  and  every  one  pronounced  them  fine. 


342         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

There  were  from  150  to  200  Carp  taken  out  of  that  field  and  the 
Outlet  between  the  two  bridges.  In  Harvey  Norris's  field  south 
of  his  house,  one  16-pounder  and  20  or  more  smaller  were  caught." 

In  1907,  late  in  June,  many  Carp  were  seen  in  Green's  marsh. 
One  man  shot  two  and  speared  five  others,  and  many  others  were 
taken.  The  largest  obtained  this  year  that  we  have  any  record 
of  weighed  8  pounds. 

In  the  autumn  of  1907,  a  trip  was  taken  by  boat  from  Lake 
Maxinkuckee  down  the  Outlet  to  the  Tippecanoe  River.  No  sign 
of  Carp  was  seen  either  in  Lost  Lake  or  in  the  Outlet.  It  is  some- 
what surprising  that  this  fish,  so  much  in  evidence  in  the  flats  in 
the  high  water  of  spring,  should  appear  to  be  wholly  absent  during 
the  rest  of  the  year. 

In  October,  1913,  a  party  from  Wisconsin  came  to  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee prepared  to  "rid  the  lake  of  the  carp."  They  were  equipped 
with  a  seine  several  hundred  yards  long  and  all  the  necessary  boats, 
winches  and  all  other  needful  paraphernalia  and  authority,  includ- 
ing a  permit  and  moral  support  from  the  State  Fish  and  Game 
Commission.  On  October  20,  one  haul  was  made  in  Aubeenaubee 
Bay;  result,  about  1,000  bass,  but  not  one  Carp!  The  next  day 
Lost  Lake  was  seined  with  only  slightly  better  success,  the  catch 
consisting  of  an  immense  number  of  straw  bass  (some  weighing 
about  seven  pounds  each),  a  great  many  bluegills,  a  few  dog- 
fish, a  few  redhorse,  two  striped  suckers,  a  lot  of  miscellaneous 
species,  and  three  Carp! 

From  which  it  appears  that  the  Carp  is  not,  as  yet,  very  com- 
mon in  Lake  Maxinkuckee. 

About  the  lake,  as  in  other  places  throughout  the  country,  there 
is  a  good  deal  of  prejudice  against  the  Carp,  which  has  no  founda- 
tion in  fact.  They  are  supposed  to  devour  the  eggs  of  other  fishes, 
but  very  few  eggs  have  ever  been  reported  as  having  been  found 
in  their  stomachs.^'  They  are  supposed  to  drive  away  other  fishes, 
but  almost  any  of  our  spiny-rayed  fishes  could  probably  drive  away 
the  Carp.  They  are  omnivorous,  living  on  vegetable  food,  and  al- 
most anything  else  small  enough  to  take  into  their  mouths.  The 
young  furnish  a  large  amount  of  food  to  carnivorous  fishes,  such 
as  bass  and  perch. 

In  the  winter  of  1903  Carp  were  observed  in  great  numbers  in 
lagoons  in  Jackson  Park,  Chicago;  the  fishes  swarmed  up  to  air- 
holes by  the  thousands  and  many  people  caught  them  in  their 
bare  hands. 


*  Leon  J.   Cole  examined  the  stomach   contents  of  33  carp   critically  and  many  others  less 
carefully  and  found  only  3  fish  eggs. 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         343 

Carp  are  usually  caught  by  net,  as  they  are  not,  as  a  rule,  ready 
biters  at  the  hook.  Small  ones  are,  however,  frequently  caught  on 
the  hook  along  the  upper  Mississippi.  The  favorite  bait  is  the 
dough  ball,  or  a  bit  of  potato.  They  will,  however,  also  take  the 
angleworm  and  are  sometimes  caught  on  set-lines  baited  with 
angleworms.  As  a  game-fish  the  Carp  is  not  to  be  despised;  in- 
deed, in  some  regions  it  is  held  in  high  esteem  and  eagerly  sought 
by  local  anglers.  It  is  really  quite  gamy,  and  a  4  to  10  pound 
Carp  is  able  to  make  a  fight  that  will  delight  even  the  most  expert 
angler. 

The  Carp  is  very  productive,  the  number  of  eggs  reported  for 
4-  to  25-pound  fish  ranging  from  100,000  to  more  than  2,000,000. 
Dr.  Cole  found  that  the  eggs  of  a  17-pound  Carp  weighed  27  per 
cent  of  the  entire  weight  of  the  fish. 

The  Carp  makes  no  nest  but  simply  leaves  the  eggs  scattered 
about  on  the  vegetation  in  shallow  water  and  gives  no  further  at- 
tention to  them. 

As  a  food-fish  in  American  waters  the  Carp  has  undoubtedly 
come  to  stay.  The  annual  catch  now  amounts  to  many  million 
pounds,  valued  at  hundreds  of  thousands  of  dollars. 

Body  robust,  compressed,  resembling  that  of  the  buff'alo-fish. 
Mouth  moderate,  anterior,  with  4  long  barbels.  Snout  blunt, 
rounded;  D.  Ill,  20,  the  first  spine  strongly  serrated;  A.  iii,  5; 
teeth,  I,  I,  8-3,  I,  I;  scales  normally  5-38-5,  but  sometimes  few 
and  large,  scattered  (mirror  carp)  or  absent  (leather  carp)  ;  many 
variations  present,  due  to  domestication.  Habitat,  fresh  waters 
of  Asia ;  introduced  into  Europe  and  America  as  a  food-fish. 

18.     BLUNT-NOSED  MINNOW 

PIMP:PHALES  NOTATUS   (Rafinesque) 

This  little  fish  is  found  from  Quebec  to  Delaware,  Arkansas  and 
the  Dakotas.     It  is  generally  abundant  in  small  streams. 

In  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  a  very  common  and  well-known  fish. 
In  our  seining  operations  many  specimens  were  obtained,  the  num- 
ber taken  at  each  haul  varying  from  1  to  30.  The  species  was  rep- 
resented in  79  out  of  612  hauls  and  by  268  specimens.  They  are 
most  frequently  met  with  where  the  water  is  shallow  and  the  bot- 
tom of  mixed  sand  and  gravel  covered  sparsely  with  vegetation. 
During  the  spring  and  summer  they  are  usually  found  singly  or 
only  a  few  together,  but  later  they  bunch  up  and  in  the  fall  and 
winter  they  are  found  in  considerable  schools.  These  schools  are 
usually  found  near  shore,  particularly  under  or  about  the  piers. 


344         Lake  Maxinktickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

On  bright  sunny  days  they  may  be  seen  swimming  along  in  shallow- 
water  and  feeding  upon  entomostraca  and  other  plankton  elements 
at  the  surface.  Even  after  ice  has  formed  these  schools  may  be 
seen.  On  November  14  and  27  many  were  found  frozen  in  pools 
along  shore,  59  being  taken  from  one  pool. 

The  breeding  season  of  this  minnow  is  early  in  June.  On  June 
6  several  nests  were  found  in  shallow  water  near  the  south  shore 
of  Outlet  Bay.  On  June  8  more  were  found.  They  were  invari- 
ably found  under  small  pieces  of  boards  or  other  flat  objects  lying 
on  the  bottom.  Eight  nests  were  found  under  one  long  board  and 
two  are  often  seen  under  one  small  piece  of  board.  Upon  lifting 
the  board  a  rather  broad  but  shallow  burrow  or  depression  is  found 
under  it,  and  usually  a  small  fish  is  seen  swimming  anxiously  back 
and  forth  in  the  burrow.  The  eggs  are  found  attached  to  the 
under  side  of  the  board  m  a  single  compact  layer.  They  are  pink- 
ish white  or  transparent  pinkish  in  color  and  about  17  to  the  inch 


,^^_^^«-':-:iSi-: 


Blunt-nosed  Minnow    (Pi»tcphalcs  wofofw.s) 


in  size.  The  eggs  in  some  of  the  nests  were  evidently  fresh,  while 
those  of  other  nests  examined  on  the  same  date  showed  eye-spots 
and  light  wiggling  motions.  Several  of  these  nests  were  examined 
again  on  June  16  and  the  parent  fish  were  still  present. 

Crawfishes  apparently  feed  to  some  extent  on  the  eggs  of  these 
fishes.  One  or  more  were  seen  under  nearly  every  board  which 
contained  a  nest,  and  the  eggs  disappeared  before  ready  to  hatch. 

As  a  bait  minnow  this  species  is  one  of  the  most  desirable, 
perhaps  the  best  of  those  found  in  the  lake.  All  except  the  largest 
are  too  small  for  trolling,  but  for  deep-water  fishing  it  is  excellent. 
It  is  very  tough  and  lives  well  in  all  kinds  of  water  and  at  all 
depths.  It  is  a  good  fighter  and  very  active  on  the  hook.  It  may 
be  used  at  any  season  and  is  good  for  wall-eyed  pike,  bass  and 
perch,  and  all  other  game  fishes  of  the  lake  except  the  bluegill. 

The  Blunt-nosed  Minnow  is  the  only  species  of  the  genus  found 
in  the  lake.  It  may  be  readily  known  from  the  following  descrip- 
tion: 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         345 

Head  4.3  in  body;  depth  4.6;  eye  3.4  in  head;  snout  3.6;  dorsal 
I,  8 ;  anal  7 ;  scales  6-41  to  45-4 ;  teeth  4-4. 

Body  rather  elongate,  not  much  elevated,  only  moderately  com- 
pressed; head  rather  short,  the  snout  blunt  and  convex;  top  of 
head  depressed,  cheeks  vertical;  mouth  small,  inferior,  horizontal. 
Fins  small,  the  dorsal  moderate,  the  first  ray  distinct  and  spine- 
like in  the  male,  slender  in  the  female;  anal  fin  small,  caudal  fin 
short.  Scales  moderate,  deep,  closely  imbricated,  23  rows  in  front 
of  dorsal ;  eye  small. 

Color,  back  olivaceous;  sides  bluish  silvery,  belly  white;  nose 
bluish;  a  black  spot  on  the  dorsal  fin  in  front  near  the  base;  a 
dusky  blotch  at  base  of  caudal  fin ;  fins  often  reddish. 

Comparative  measurements  were  taken  of  150  examples  of  this 
species.  These  specimens  ranged  in  length  from  1.5  to  3  inches, 
the  aveage  being  2  inches. 

19.     COMMON  CHUB 

SEMOTILUS  ATROMACULATUS   (Mitchill) 

At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  this  fish  is  confined  practically  to  the 
small  tributary  streams.  Numerous  specimens  varying  in  length 
from  1  to  9  or  10  inches  were  obtained  in  each  of  the  inlets,  per- 
haps most  numerously  in  Aubeenaubee  Creek;  and  a  few  were  ob- 
tained in  the  Outlet.  In  all  of  these  little  streams  it  pushes  well 
toward  the  head,  and  good-sized  examples  may  be  found  where  the 
stream  is  but  a  few  inches  deep.  Their  favorite  place,  however, 
is  in  the  deeper,  more  quiet  pools  of  these  small  streams.  Though 
they  can  endure  a  relatively  high  temperature  and  water  which  is 
not  very  pure,  they  are  often  so  crowded  in  these  pools  that  the 
water  becomes  poorly  aerated  and  quite  impure,  and  the  fish  be- 
comes infested  by  various  sorts  of  psorosperms  and  other  para- 
sites. These,  however,  rarely  seem  to  prove  fatal,  and  when  the 
fish  are  removed  to  favorable  surroundings  they  speedily  recover. 

The  Common  Chub  I'eaches  a  length  of  8  to  10  inches  and  is 
one  of  the  fishes  quite  sure  to  be  found  on  the  small  boy's  string. 
It  is  one  of  the  most  voracious  of  the  minnows  and  the  sum  total  of 
sport  which  it  brings  to  the  youth  of  the  land  is  no  doubt  quite 
as  great  as  that  which  better  fish  bring  to  these  same  boys  when 
no  longer  young.  But  while  the  mature  angler  no  longer  seeks  the 
festive  chub  for  its  own  sake,  he  nevertheless  finds  it  a  very  useful 
fish,  for  when  he  would  land  the  wall-eyed  pike,  great  pike,  or 
muskallunge,  he  finds  no  better  bait  than  this  same  Chub ;  the  larger 
ones  for  these  species  and  smaller  ones  for  black  bass.     The  Chub 


346         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


is  a  hardy  bait,  active  on  the  hook  and  attractive  to  the  game 
fishes  just  named. 

The  principal  food  of  the  Chub  consists  of  insect  larvae,  aquatic 
insects,  worms  and  small  crustaceans. 

Head  3.75  to  4;  depth  4.75;  eye  7.5;  snout  3;  interorbital  2.4; 
D.  8;  A.  8;  scales  9-57-5, — about  40  before  the  dorsal;  teeth  2, 
5-4,  2. 

Body  stout,  not  much  compressed,  the  dorsal  outline  arched 
somewhat  in  front  of  dorsal,  the  body  tapering  backward  from  a 
point  considerably  in  front  of  dorsal,  so  that  the  base  of  that  fin 
is  quite  oblique;  head  large,  bluntly  conic,  broad  and  rounded 
above;  snout  broad;  mouth  broad,  oblique,  lower  jaw  somewhat 
included,  the  upper  lip  entirely  below  level  of  pupil ;  maxillary 


I       to 


\\>' 


Common    Chub    (Scmotilus   atroma(ndatiis) 

barely  reaching  front  of  orbit;  maxillary  barbel  small,  sometimes 
not  evident ;  eye  small ;  scales  small,  greatly  reduced  and  crowded 
anteriorly;  lateral  line  strongly  decurved. 

Color,  dusky  bluish  above,  side  with  a  vague  dusky  band,  quite 
black  in  the  young,  but  almost  or  entirely  disappearing  with  age ; 
belly  whitish,  rosy  in  breeding  males ;  dorsal  fin  with  a  large  black 
spot  on  base  of  anterior  rays,  bordered  with  red  in  the  adult  male ; 
a  dusky  vertebral  line ;  scales  everywhere  black  at  base  and  dusky 
on  edges ;  a  broad  black  bar  on  shoulder  behind  opercular  opening ; 
males  in  spring  with  the  snout  coarsely  tuberculate ;  young  with  a 
small  black  spot  at  base  of  caudal.  The  Chub  varies  somewhat 
in  the  number  of  scales,  northern  specimens  having  an  increased 
number.  Our  specimens  have  from  57  to  60.  The  number  of 
fin-rays  is  also  large  in  our  specimens,  one  having  D.  8 ;  A.  9,  and 
another  D.  9 ;  A.  9. 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         347 

20.     ROACH 

ABRAMIS   CRYSOLEUCAS    (Mitchill) 

(Plate  13) 

The  Roach,  known  also  as  the  Golden  Shiner  or  Bream,  is  a 
common  fish  from  Nova  Scotia  and  Maine  to  the  Dakotas  and  south 
to  Texas,  on  both  sides  of  the  Alleghenies,  and  is  usually  abundant 
in  weedy  ponds  and  sluggish  streams.  It  is  not  abundant  in  Lake 
Maxinkuckee ;  specimens  were  obtained  in  only  7  hauls  of  the  seine 
and  of  these  6  were  made  in  Culver  Inlet,  and  one  in  the  outlet 
below  Lost  Lake.  A  few  were  seen,  along  with  calico  bass  and 
bluegills  under  the  Merchant  pier,  near  Culver,  Nov.  15,  1906.  In 
all,  59  specimens,  ranging  from  1]  to  b'i  inches,  were  taken.  It  is 
a  handsome,  hardy  fish,  and  w^ould  make  a  very  attractive  aquarium 
fish.    It  is  sometimes  used,  along  with  other  minnows,  for  bait. 

This  species  reaches  a  maximum  length  of  about  a  foot  and  may 
be  known  from  other  minnows  inhabiting  this  lake  by  the  greatly 
compressed  body,  the  small  mouth,  the  large  anal  fin  and  the 
greatly  decurved  lateral  line. 

Head  4.5 ;  depth  3.5 ;  eye  4 ;  snout  4 ;  maxillary  4.3  ;  mandible  3 ; 
interorbital  2.6 ;  caudal  peduncle  2 ;  D.  I,  8 ;  A.  I,  12 ;  scales  11-51-3. 

Body  elongate  ovate,  strongly  compressed ;  head  small  and 
short,  moderately  pointed ;  snout  short,  pointed ;  eye  moderate,  in 
axis  of  body ;  mouth  small,  oblique,  maxillary  not  reaching  eye ; 
jaws  subequal.  Fins  moderate;  origin  of  dorsal  behind  insertion 
of  ventrals  and  a  little  nearer  base  of  caudal  than  tip  of  snout; 
first  dorsal  ray  longest,  1.2  in  head ;  last  ray  about  ^  length  of 
first;  base  of  dorsal  1.75  in  longest  ray;  free  edge  of  anal  con- 
cave, the  first  rays  longest,  about  1.2  in  longest  dorsal;  last  anal 
ray  about  3  in  first,  base  of  anal  equal  to  longest  ray;  caudal 
widely  forked,  the  notch  rounded,  the  lower  lobe  slightly  longer, 
greater  than  head,  the  upper  scarcely  equal  to  head;  pectoral 
small,  short,  1.3  in  head,  not  reaching  insertion  of  ventrals ;  ven- 
trals shorter  than  pectoral,  reaching  f  way  to  anal ;  scales  rather 
small,  not  very  firm,  and  not  closely  imbricated;  lateral  line  com- 
plete, strongly  decurved. 

Color,  clear  greenish  above ;  side  silvery,  with  bright  golden  re- 
flections ;  fins  yellow-greenish,  the  tips  of  the  lower  fins  sometimes 
somewhat  orange  in  breeding  males. 


348         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  - 

21.     BLACK-STRIPED  MINNOW 

NOTROPIS  BIFRENATUS    (Cope) 

Up  to  10  or  11  years  ago,  this  handsome  Httle  minnow  was 
known  only  as  a  rather  uncommon  fish  in  streams  along  the  coast 
from  Massachusetts  to  Maryland.  In  1898,  Dr.  W.  C.  Kendall  of 
the  Bureau  of  Fisheries,  obtained  a  good  number  in  a  bay  near 
the  mouth  of  Songo  River,  at  Sebago  Lake,  Maine.  At  Lake  Max- 
inkuckee, 5  specimens  of  this  species  have  been  found,  2,  each  about 
1^  in.  long,  in  Lost  Lake  Aug.  25,  1900,  a  third  about  an  inch 
long  of  which  the  date  has  been  lost,  another  example  li  inches 
long  was  taken  in  Aubeenaubee  Creek  near  the  mouth  November 
15,  1904,  and  the  fifth,  1^  inches  long,  in  Lost  Lake,  Dec.  24,  1904. 
These  specimens  agree  perfectly  with  those  obtained  at  Sebago 
Lake,  Maine,  by  Dr.  Kendall,  except  that  ours  have  a  slightly  larger 
eye  and  a  slightly  larger  mouth. 

The  Black-striped  Minnow  very  closely  resembles  the  young  of 
the  chub  sucker,  from  which  it  can  be  distinguished  by  the  struc- 
ture of  the  mouth.  It  can  be  at  once  distinguished  from  any  other 
of  the  minnows  of  the  lake  by  its  intense  contrastive  markings. 
It  differs  from  Notropis  cayuga,  which  it  resembles  more  closely 
than  any  other  minnow  of  the  region,  in  the  larger  mouth,  black 
lower  jaw,  stouter  body,  and  much  blacker  lateral  band.  The 
black  lateral  band  in  bifrenaUts  is  solid  and  continuous,  that  in 
cayuga  is  made  up  of  a  series  of  black  vertical  bars,  somewhat 
lunate  in  the  anterior  part  of  the  body,  separated  by  less  black,  sil- 
very interspaces. 

Head  4.2  in  length ;  depth  4.2 ;  eye  3  in  head ;  D.  8 ;  A.  7 ;  scales 
5-86-3 ;  13  scales  before  dorsal ;  teeth  4-4.  Body  with  both  dorsal 
and  ventral  outlines  somewhat  arched;  the  caudal  peduncle  some- 
what contracted.  Head  moderate,  the  muzzle  very  obtuse.  Mouth 
oblique,  the  jaws  about  equal;  upper  lip  opposite  lower  part  of 
pupil.  Eye  large,  greater  in  diameter  than  length  of  snout ;  pores 
of  lateral  line  developed  on  only  a  few  of  the  anterior  scales. 

Straw-colored,  the  scales  brown-edged  above;  a  shining  black 
band  from  snout  through  eye  to  caudal,  including  edge  of  lower 
jaw;  an  orange  band  above  this  on  the  snout;  regions  below  the 
black  band  silvery.     Length  1^  to  2  inches. 

On  account  of  its  rarity,  this  minnow  is  not  generally  known  to 
the  anglers  of  the  vicinity.  Its  small  size  would  probably  prevent 
its  being  used  as  a  bait  minnow,  though  its  attractive  colors  might 
make  it  a  good  lure. 


o 
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en 

1— I 

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^\% 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         349 
22.     CAYUGA  MINNOW 

NOTROPIS   CAYUGA   Meek 

(Plate  14) 

The  Cayuga  Minnow  is  a  rather  common  fish  in  lakes,  ponds  and 
streams  from  Cayuga  Lake  and  northern  New  York,  westward  to 
Assiniboia,  South  Dakota,  Nebraska,  Kansas  and  Arkansas.  It  is 
an  insignificant  little  fish,  usually  too  small  to  be  used  for  bait,  and 
chiefly  useful  as  food  for  other  fishes.  It  is  generally  overlooked 
by  minnow  seiners  and  anglers,  and  is  usually  known  only  from 
regions  where  systematic  collecting  has  been  done;  its  small  size 
and  modest  colors  enable  it  to  elude  common  observation. 

It  does  not  appear  to  be  common  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  proper; 
our  only  record  is  of  5  specimens  taken  July  7,  1900.  It  appears, 
however,  to  be  quite  abundant  in  Lost  Lake.  On  July  29,  1899, 
19  specimens  were  obtained  there,  and  the  species  appeared  to  be 
exceedingly  abundant  at  that  place  during  the  late  autumn  of  1907. 
Late  in  October  and  during  the  first  week  of  November  of  that 
year,  it  swarmed  in  myriads  in  the  shallow  water  along  the  shore. 
On  November  5,  1907,  more  than  a  bushel  were  taken  in  one  haul 
with  a  12-foot  seine  dragged  through  a  space  not  exceeding  about 
50  square  feet  of  water,  near  the  Bardsley  cottage.  Of  these  about 
a  gallon  were  saved  and  found  to  consist  of  1,907  of  this  species, 
48  Notropis  heterodon,  25  Pimephales  notatiis,  7  Ahramis  cryso- 
leucas  and  4  Notropis  hlennius.  The  stomachs  of  a  number  of  the 
Cayuga  minnows  taken  in  this  haul  were  examined  and  found 
to  contain  various  kinds  of  entomostraca  and  several  different 
sorts  of  diatoms ;  among  the  entomostraca  were  Diaptomus,  Bos- 
mina  and  Daphnia;  among  the  diatoms  were  species  of  Navicula, 
Pleurosigma  and  Cymatopleura.  It  was  thought  at  first  that  these 
came  from  the  stomachs  of  the  waterfleas,  but  these  were  quite 
free  from  them.  One  filament  of  Spyrogyra  and  one  of  Lyngbya, 
observed  were  probably  taken  by  accident.  At  that  time  the  entire 
east  shore  of  Lost  Lake  from  the  Bardsley  cottage  southward  was 
a  mass  of  these  small  minnows,  so  uniformly  abundant  and 
crowded  that  it  was  practicall}^  impossible  to  observe  anj-  segrega- 
tion into  schools. 

Our  specimens  differ  somewhat  from  the  descriptions  of  typical 
N.  cayuga  in  having  the  lower  jaw  subequal  or  included,  and  not 
projecting.  In  this  respect  they  resemble  A^.  anogenus,  from  which 
they  differ,  however,  in  having  the  lateral  line  incomplete.  The 
chin  usually  has  a  few  minute  punctulations,  but  would  be  called 


350         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

pale  in  comparison  with  that  of  N.  heterodon.  The  following  is  a 
description  of  a  typical  specimen : 

Head  4.1  in  leng-th ;  depth  5.1 ;  eye  3  in  head ;  snout  3 ;  D.  8 ; 
A.  8 ;  teeth  4-4 ;  scales  5-36-4,  -14  before  dorsal ;  lateral  line  usually 
quite  incomplete.  Body  rather  slender,  moderately  compressed, 
heaviest  forward;  caudal  peduncle  long  and  slender;  head  rather 
broad ;  snout  short,  bluntly  rounded ;  mouth  small,  maxillary  not 
nearly  reaching  eye,  the  lower  jaw  usually  included  or  little  pro- 
jecting; eye  large;  fins  moderate,  origin  of  dorsal  slightly  behind 
insertion  of  ventrals;  caudal  rather  deeply  forked,  the  inner  rays 
scarcely  exceeding  half  length  of  outer  ones. 

Color,  pale  yellowish  or  straw-color  above,  whitish  below;  back 
and  two  rows  of  scales  on  each  side  with  a  border  of  dark  stippling 
about  each  side ;  middle  of  side  with  a  broad  plumbeous  band  over- 
laid with  black  arranged  in  short  vertical  masses  separated  by  sil- 
very interspaces  which  are  less  heavily  punctate  with  black,  this 
black  band  extending  on  to  base  of  caudal  fin  and  through  eye 
around  snout.     Length  1  to  2.5  inches. 


^ 


Variable-toothed  Minnow    (Notropis  heterodon) 

« 

23.     VARIABLE-TOOTHED  MINNOW 

NOTROPIS  HETERODON    (Cope) 

The  Variable-toothed  Minnow  is  rather  common  from  New 
York  to  Michigan  and  Kansas.  Like  its  near  relative,  the  Cayuga 
minnow,  it  is  a  rather  insignificant  little  fish,  so  much  like  a  host 
of  relatives  that  it  is  not  generally  distinguished  from  the  great 
mass  of  "minnows"  by  most  people.  It  can  be  distinguished  from 
the  Cayuga  minnow,  which  it  closely  resembles,  by  the  larger 
mouth  and  bit  of  black  on  the  chin.  The  young  of  this  species  have 
a  broad  black  band  on  the  side,  and  quite  closelj^  resemble  the  young 
of  the  chub  sucker  {Erlmyzon  sticetta) .  They  are  not  so  deep, 
however,  and  have  a  difi"erently  shaped  mouth. 


> 

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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         351 

Our  collection  contains  111  specimens,  ranging  from  1.12  to 
2.5  inches  in  length,  34  of  which  were  obtained  in  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee, 75  in  Lost  Lake,  1  in  Aubeenaubee  Creek  and  1  in  Culver 
Inlet. 

Head  4  in  length ;  depth  4 ;  eye  3  in  head ;  snout  equal  to  eye ; 
D.  8 ;  A.  8 ;  scales  5-36-3,  the  lateral  line  extending  about  half  the 
length  of  the  body;  teeth  4-4  (sometimes  2,  4-4,  2)  often  crenate. 
Body  moderately  stout,  the  back  somewhat  elevated;  head  rather 
pointed,  the  muzzle  acuminate ;  mouth  rather  oblique,  lower  jaw 
projecting;  upper  lip  opposite  upper  rim  of  pupil;  maxillary  ex- 
tending to  opposite  front  rim  of  orbit;  thirteen  scales  in  front  of 
dorsal. 

Color :  Back  golden  olivaceous ;  top  of  head  black,  snout  paler, 
yellowish ;  middle  of  side  with  a  broad,  black,  zigzag  line  beginning 
often  as  a  black  spot  at  base  of  caudal  and  running  along  middle 
of  side  through  eye  and  around  snout ;  tip  of  lower  jaw  black ;  lower 
half  of  side  and  under  parts  silvery.  In  mature  examples  there  is 
a  steel-blue  wash  along  lateral  line,  and  the  whole  body  has  a  pale 
golden  tinge ;  a  small  dark  spot  on  back  at  origin  of  dorsal, 

24.     STRAW-COLORED  MINNOW 

NOTROPIS  BLENNIUS    (Giraid) 

(Plate  15) 

The  Straw-colored  Minnow  is  generally  abundant  in  small 
streams  from  Ohio  and  Michigan  to  Tennessee,  Dakota  and  Kansas, 
and  southward  to  Texas.  At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  very  abund- 
ant. During  the  seining  operations  of  1899-1900,  499  examples  or 
more  were  taken.  Throughout  the  summer  individuals  of  this 
species  seem  to  be  pretty  well  distributed  in  the  lake  from  the 
shore  to  some  distance  out;  with  the  coming  of  winter,  however, 
they  crowd  together  and  are  frequently  seen  in  immense  schools 
along  the  shore,  sometimes  alone,  and  sometimes  associated  with 
skipjacks  and  blunt-nosed  minnows.  A  sudden  cooling  of  the 
water  in  autumn  appears  to  benumb  them  and  other  small  fishes 
and  they  are  frequently  found  washed  upon  shore  where  they 
perish.  This  particularly  happens  if  there  is  a  storm  with  high 
waves  about  the  time  of  a  rapid  lowering  of  water  temperature. 
When  the  first  skirt  of  ice  is  formed  along  shore  they  are  some- 
times found  frozen  on  top  of  the  ice  as  if  they  had  jumped  up 
there  to  escape  some  larger  fish,  or  had  been  blown  there  in  the 
spray. 

The  Straw-colored  Minnow  is  a  rather  delicate  fish  and  cannot 

23—17618 


352         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

stand  severe  cold.  On  November  30,  1900,  a  number  of  these,  with 
graybacks  and  other  fishes,  were  found  in  a  pool  by  Farrar's  where 
they  had  washed  up  during  a  storm.  The  pool  was  frozen  almost 
solid.  The  graybacks  revived  after  being  thawed  out  but  the 
Straw-colored  Minnows  were  all  dead,  many  of  them  having 
actually  burst  asunder  in  the  process  of  freezing. 

Throughout  the  whole  winter  of  1900-1901  and  during  the  fall 
and  early  winter  of  1904,  these  minnows  were  seen  quite  fre- 
quently in  various  situations.  They  congregated  in  great  num- 
bers under  the  first  clear  ice,  appearing  to  crowd  up  as  close  to  the 
shore  as  possible,  and  they  seemed  to  be  enjoying  the  sunlight 
shining  through  the  ice.  Whenever  a  hole  was  cut  through  the 
ice  near  shore,  they  could  be  seen,  apparently  attracted  by  the  light 
and  air.  They  also  lurked  about  dark  sheltering  places  such  as 
piers,  and  congregated  in  great  schools  about  the  steamboats  dur- 
ing the  winter.  They  also  sometimes  crowded  about  the  Outlet  in 
company  with  skipjacks.  When  they  are  associated  with  skipjacks, 
the  latter  are  usually  nearer  the  surface  of  the  water,  while  the 
straw-colored  minnows  are  more  or  less  the  bottom  part  of  the 
school.  On  November  1,  1904,  a  good  many  of  these  were  noticed 
with  thousands  of  skipjacks  near  Long  Point.  When  disturbed,  if 
under  a  pier,  the  skipjacks  moved  out  into  deeper  water,  while 
the  straw-colored  minnows  moved  nearer  shore.  In  the  early 
winter  of  1904  they  were  seen  crowding  under  pieces  of  boards 
and  sticks  which  lay  on  the  bottom  near  shore.  Those  under 
boards  appeared  to  be  dazed  when  the  board  was  suddenly  removed, 
and  were  easily  caught.  When  out  in  open  schools,  however,  these 
fish  are  quite  alert,  and  rather  more  difficult  to  catch  with  the 
dipnet  than  the  skipjack. 

In  the  spring  of  1901  they  were  seen  quite  frequently,  and, 
though  not  in  dense  schools  as  in  the  autumn,  were  still  often 
abundant  along  shore  as  late  as  June  25. 

This  fish  appears  to  subsist  chiefly  on  animal  food,  and  occa- 
sionally on  algse.  An  example  1.19  inches  long  contained  a  good 
number  of  Bosmina,  one  Daphnia  and  remains  of  insect  larvae. 
Of  a  number  examined  October  7,  1904,  several  were  empty,  2  con- 
tained entomostraca  and  several  contained  Anahxna  flos-aqux. 
A  lot  were  caught  at  the  depot  pier  the  next  day;  most  of  these 
were  empty,  but  several  contained  Anabsena.  On  December  7, 
1904,  five  were  examined  of  which  2  were  empty  but  the  other 
three  contained  insect  larvse.  One  examined  May  22  contained  a 
few  mature  insects,  others  examined  June  15  contained  a  few  in- 
sect fragments,  but  little  else. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         353 

The  Straw-colored  Minnow  spawns  early  in  June ;  several  speci- 
mens examined  June  6  were  found  to  contain  ripe  eggs.  Another 
collected  May  22  contained  numerous  immature  eggs.  An  example 
2\  inches  long  caught  at  Long  Point  June  2,  was  examined.  The 
egg-mass  was  thick  club-shaped,  somewhat  sharper  behind,  ap- 
parently occupying  all  the  body  cavity  behind  the  liver  and  closely 
pressed  against  the  air-bladder,  almost  surrounding  it.  The  in- 
testine was  inconspicuous.  The  egg-mass  was  19  mm.  (nearly  an 
inch)  long  and  7  mm.  (a  third  of  an  inch)  in  diameter.  The  in- 
dividual eggs  were  small,  pale  in  color,  305  in  number  and  measur- 
ing 33  to  the  inch.  They  were  probably  nearly  mature.  Besides 
these  there  were  many  immature  eggs. 

This  little  minnow  is  used  for  bait  only  when  better  ones  are 
not  available.  It  is  too  small  and  tender  to  prove  entirely  satis- 
factory. Its  abundance,  however,  and  the  difficulty  which  anglers 
coming  to  Lake  Maxinkuckee  frequently  experience  in  obtaining 
larger  minnows,  result  in  the  use  of  a  good  many  of  this  species  for 
bait.  For  rock  bass,  crappie  and  yellow  perch  it  proves  pretty  at- 
tractive and  effective. 

It  is  also  doubtless  of  much  importance  as  food  for  other  fishes 
of  the  lake.  At  night,  when  the  bass,  rock  bass,  perch,  wallej^ed 
pike  and  other  species  come  in  near  shore  to  feed,  the  Straw-col- 
ored Minnow  is  one  of  the  species  preyed  upon  most  persistently. 
Many  doubtless  fall  a  prey  to  the  waterdogs  which  creep  up  among 
them  when  crowded  in  schools  near  shore  in  late  autumn. 

Head  4 ;  depth  5  ;  eye  large,  3  in  head.  Scales  5-36  (32  to  38) -4; 
teeth  4-4.  Body  moderately  stout,  little  compressed;  head  rather 
broad,  with  rounded  angles ;  mouth  small,  inferior,  horizontal ; 
snout  very  obtuse;  15  rows  of  scales  in  front  of  dorsal;  dorsal  low, 
its  longest  ray  ij  head. 

Back  greenish-olive,  scales  dusted,  darkest  on  edges,  resulting 
in  cross-hatching ;  a  dark  blotch  on  back  in  front  of  dorsal ;  median 
line  on  back  behind  dorsal  fin  black,  not  reaching  caudal  fin ;  top  of 
head  darkish ;  side  usually  pale,  silvery,  a  faint  line  of  dark 
specks  along  middle  of  side,  with  a  series  of  larger  black  specks 
along  lateral  line ;  under  parts  pale ;  an  indistinct  dark  spot  usually 
present  at  base  of  caudal  fin ;  fins  all  plain.  Length  2  to  3  inches. 
Of  161  examples  measured  the  longest  was  2.63,  the  shortest  1.25 
inches  and  the  average  1.7  inches  in  total  length. 


354         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

25.     SPOT-TAIL  MINNOW 

NOTROPIS  HUDSONIUS   (DeWitt  Clinton) 

The  Spot-tail  Minnow  is  a  species  of  wide  distribution.  It  is 
found  from  Vermont  westward  to  the  Dakotas  and  southward  to 
the  Carolinas.  It  is  abundant  throughout  the  Great  Lakes  region 
and  is  not  rare  in  certain  waters  east  of  the  Alleghenies.  In  Lake 
Ontario  it  is  particularly  abundant.  It  probably  occurs  in  all  the 
interior  lakes  of  New  York  draining  into  Lake  Ontario  and  is  very 
abundant  in  Lake  Chautauqua.  In  Bass  Lake  and  some  others  of 
the  small  northern  Indiana  lakes  it  is  quite  common.  At  Lake 
Maxinkuckee,  however,  it  appears  to  be  rare.  The  only  record  of 
its  occurrence  there  is  that  of  a  few  specimens  seined  September 
20,  1899. 


Spot-tailed  Minnow    (Notroiiis  hudsonius) 

Like  most  species  of  wide  distribution  this  minnow  has  many 
vernacular  names,  among  those  in  most  general  use  being  Shiner, 
Spot-tail  minnow,  Spawneater  and  Hudsonian  minnow.  In  Chau- 
tauqua Lake  it  is  called  Cisco.  How  this  name  of  a  species  of 
whitefish  ever  got  transferred  to  this  little  minnow  is  not  easy  to 
understand. 

The  Shiner  reaches  a  length  of  3  to  6  inches  and  is  an  attractive 
little  fish.  As  a  bait-minnow  it  is  highly  esteemed.  On  Lake  On- 
tario and  the  St.  Lawrence  River  it  is  regarded  as  the  best  live  bait 
for  bass.  At  Chautauqua  Lake  large  examples  are  popular  musk- 
allunge  bait.  In  northern  Indiana  it  is  a  good  general  purpose 
bait  minnow,  although  not  abundant  enough  in  many  places  to 
be  well  known.  The  smaller  ones  are  excellent  for  yellow  perch, 
those  of  medium  size  are  good  for  bass,  and  the  larger  ones  for 
walleyed  pike  and  pickerel.     Its  bright  silvery  color  makes  it  an 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Siirveij         355 

attractive  bait,  and  it  is  active  and  vigorous  on  the  hook,  swimming 
clear  of  vegetation  and  at  a  good  distance  above  the  bottom  if 
used  in  deep  water.  It  is  not  the  most  hardy  of  minnows;  its 
scales  rub  off  rather  easily,  thus  giving  a  chance  for  attacks  by 
the  fungus  Saprolegnia  in  the  live-box.  But  in  the  minnow  bucket 
or  on  the  hook  it  lives  fairly  well  and  is,  withal,  a  pretty  satis- 
factory bait  minnow. 

It  may  usually  be  readily  known  from  the  following  description, 
the  black  caudal  spot  being  the  most  distinctive  character  mark: 

Head  4.75  in  body ;  depth  4 ;  eye  3  in  head ;  D.  8 ;  A.  8 ;  scales 
5-39-4;  teeth,  1,  4-4,  0  or  1,  or  2.  Body  elongate,  considerably  com- 
pressed in  the  adult;  head  quite  short,  muzzle  blunt,  decurved, 
shorter  than  the  very  large  eye;  mouth  moderate,  nearly  horizontal, 
the  jaws  nearly  equal,  the  maxillary  reaching  nearly  to  the  eye; 
lateral  line  nearly  straight,  slightly  decurved  anteriorly;  18  scales 
before  dorsal ;  pectoral  not  reaching  ventrals,  the  latter  not  to 
vent.  Coloration  very  pale,  with  usually  a  dusky  or  black  spot  at 
base  of  caudal,  especially  in  the  young;  side  with  a  broad,  silvery 
band,  which  is  sometimes  dusky.     Length  4  to  6  inches. 

26.     SILVER-FIN 

NOTROPIS   WHIPPLII    (Girard) 

This  handsome  minnow  is  generally  common  in  clear  streams 
from  central  New  York  to  Minnesota,  northern  Alabama  and 
Arkansas,  and  is  very  abundant  in  the  Ohio  Valley.  It  is  a  stream 
fish  and  not  at  all  abundant  in  the  lake,  only  about  41  specimens 
having  been  secured.  These  were  obtained  along  the  east  side  of 
Long  Point  from  July  17  to  20,  and  on  August  23,  1899,  and  a  few 
more  were  seined  in  front  of  the  Fish  Commission  station  on  the 
evening  of  Sept.  20. 

It  is  preferably,  a  fish  of  the  larger,  clearer  creeks  and  rivers, 
delighting  in  the  rush  and  swirl  of  the  waters  on  the  riffles  where 
it  feeds  on  the  insect  larvse,  small  crustaceans  and  other  small  life 
among  the  stones  or  adhering  to  the  Potamogetons  and  other 
aquatic  plants  which  grow  in  such  places.  It  is  a  trim,  active 
minnow,  and  one  of  the  most  handsome  of  the  family.  Like  most 
other  minnows  used  as  bait  it  has  several  common  names;  shiner, 
blueback,  flat  minnow,  silver-fin,  and  hornyhead  being  among  those 
most  often  heard,  the  last  being  applied  to  breeding  males. 

This  species  evidently  spawns  in  the  lake  toward  the  end  of 
July ;  of  those  obtained  July  18,  many  were  full  of  spawn  and 
ripe;  of  2  females  examined,  one  contained  686  eggs,  .03  of  an 


356         Lake  Maxmkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Surveij 


inch  in  diameter,  and  another  contained  745  eggs  which  ran  30 
to  the  inch. 

As  a  bait  minnow  the  Silver-fin  is  not  without  vahie.  It  is 
very  active  when  on  the  hook ;  and  this,  with  its  bright  silvery  color- 
ation, should  make  it  attractive  to  black  bass.  It  is  hardy  and 
lives  well  in  the  live-box,  minnow  bucket,  and  on  the  hook.  The 
smaller  ones  are  good  bait  for  perch  and  rock  bass,  the  largest  ones 
for  walleyed  pike. 

Head  4^  in  body;  depth  4  in  adult  males;  females  and  young 
more  slender,  A^  to  5;  eye  small,  4i  to  4|  in  head;  snout  3  to  3^; 
maxillary  3|  to  3| ;  mandible  3^  to  4 ;  D.  8 ;  A.  8  or  9 ;  scales  5-38 
to  40-3 ;  teeth  1,  4-4,  1,  the  edges  more  or  less  distinctly  serrate. 
Body  moderately  elongate,  somewhat  compressed,  the  dorsal  and 
ventral  outlines  regularly  and  gently  arched;  head  rather  long, 


Silver-fin    (Notropis   lohipplii) 

triangular,  the  snout  pointed;  mouth  rather  small,  quite  oblique, 
the  lower  jaw  received  v/ithin  the  upper  when  the  mouth  is  closed; 
maxillary  not  reaching  orbit;  eye  small,  in  axis  of  body;  caudal 
peduncle  rather  long  and  compressed.  Fins  moderate,  origin  of 
dorsal  midway  between  tip  of  snout  and  base  of  caudal  and  over 
base  of  ventrals ;  origin  of  anal  posterior  to  base  of  last  dorsal  ray ; 
free  edge  of  dorsal  straight,  the  longest  rays  1.2  in  head ;  free  edge 
of  anal  somewhat  concave  in  the  depressed  fin,  more  nearly  straight 
when  the  fin  is  expanded,  the  longest  ray  1.25  in  head;  pectoral 
slender,  slightly  falcate,  1.3  in  head;  ventrals  short,  barely  reach- 
ing anal,  1.4  in  head ;  caudal  broadly  forked,  the  notch  rounded,  the 
lobes  equal,  1  in  head ;  scales  firm,  closely  imbricated,  much  deeper 
than  long,  not  crowded  anteriorly ;  top  of  head  of  male  in  breeding 
season  covered  with  prominent  tubercles. 

Color  of  male  leaden  silvery,  brightest  and  with  bluish  luster 
on  middle  of  side ;  back  darker,  inclining  to  olivaceous ;  underparts 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         357 

silvery ;  cheek  and  opercles  silvery,  with  faint  brownish  dustings ; 
caudal  peduncle  with  an  ill-defined  plumbeous  spot  posteriorly ; 
dorsal  fin  dusky  anteriorly,  the  rays  white ;  last  3  interradial  mem- 
branes satiny-black,  especially  that  between  last  2  rays  but  one ; 
caudal  pale,  dusky  on  edges ;  anal  and  ventrals  satiny-white ;  pec- 
toral pale,  with  faint  lemon  wash  in  richly  colored  males ;  female 
less  brilliant  than  the  male,  the  side  more  plumbeous.  Length  of 
specimens  described  3  to  4  inches. 

The  Silver- fin  can  be  readily  distinguished  from  any  other  min- 
now of  the  lake  by  the  elongate  dark  spot  on  the  posterior  part  of 
the  dorsal  fin. 

27.     SHINER 

NOTROPIS   CORNUTUS    (Mitchill) 

(Plate  16) 

The  Shiner  or  Red-fin  is  distributed  through  the  entire  region 
east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  excepting  the  South  Atlantic  States 
and  Texas,  and  is  almost  everywhere  the  most  abundant  fish  in 
small  streams. 

Although  usually  a  creek  fish  it  is  not  uncommon  in  Lake 
Maxinkuckee;  during  the  seining  operations,  688  specimens  were 
secured.  The  greatest  number  obtained  in  one  haul  was  208.  It 
was  frequently  seen  during  the  spring  of  1901,  usually  in  the  Out- 
let under  the  wagon  or  railroad  bridge  or  between  them.  On  April 
19,  1901,  a  fisherman,  fishing  from  the  pier  by  the  Ice-houses, 
caught  an  8-inch  example.  On  September  30,  1907,  on  a  trip  down 
the  Outlet,  good  schools  of  these  fish,  some  of  large  size,  were  seen. 

The  Shiner  is  one  of  the  handsomest  and  best  known  of  the 
minnows.  It  reaches  a  length  of  8  to  10  inches  and,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  species  of  Semotilus  and  Hybopsis,  is  one  of  the  larg- 
est species  in  the  Eastern  States.  While  it  prefers  the  smaller 
streams  it  may  also  be  found  in  lakes  and  rivers  as  well.  In  small 
brooks  and  in  quiet  places  in  creeks  and  rivers  the  young  may  be 
found  in  myriads.  The  adults  are  vigorous,  active  fish  frequenting 
the  rapids  and  swifter  parts  of  the  streams. 

This  fish  takes  the  worm-baited  hook  with  avidity  and  is 
the  minnow  most  frequently  seen  on  the  small  boy's  string.  The 
large  individuals  possess  considerable  game  qualities  often  agree- 
able to  boys  of  larger  growth.  Although  attaining  some  size  and 
sometimes  used  as  food,  it  is  not  of  much  value  for  that  purpose, 
as  the  flesh  is  soft  and  spoils  very  soon  after  death;  hence  the 
name  Rot-gut  or  Rot-gut  minnow  often  heard  applied  to  it  in 
southern  Ohio,  Indiana  and  southward. 


358         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

As  a  bait  minnow,  the  Shiner  is  one  of  the  best  and  most 
popular.  At  Maxinkuckee  it  is  one  of  the  species  most  often  used. 
Owing  to  its  general  distribution  and  abundance  in  northern  In- 
diana it  is  easy  to  obtain  examples  of  any  desired  size  up  to  6  or 
7  inches,  for  which  reason  this  species  is  used  for  all  sorts  of  bait 
fishing  at  the  lake.  Those  3  to  5  inches  long  are  regarded  as 
among  the  very  best  lures  for  large-mouth  black  bass,  and  those 
2  to  2^  inches  long  for  yellow  perch  and  crappie.  It  is  a  fine 
trolling  minnow  when  the  water  is  not  too  warm ;  when  the  water 
is  above  70°  they  are  apt  to  suffer  and  die  too  readily. 

Head  4]  in  body;  depth  3^,  varying  much  with  age;  eye  4  to  5 ; 
D.  8 ;  A.  9 ;  scales  6-41-3 ;  teeth  2,  4-4,  2,  with  rather  narrow  grind- 
ing surface.  Body  elongate  in  the  young,  in  the  adult  short,  com- 
pressed, with  the  anterior  dorsal  region  much  swollen  and  gibbous ; 
head  rather  heavy,  compressed,  rounded  between  the  eyes,  the 
snout  bluntish;  mouth  moderate,  nearly  horizontal,  the  jaws  nearly 
equal,  the  lower  somewhat  included ;  eye  moderate ;  maxillary 
scarcely  reaching  front  of  eye,  the  premaxillaries  below  the  level 
of  the  eye.  Scales  always  deeper  than  long  on  the  sides,  becoming 
extremely  deep  in  the  adult;  lateral  line  decurved.  Dorsal  moder- 
ate, inserted  directly  over  ventrals  in  young,  thrown  somewhat 
backward  in  adult  by  the  growth  of  the  nuchal  region ;  pectorals 
barely  or  not  reaching  ventrals,  the  latter  about  to  vent ;  region  in 
front  of  dorsal  typically  with  about  23  scales,  the  number  ranging 
from  15  to  40.  Coloration,  dark  steel  blue  above,  the  scales  with 
dusky  edges,  the  bases  also  dusky;  a  gilt  line  along  the  back  and 
one  along  each  side,  these  distinct  only  when  the  fish  is  in  the 
water;  belly  and  lower  part  of  the  sides  silvery,  bright  rosy  in 
spring  males ;  dorsal  fin  somewhat  dusky ;  other  fins  plain ;  the 
lower  fins  all  rosy  in  spring  males ;  head  dai-k  above ;  a  dark  shade 
behind  scapula ;  lower  jaw  and  region  in  front  of  dorsal  to  tip  of 
snout  covered  with  small  tubercles  in  spring  males;  female  and 
young  fishes  are  plain  olivaceous  above  and  silvery  below. 

28.     RED-NOSED  MINNOW 

NOTROPIS   RLBRIFRONS    (Cope) 

This  dainty  little  minnow  is  a  common  species  from  Vermont 
and  western  Pennsylvania  to  Michigan,  Kansas,  and  Kentucky.  It 
is  by  preference  an  inhabitant  of  the  larger,  clearer  streams, 
though  it  is  also  found  in  small  rivers  and  creeks.  It  delights  to 
dvv^ell  on  the  riffles  and  in  the  swifter  water.  Sometimes  it  is 
found  in  large  schools  swimming  near  the  surface  in  the  deeper, 


imm 


-# 


COMMON  SHINER,  Noiropis  coniutus  (Mitchili; 


BLACKFIN,  Notropis  umbratilis  atripes    (Jordan) 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         359 

quiet  pools  or  in  still  eddies  near  shore.     At  such  times  it  can  be 
caught  in  great  numbers  in  the  minnow  seine. 

At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  apparently  a  very  rare  species.  Our 
collections  contain  but  a  single  specimen ;  this  is  a  good  typical 
example  2f  inches  long,  obtained  in  Aubeenaubee  Creek,  near  its 
mouth,  April  27,  1901.  The  fact  that  only  this  one  specimen  was 
obtained  suggests  that  the  species  is  not  really  native  to  the  lake 
and  that  the  example  caught  was  a  bait  minnow  escaped  from  some 
live-bait  bucket. 

The  Red-nosed  Minnow  attains  a  length  of  2  to  2.5  inches, 
scarcely  large  enough  to  be  used  much  as  a  bait  minnow,  although 
it  is  not  infrequently  seen  in  the  angler's  minnow  pail.  Its  bright 
silvery  color  and  its  activity  make  up  in  a  measure  for  what  it 
lacks  in  size.  For  yellow  perch  and  the  smaller  bass  it  is  a  very 
satisfactory  live  bait,  and  several  on  one  hook  have  proved  attract- 
ive to  the  walleyed  pike. 

Head  4  in  length;  depth  6;  eye  4.7  in  head;  snout  3.1;  dorsal 
9;  anal  10;  scales  7-47-4,  teeth  2,  4-4,  2.  Body  long  and  slender, 
considerably  compressed;  dorsal  and  ventral  outlines  but  slightly 
arched;  head  rather  long,  snout  pointed;  mouth  moderate,  some- 
what oblique,  the  maxillary  reaching  vertical  at  front  of  orbit,  the 
lower  jaw  projecting;  scales  firm;  lateral  line  complete,  somewhat 
decurved. 

Color,  pale  lemon  above,  the  edges  of  the  scales  with  fine  dark 
punctulations ;  side  bright  silvery,  somewhat  metallic  blue  above; 
sides  of  head  silvery,  more  red  in  breeding  season;  under  parts 
straw-yellow. 

29.     EED-FIN 

NOTROPIS    UMBRATILIS    (Girard) 

(Plate  16) 

This  is  an  exceedingly  variable  minnow,  widespread  in  distribu- 
tion, its  range  extending  from  Minnesota  to  western  New  York, 
North  Carolina,  Alabama  and  Texas.  It  is  represented  in  differ- 
ent regions  by  well  marked  subspecies  and  is  usually'  abundant  in 
small  clear  streams.  It  is  not  common  in  the  lake,  only  22  speci- 
mens having  been  secured,  12  in  Aubeenaubee  Bay  and  10  just 
east  of  the  Culver  Military  Academy  pier  on  July  21,  1899. 

Head  4|  in  body ;  depth  4  to  4^ ;  eye  3  to  4  in  head ;  D.  7 ;  A.  11 ; 
scales  9-40  to  52-3 ;  teeth  2,  4-4,  2.  Body  compressed ;  the  caudal 
peduncle  long;  head  long,  conic,  rather  pointed;  mouth  large,  mod- 
erately oblique,  the  premaxillary  on  level  of  pupil,  the  maxillary 
extending  to  opposite  eye;  lower  jaw  somewhat  projecting;  eye 


360         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

moderate,  about  equal  to  muzzle ;  scales  closely  imbricated,  crowded 
anteriorly,  about  30  before  dorsal.  Dorsal  fin  high,  inserted  about 
midway  between  ventrals  and  anal ;  pectorals  not  reaching  ventrals, 
the  latter  to  vent;  caudal  fin  long.  Coloration,  dark  steel  blue 
above,  pale  or  silvery  below ;  a  more  or  less  evident  black  spot  at 
base  of  dorsal  in  front ;  the  fins  otherwise  all  plain ;  males  with  the 
anterior  dorsal  region  and  the  head  profusely  covered  with  small 
whitish  tubercles,  the  belly  and  lower  fins  being  of  a  bright  brick 
red  in  the  spring;  females  very  pale  olive,  sometimes  almost  color- 
less.    Length  3^  inches. 

The  subspecies  represented  in  the  lake  is  lyfhrurus,  which  has 
the  body  moderately  elongate,  the  depth  4^  in  length,  the  females 
nearly  5 ;  eye  large,  about  3^  in  head ;  scales  9-47-3 ;  dorsal  with  a 
conspicuous  black  spot  in  front,  rest  of  the  fin  mostly  pale;  no 
anal  spot. 


Cavern-jawed   Minnow    (Ericymha   buccata) 

80.     CAVERN-JAWED  MINNOW 

ERICYMBA   BUCCATA   Cope 

This  interesting  little  minnow,  which  appears  never  to  have  re- 
ceived any  distinctive  vernacular  name,  is  found  from  Pennsyl- 
vania westward  to  Michigan  and  Kansas  and  south  to  Florida.  In 
some  streams,  notably  in  central  Indiana,  it  is  abundant.  It  is  a 
stream  fish,  rarely,  if  ever,  occurring  in  lakes.  We  have  not  found 
it  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  proper,  but  we  have  one  specimen  taken  by 
us  September  11,  1906,  in  the  outlet  below  Lost  Lake  near  the  site 
of  the  old  mill.  It  is  known  to  occur  in  the  Tippecanoe  River  at 
Belong.  We  have  also  found  it  in  the  minnow  buckets  of  anglers 
at  the  lake. 

It  may  be  readily  known  from  any  other  niinnow  of  the  United 
States  by  the  cavernous  structure  of  the  head  which  shows  par- 
ticularly in  the  lower  jaw  which  appears  to  be  made  up  of  a  series 
of  rectangular  cavities  or  compartments. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Siirvey         361 

Head  4;  depth  5;  eye  large,  4  in  head;  dorsal  8;  anal  8;  scales 
5-33-3 ;  teeth  1,  4-4,  0.  Body  fusiform,  rather  elongate,  little  com- 
pressed, the  back  not  elevated;  head  rather  long,  somewhat  de- 
pressed above,  with  broad  and  prominent  muzzle;  mouth  rather 
small,  horizontal,  subinferior,  the  lower  jaw  considerably  shorter 
than  upper;  upper  lip  below  level  of  pupil;  maxillary  not  reaching 
to  eye;  dentary  bones  dilated,  the  mucous  channels  conspicuous; 
suborbital  very  broad,  silvery,  with  an  elevated  longitudinal  ridge 
and  conspicuous  cross  lines ;  opercle  small ;  fins  small,  dorsal  over 
ventrals;  scales  moderate;  lateral  line  nearly  straight;  breast  scale- 
less;  15  large  scales  before  dorsal.  Color  olivaceous,  rather  pale; 
sides  bright  silvery  with  bluish  reflections ;  a  dark  dorsal  streak, 
conspicuous  posteriorly ;  fins  plain ;  males  without  tubercles  or 
bright  colors.     Length  3  to  5  inches. 


^ 


Black-nosed   Dace    (Rhinichthys   atronasus) 


31.     BLACK-NOSED  DACE 

RHINICHTHYS  ATRONASUS   (Mitchill) 

The  Black-nosed  Dace  is  a  very  abundant  fish  in  clear  brooks 
and  mountain  streams  from  New  England  to  Minnesota,  northern 
Alabama  and  Virginia.  It  is  extremely  variable  in  different  parts 
of  its  range. 

It  is  not  common  about  Lake  Maxinkuckee ;  no  specimens  were 
taken  in  the  lake  itself,  and  only  19  in  all  were  taken  in  the  region. 
Of  these,  one  was  taken  in  Aubeenaubee  Creek  and  the  remaining 
18  in  Culver  Inlet. 

As  a  bait  minnow  this  species  possesses  some  value,  particularly 
for  bass  and  walleyed  pike.  It  is  unusually  hardy  and  lives  well 
on  the  hook  as  well  as  in  the  minnow  bucket  and  live-box.  It  is 
also  extremely  vigorous  and  active.  Its  dull  colors,  however,  ren- 
der it  less  attractive  than  it  otherwise  would  be. 


362         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Head  4  in  body ;  depth  4^ ;  eye  1^  in  snout,  4i  in  head.  D.  7 ; 
A.  7 ;  lateral  line  64 ;  teeth  2,  4-4,  2.  Body  moderately  elongate, 
little  compressed ;  head  moderate,  rather  broad  and  flattish  above ; 
snout  moderate ;  mouth  small,  horizontal,  sub-terminal,  the  lower 
jaw  included;  barbel  minute  but  probably  always  present;  upper 
lip  on  level  of  lower  part  of  pupil,  maxillary  not  reaching  nearly 
to  eye,  eye  small,  nearly  median;  fins  rather  small;  dorsal  fin  well 
back,  its  insertion  about  midway  between  nostril  and  base  of 
caudal ;  scales  quite  small,  somewhat  embedded.  Color,  blackish 
above,  some  of  the  scales  irregularly  darker;  a  black  band 
passing  from  snout  through  eye  and  along  side  of  body;  a  paler 
streak  below  this;  belly  silvery;  males  in  spring  with  the  lateral 
band  and  the  lower  fins  and  sometimes  the  whole  body,  bright 
crimson ;  males  in  late  summer  with  the  lateral  band  scarlet  or 
orange,  the  red  color  growing  faint  later  in  the  season.  Length 
3  inches. 

The  specimens  obtained  varied  in  length  from  1.06  to  2,55 
inches.  They  differ  in  several  respects  both  from  the  description 
of  the  typical  species  and  from  the  subspecies  lunatns,  in  the  range 
of  which  the  Lake  Maxinkuckee  region  is  included.  The  head 
varies  from  o%  to  4,  the  depth  from  4^  to  5,  eye  from  3i  to  4, 
usually  4,  snout  from  3  to  3|,  usually  3,  scales  10  or  11  above  lateral 
line,  from  60  to  67,  usually  60,  in  lateral  line,  usually  7  below. 
One  example  had  scales  over  only  i  of  the  body.  In  all  examples 
except  one,  the  doi'sal  had  8  rays  instead  of  7, 

32,     RIVER  CHUB 

HYBOPSIS  KENTUCKIENSIS    (Rafinesque) 

The  River  Chub  is  a  species  of  wide  distribution ;  from  New 
England  and  Pennsylvania  its  range  extends  westward  to  Wyoming 
and  southward  on  both  sides  of  the  Alleghenies  to  Alabama.  It 
is  nearly  everywhere  abundant  in  the  larger  streams,  but  it  does 
not  by  preference  so  often  frequent  smaller  streams  or  lakes.  Like 
all  other  familiar  species  of  wide  distribution  it  is  favored  with 
many  common  names,  among  which  may  be  mentioned  hornyhead, 
jei'ker,  river  chub,  common  chub,  horned  chub,  Indian  chub,  and 
red-tail  chub. 

At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  where  the  streams  are  all  small,  the  river 
chub  is  not  common.  The  only  specimens  (3  in  number)  obtained 
by  us  were  seined  in  Aubeenaubee  Creek,  They  range  in  length 
from  3.25  to  6  inches. 

Like  all  other  members  of  the  family  the  Hornyhead  spawns  in 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         363 

the  spring, — in  northern  Indiana  in  May  and  June.  It  builds  a 
considerable  nest  of  relatively  fine  gravel,  usually  on  a  gravel  bar 
where  the  water  is  comparatively  swift. 

The  food  of  the  River  Chub  consists  chiefly  of  worms,  insect 
larvae,  small  crustaceans,  and  small  fishes.  As  a  game  fish  it  is  of 
some  importance,  especially  to  the  small  boy  with  whom  all  is  fish 
that  comes  to  his  net.  It  attains  a  length  of  9  or  10  inches,  a  size 
which  appeals  to  the  young  angler  who,  with  worm-baited  hook,  is 
usually  quite  sure  to  meet  with  gratifying  success  with  this  fish. 
It  takes  the  hook  greedily  and  fights  vigorously  and  with  the  proper 
spirit.  It  is  never  known  to  give  up  and  sulk  as  some  fishes  do  but 
always  continues  the  fight  to  the  last. 


River  Chub    {Hybopsis  kentuckiensis) 


As  a  bait  minnow,  the  River  Chub  is  one  of  the  best  known  and 
most  highly  esteemed.  It  is  par  excellence  the  bait  minnow  for 
all  kinds  of  American  freshwater  game  fishes.  Horny  heads  of 
small  size,  say  2  to  3  inches  in  length,  can  not  be  excelled  for 
crappie,  calico  bass,  rock  bass  and  medium-sized  large-mouth  and 
small-mouth  bass.  Those  of  somewhat  larger  size  can  not  be  sur- 
passed for  the  larger  bass  and  wall-eyed  pike;  while  for  him  who 
desires  to  capture  large  pickerel,  great  northern  pike,  or  the  wily 
muskallunge,  an  8  or  10  inch  River  Chub  is  just  the  lure  to  use. 

The  Hornyhead  is  unusually  tenacious  of  life,  and  when  on  the 
hook  is  exceedingly  active,  fighting  with  a  vigor,  viciousness  and 
persistency  which  justly  entitle  it  to  rank  with  the  game  fishes. 

An  expert  angler,  speaking  of  this  minnow,  says  it  is  especially 
fine  for  trolling.  The  best  sizes  for  Maxinkuckee  are  those  from 
2  to  4  inches  long.  It  is  tough  and  wily  and  will  endure  much  pun- 
ishment in  the  water.  Its  good  qualities  are  its  toughness  and  ac- 
tivity on  the  hook.  It  is  a  fine  bait  for  wall-eyed  pike  and  both 
species  of  black  bass.  A  dozen  river  chubs  of  assorted  sizes  are 
worth  double  that  number  of  any  other  species. 


364         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Another  feature  which  partic-ularly  commends  this  minnow  in 
the  upper  Mississippi  Valley  is  the  ease  with  which  a  supply  can 
be  captured.  Not  only  can  they  be  secured  in  the  usual  way  with 
the  minnow  seine,  but  they  also  readily  enter  the  minnow  trap,  and 
in  the  absence  of  other  means,  a  sufficient  supply  can  often  be  taken 
by  means  of  a  small  hook  baited  with  grub  or  angleworm. 

Head  4  in  length;  depth  4^;  D.  8;  A.  7;  scales  6-41-4;  teeth 
1,  4-4,  1,  or  1,  4-4,  0,  sometimes  4-4.  Body  rather  robust,  little 
elevated,  not  much  compressed ;  head  large,  rather  broadly  rounded 
above;  the  snout  conical,  bluntish;  mouth  rather  large,  subtermi- 
nal,  little  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  somewhat  the  shorter;  upper  lip 
rather  below  level  of  eye;  maxillary  not  reaching  to  front  of  eye^ 
eye  small,  median,  high  up ;  barbel  well  developed ;  suborbitals  very 
narrow ;  preorbital  large ;  fins  moderate ;  the  dorsal  rather  pos- 
terior, slightly  behind  insertion  of  ventrals ;  caudal  broad,  little 
forked.  Scales  large,  not  crowded  anteriorly,  18  rows  in  front 
of  dorsal.  Lateral  line  somewhat  decurved.  Color,  bluish-olive; 
sides  with  bright  green  and  coppery  reflections;  a  curved  dusky 
bar  behind  opercle ;  scales  above  with  dark  borders ;  belly  pale,  but 
not  silvery,  rosy  in  spi'ing  males ;  fins  all  pale  orange,  without 
black  spot;  males  in  sp}"ing  with  a  crimson  spot  on  each  side  of 
head;  adults  with  the  top  of  the  head  swollen,  forming  a  sort  of 
crest,  which  is  sometimes  a  third  of  an  inch  higher  than  level  of  the 
neck  and  is  covered  with  large  tubercles ;  young  with  a  dark  caudal 
spot.     Length  6  to  9  inches. 

33.     COMMON  EEL 

ANGUILLA  ROSTRATA   Le   Sueur 

The  Common  Eel  is  an  abundant  and  well-known  fish  all  along 
our  Atlantic  coast  from  Maine  to  Mexico.  From  the  ocean  it  as- 
cends all  rivers  south  of  Canada  and  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
and  is  resident  throughout  the  Mississippi  Valley.  It  does  not  ap- 
pear to  be  common  in  Indiana  and  is  not  well  known  t;o  Indiana 
anglers  generally.  At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  seems  to  be  rather 
uncommon,  although  it  is  occasionally  caught  on  set-lines  at  night, 
especially  during  the  spring.  Only  a  few  examples  were  actually 
seen.  On  August  19,  1899,  Mr.  Thomas  Large  found  floating  far 
out  in  the  lake  an  Eel  43  inches  long  and  weighing  6^  pounds.  On 
May  15,  1901,  one  22  inches  long  was  caught  on  a  set-line  in  Out- 
let Bay,  during  the  night.  Besides  these,  reports  were  heard  of 
several  having  been  caught  about  the  same  time.  About  the  last 
of  June,  1907,  Mr.  S.  S.  Chadwick  got  a  very  large  Eel  at  his  pier. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         365 

He  saw  it  under  his  pier  2  or  3  different  mornings,  then  shot  it.  It 
had  been  crippled  some  way  and  had  a  wound  on  the  belly  3  or  4 
inches  long.  The  fish  was  at  least  40  inches  in  length.  There 
seemed  to  be  a  general  impression  about  the  lake  that  they  were 
rather  common  and  could  be  obtained  in  numbers  by  any  one  who 
took  trouble  to  fish  for  them,  but  the  logic  by  which  this  conclu- 
sion was  reached  ("there  must  be  a  good  many  eels  in  the  lake,  be- 
cause nobody  has  ever  taken  many  out")  is  not  particularly  con- 
vincing. No  eels  were  ever  seen  in  the  Outlet,  although  it  was 
watched  pretty  closely  for  migratory  fishes.  Lampreys  were  oc- 
casionally taken  in  the  Outlet  by  fishers  with  minnow  seines  and 
were  usually  thought  to  be  young  eels.  The  eelskin  is  in  good  local 
repute  as  a  remedy  for  rheumatism  and  sprains,  the  dried  skin 
being  placed  over  the  afiPected  parts  as  a  bandage. 


^/-5«^^.^i^;^?^ 


^f»~^  ?s^?5?pf^gs^5r^'^'^^ 


Common   Eel    (Anffuilla  rostrata  \ 


Nothing  was  observed  at  the  lake  concerning  the  habits  of  the 
Eel.  They  are  said  to  be  carnivorous  and  voracious  and  very  fond 
of  crawfishes.  Specimens  kept  in  the  aquariums  at  the  Bureau 
of  Fisheries  are  affected  by  fish  lice  more  than  any  other  fishes 
except  the  toad  fishes. 

The  Eel  can  be  distinguished  at  once  from  the  lamprey  by  the 
presence  of  jaws  and  fins,  the  single  gill-opening  and  embedded 
scales.  It  could  not  be  confounded  with  any  other  species  of  fish 
in  the  lake. 

Body  elongate,  compressed  behind,  covered  with  embedded 
scales  which  are  linear  in  form  and  placed  obliquely,  some  at  right 
angles  to  others ;  lateral  line  well  developed ;  head  long,  conical, 
moderately  pointed ;  the  rather  small  eye  well  forward  and  over 
the  angle  of  the  mouth;  teeth  small,  subequal,  in  bands  on  each  jaw 
and  a  long  patch  on  the  vomer;  tongue  free  at  tip;  lips  rather  full, 
with  a  free  margin  behind,  attached  by  a  frenum  in  front ;  lower 
jaw  projecting;  gill-openings  rather  small,  slit-like,  about  as  wide 


366         Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

as  base  of  pectoral  and  partly  below  them ;  nostrils  superior,  well 
separated,  the  anterior  with  a  slight  tube ;  vent  close  in  front  of 
anal ;  dorsal  inserted  at  some  distance  from  the  head,  confluent 
with  the  anal  around  the  tail ;  pectoral  well  developed ;  distance 
from  front  of  dorsal  to  vent  1.16  to  2  in  head;  pectoral  2.83  to 
3.4  in  head ;  head  2  to  2.5  in  trunk.  Form  rather  robust.  Brown, 
nearly  plain,  often  tinged  with  yellowish;  paler  below,  the  color 
extremely  variable.     Length  4  or  5  feet. 

34.     MUD  MINNOW 

UMBRA    LIMI    <Kirt!and) 

(Plate  17) 

The  Mud  Minnow  is  a  common  fish  from  Quebec  to  Minnesota 
and  southward  to  the  Ohio  valley ;  it  is  especially  abundant  north- 
ward throughout  the  Great  Lakes  region  in  weedy  streams  and 
ditches  and  in  the  smaller  muddy  lakes.  At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it 
is  fairly  abundant  in  Norris  Inlet,  Aubeenaubee  Creek,  Culver 
Inlet,  in  the  Outlet  above  Lost  Lake,  and  in  the  small  ponds  in 
Green's  marsh.  Specimens  were  also  secured  in  Lost  Lake  and  its 
outlet.  It  delights  to  dwell  in  small  creeks,  ditches  or  ponds  where 
the  water  is  cool,  the  bottom  muddy  and  aquatic  vegetation  abund- 
ant. There  were  a  good  many  in  a  ditch  two  miles  or  so  west  of  the 
lake.  Mud  minnows  were  frequently  seen  under  the  clear  ice  in  the 
Inlet  and  in  the  ponds  in  Green's  marsh,  and  they  were  quite  active 
during  the  winter. 

Professor  Baird  says  of  this  species  that  "A  locality  which, 
with  the  water  perfectly  clear  will  appear  destitute  of  fish,  will 
perhaps  yield  a  number  of  mudfish  on  stirring  up  the  mud  at  the 
bottom  and  drawing  a  seine  through  it.  Ditches  in  the  prairies 
of  Wisconsin  or  mere  bog-holes,  apparently  affording  lodgment  to 
nothing  beyond  tadpoles  may  thus  be  found  filled  with  Umbras." 
The  same  remarks  apply  equally  well  to  such  places  in  northern 
Indiana.  The  little  streams,  ponds  and  ditches  everywhere  are 
apt  to  have  the  Mud  Minnow  as  one  of  their  inhabitants.  The 
abandoned  Wabash  and  Erie  Canal  is  a  favorite  place  for  this  fish, 
and  old  mill-races  that  have  grown  full  of  Myriophyllum,  Cera- 
tophyllum  and  other  aquatic  plants  are  sure  to  be  the  home  of  this 
species. 

One  of  the  writers  recalls  many  visits  to  the  old  Dillen  mill- 
race  and  the  cold,  boggy  Armstrong  pond  near  Camden,  Indiana, 
many  years  ago,  when  he  had  his  first  experiences  with  this  curi- 
ous fish.     The  race  was  literally  filled  with  ditch  moss   (Philotria 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         367 

canadensis)  and  any  mass  of  this  vegetation  that  might  be  raked 
out  was  sure  to  contain  one  or  more  mud  minnows.  They  were 
also  common  in  and  about  the  Armstrong  pond;  they  sometimes 
would  be  found  in  the  mud  at  the  bottom  of  cow  tracks  some  dis- 
tance from  water. 

These  are  oviparous  fishes,  the  sexes  similar,  small  in  size, 
carnivorous  in  their  habits,  feeding  upon  small  crustaceans,  insect 
larvae  and  the  like.  One  specimen  examined  contained  an  Asellus, 
and  they  are  also  said  to  feed  to  a  large  extent  on  the  minute 
duckweed,  Wolffia.  They  are  extremely  tenacious  of  life  and  will 
live  a  long  time  in  the  mud  in  the  bottom  of  a  pool  which  has  en- 
tirely dried  up.  When  dug  out  of  the  mud  and  placed  in  water 
they  usually  seem  normally  vigorous  and  active.  They  can  be  kept 
indefinitely  in  minnow  buckets  or  old  rain  barrels  without  change 
of  water. 

They  are  frequently  used  by  anglers  as  bait  for  pickerel  and 
wall-eyed  pike,  but  they  are  chiefly  valuable  on  account  of  their 
great  tenacity  of  life.  Anglers  who  have  tried  this  bait  at  Lake 
Maxinkuckee,  however,  have  not  found  them  a  very  killing  lure. 

The  Mud  Minnow  is  familiar  to  almost  everj^one  who  ever  goes 
seining  for  minnows ;  but,  as  it  bears  a  superficial  resemblance  to  the 
dogfish,  Amia  calva,  the  young  of  which  are  rarely  seen,  they  are 
usually  supposed  to  be  young  dogfish.  The  interesting  remarks 
by  Charles  Halleck  regarding  the  young  of  the  dogfish  as  bait 
doubtless  refer  to  the  Mud  Minnow. 

Various  anglers  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  to  whom  specimens  of 
the  Mud  Minnow  were  shown  pronounced  them  young  dogfish. 
The  two  species  are  not  at  all  related,  however,  and  may  be  easily 
distinguished  by  the  much  larger  dorsal  fin  of  the  dog-fish,  in  which 
there  are  about  48  rays  while  in  the  Mud  Minnow  there  are  but  15 
dorsal  rays. 

Specimens  of  Mud  Minnow  examined  on  April  9,  appeared  to  be 
nearly  ripe,  and  they  probably  spawn  about  the  middle  of  April. 
The  eggs  are  1/20  of  an  inch  in  diameter  and  varied  from  about 
425  to  450  per  individual. 

Head  3.5  to  3.75  in  length;  depth  4.5  to  4.75;  eye  5.5  to  6  in 
head;  snout  4.5  to  5;  dorsal  15;  anal  10;  pectoral  14;  ventral  6; 
scales  about  37,-13 ;  branchiostegals  6.  Body  oblong,  somewhat 
compressed,  covered  with  rather  large,  cycloid  scales;  head  rather 
short,  bluntly  conic,  little  depressed;  caudal  peduncle  deep,  com- 
pressed; eye  moderate,  high  up;  mouth  rather  large,  slightly  ob- 
lique, lower  jaw  projecting,  maxillary  reaching  vertical  of  an- 
terior part  of  pupil ;  cheeks,  opercles  and  top  of  head  scaled ;  dor- 

24—17618 


368         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

sal  fin  posterior  in  position ;  caudal  rounded.  Color,  dark  olive- 
green,  mottled  with  darker  and  coppery  or  brassy  blotches,  and 
with  about  12  irregular  dark  crossbars ;  a  dark  postocular  spot 
and  a  large  dark  blotch  on  opercle;  a  broad  dark  band  in  front  of 
eye;  a  broad  black  vertical  bar  on  caudal  peduncle  at  base  of  tail, 
and  a  narrow  dark  band  on  base  of  caudal  rays ;  caudal  beautifully 
marked  with  fine  crossbars ;  under  parts  paler,  sometimes  rosy 
coppery.     Length  3  to  5  inches. 

Almost  all  of  the  specimens  obtained  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee 
were  considerably  undersized,  ranging  in  length  from  1^  to  3.55 
inches,  only  12  in  the  84  individuals  examined  being  3  inches  or 
over  in  length.  The  numbers  representing  the  proportions  are 
smaller  throughout,  the  head  being  usually  3^  in  length ;  depth 
ranging  from  4^  to  5,  usually  about  A^i,;  eye  3f  to  5^,  frequently 
4;  snout  3;'{  to  5,  usually  a  little  over  4;  it  will  thus  be  observed  that 
the  Maxinkuckee  specimens  have  a  somewhat  larger  head,  greater 
depth,  larger  eye  and  longer  snout  than  is  given  in  current  de- 
scriptions. 

35.     GRASS  PIKE 

ESOX  VERMICULATUS   Le   Sueur 

(Plate  5) 

The  Grass  Pike  occurs  abundantly  throughout  the  middle  and 
upper  Mississippi  Valley  and  in  streams  tributary  to  Lakes  Erie 
and  Michigan.  It  is  not  known  from  east  of  the  Alleghenies  nor 
from  Texas.  Throughout  most  of  its  range  it  is  generally  com- 
mon in  all  ponds,  bayous  and  small  sluggish  streams  in  which  there 
is  much  aquatic  vegetation. 

At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  only  86  specimens  were  secured  during 
the  seining  operations,  and  the  greatest  number  taken  in  one  haul 
was  17.  It  is,  however,  quite  a  common  fish,  and  it  is  probable 
that  the  alacrity  with  which  this  fish  gets  out  of  the  way  at  the 
first  sign  of  danger  accounts  for  the  small  number  taken.  It  is 
frequently  found  basking  near  shore  in  shallow  weedy  places.  In 
late  autumn  they  bask  in  considerable  numbers  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  Outlet.  During  the  latter  part  of  October  and  the 
first  part  of  November,  1904,  considerable  numbers  of  these  fishes 
were  seen  close  to  the  Outlet.  On  October  28,  about  10  were  seen, 
and  two  days  after  about  40  or  50  were  seen  at  the  same  place  at 
noon.  They  were  also  seen  in  late  autumn  on  various  occasions 
basking  in  the  region  of  the  Inlet  and  along  the  bayous  of  the  Out- 
let. When  basking  they  usually  lie  perfectly  still,  and  look  so 
much  like  a  stick  that  they  are  not  seen  until  an  arrowy  streak 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         369 

in  the  water  marks  where  they  have  dashed  from  shore.  They 
were  occasionally  seen  under  the  clear  ice.  In  December,  1904, 
they  were  observed  hiding  under  the  ice-fringes  along  the  edge  of 
the  Outlet.  A  good  many  of  them  about  the  same  time  went  into 
the  lagoons  in  Green's  marsh  and  some  froze  there.  On  one  oc- 
casion about  a  dozen  dead  ones  were  seen  at  that  place.  As  soon 
as  the  ice  melts  in  spring  and  the  melting  snows  and  early  rains 
raise  the  waters  over  the  flats  and  fill  the  little  rills,  the  grass  pikes 
may  be  seen  pushing  their  way  out  into  even  the  shallowest  places. 
The  tiniest  rill  that  runs  into  the  lake  is  ascended  to  its  very  source, 
and  it  is  surprising  how  far  they  will  manage  to  wiggle  up  some 
tiny  thread  of  a  brook.  They  scatter  out  over  the  flats  and 
bayous,  and  are  common  in  the  ditches.  In  1901  the  spring  run 
began  about  April  1,  and  they  were  frequently  seen  in  shallow 
lagoons  and  ponds  in  Gi'een's  marsh  until  April  30.  Even  earlier 
in  the  spring  before  the  ice  has  gone  off,  they  may  be  seen  through 
the  ice  in  the  shallow  water  of  the  bayous  and  along  the  lake 
shore.  And  a  little  later,  when  open  places  in  the  ice  begin  to  ap- 
pear. Grass  Pike  may  often  be  seen  in  such  places  and  in  open 
places  in  the  ditches.  One  may  sometimes  kill  them  in  such  situa- 
tions by  striking  them  with  a  stick. 

Ordinarily  the  Grass  Pike  is  not  sought  by  anglers;  its  small 
size  and  disinclination  to  take  the  baited  hook  preclude  its  becom- 
ing a  game-fish  of  any  importance.  It  will,  however,  take  the  hook 
and  is  sometimes  seen  on  the  small  boy's  string.  The  flesh  is 
white,  firm,  flaky,  and  of  delicious  flavor. 

Like  other  species  of  the  genus,  the  Grass  Pike  is  a  voracious 
fish  which  preys  largely  on  other  fishes.  An  example  six  inches  long 
contained  a  small  straw  bass. 

Distomid  parasites  are  often  found  in  its  stomach. 

The  spring  invasion  of  the  shallow,  reed-covered  places  is  for 
breeding  purposes.  A  few  fish  were  examined  about  April  4,  and 
the  eggs  appeared  to  be  nearly  mature,  about  15  to  the  inch,  and 
one  example  caught  contained  about  1,896  eggs. 

Head  3j;  depth  5  to  6;  eye  large,  2-i-  in  snout,  about  6  in  head. 
Branchiostegals  11  to  13;  D.  11  or  12;  A.  11  or  12;  scales  105. 
Body  moderately  stout,  somewhat  compressed ;  head  rather  short, 
the  eye  being  exactly  in  the  middle  of  the  head ;  middle  of  eye 
nearer  tip  of  chin  than  to  gill-opening ;  snout  2.J  in  head ;  caudal  well 
forked. 

The  following  are  life  colors  of  a  female  example  10.5  inches 
long  captured  at  Green's  marsh,  April  4,  1901 :  Back  olivaceous, 
lighter  along  median  line,  bounded  on  each  side  by  a  series  of  ir- 


370         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

regular  darker  spots ;  side  olive  green,  mottled  and  blotched  with 
darker,  and  with  more  or  less  brassy  in  thin  close  lines ;  opercle  and 
cheek  greenish,  blotched  with  dark;  a  broad  dark  line  downward 
from  eye;  upper  part  of  head  dark  olivaceous,  a  narrow  paler 
median  stripe;  under  jaw  pale,  darker  at  tip;  lower  fins  pale  red- 
dish ;  dorsal  and  caudal  light  olivaceous,  tip  of  dorsal  blackish,  belly 
white. 

36.     COMMON  PIKE 

ESOX   LUCIUS   Linnaeus 

The  Common  Pike  has  a  remarkably  wide  distribution.  It  is 
the  only  member  of  the  family  found  outside  of  America,  and  is 
found  in  the  fresh  waters  of  the  northern  parts  of  Europe,  Asia 
and  North  America  north  to  Alaska  and  Siberia ;  in  the  eastern 
United  States  south  to  New  York  and  the  Ohio  River;  and  in 
Europe   south   to   Italy   and   Greece,   and   is   generally   abundant 


1^^^S??^|B^«|pj^^^^fS 


Common  Pike   (Esox  lucius) 


throughout  its  range.  It  is  not  at  all  common  in  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee. One  was  obtained  some  years  ago  3  feet  long  and  weigh- 
ing lOi  pounds,  and  another  was  caught  on  July  20,  1900,  which 
weighed  Sf  pounds.  It  appears  to  be  rather  common  in  waters 
not  far  distant  from  the  lake.  The  largest  of  which  we  have  any 
record  vra,s  seen  at  Round  Lake,  4  miles  west  of  Bass  Lake.  It 
weighed  32  pounds  and  had  died  trying  to  swallow  a  large  bass. 
One  of  the  best  streams  of  which  we  know  for  pike  fishing  is  the 
Kankakee.  In  November,  1892,  a  fisherman  caught  one  there 
weighing  26^  lbs.  On  August  4,  1906,  one  40  inches  long  and 
weighing  16  lbs.  was  caught  in  the  Yellow  River,  a  branch  of  the 
Kankakee. 

Head  3^ ;  depth  5 ;  eye  6^  in  head,  Si  in  snout ;  snout  2f  in 
head;  branchiostegals  14  to  16;  D.  16  or  17  (developed  rays); 
scales  123.  Body  moderately  elongate,  the  back  little  elevated ; 
head  rather  long,  the  eye  exactly  midway  in  its  length,  middle  of 
eye  midway  between  tip  of  chin  and  gill-opening;  cheeks  entirely 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         371 

scaly;  lower  half  of  opercles  bare.  General  color  bluish,  or  green- 
ish gray,  with  many  whitish  or  yellowish  spots,  which  are  usually 
smaller  than  the  eye  and  arranged  somewhat  in  rows ;  dorsal,  anal 
and  caudal  fins  with  roundish  or  oblong  black  spots;  young  with 
the  whitish  spots  coalescing,  forming  oblique  crossbars;  a  white 
horizontal  band  bounding  the  naked  part  of  the  opercle ;  each  scale 
with  a  grayish  V-shaped  speck.     Length  4  feet. 

37.     GRAYBACK 

FUNDULUS  DIAPHANUS   (Le  Sueur) 

(Plate  18) 

Fimdulus  diaphanus  is  represented  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  by 
the  subspecies  menona,  the  range  of  which  extends  from  northern 
Ohio  to  Mississippi.  It  is  a  northern  fish,  not  found  far  south  of 
northern  Illinois. 

At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  this  is  known  as  the  Grayback  or  Grey- 
back  Minnow.  It  was  formerly  very  abundant,  frequently  swim- 
ing  in  considerable  schools  near  shore,  especially  in  late  autumn 
after  the  water  had  become  chilled.  They  remained  rather  near 
shore  the  whole  year  round,  but  were  not  bunched  up  so  much  in 
schools  during  the  summer  as  during  the  winter.  In  1899  and 
1900  these  fishes  were  taken  in  considerable  numbers  in  the  seining 
operations,  the  total  catch  amounting  to  1,197,  and  in  the  autumn  of 
1900  great  schools  were  observed  near  shore.  It  was  quite  abund- 
ant during  the  spring  and  summer  of  1901.  Of  late  years  they 
appear  to  be  decreasing  in  numbers.  In  1906  and  1907  they  did 
not  appear  to  be  nearly  so  abundant  as  formerly.  This  is  probably 
due  to  the  fact  that  this  is  the  most  desirable  fish  in  the  lake  for 
bait,  and  as  it  stays  near  shore,  it  falls  an  easy  prey  to  people  who 
seine  for  minnows.  In  looking  over  a  haul,  people  usually  pick  up 
the  graybacks  first  and  sort  them  out  quite  thoroughly. 

The  Grayback  is  a  handsome,  somewhat  chubby  fish.  Although 
not  strikingly  colored  the  silvery  bars  make  it  quite  attractive, 
and  it  is  this,  combined  with  its  hardiness,  that  makes  it  so 
valuable  as  a  bait  minnow.  It  will  live  under  all  sorts  of  condi- 
tions and  endure  much  cold  without  injury. 

On  November  30,  1900,  a  number  of  fishes — small  catfishes, 
straw-colored  minnows,  etc.,  were  found  in  a  small  pool  near 
Farrar's.  The  sand  had  washed  up,  cutting  the  pool  off  from  the 
main  lake,  and  it  was  frozen  almost  solid.  INIost  of  the  fishes,  es- 
pecially the  straw-colored  minnows,  were  dead ;  among  the  fishes 
in  the  pool  were  13  graybacks,  all  females  which,  on  being  thawed 


372         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

out,  revived  and  were  lively  as  ever.  The  longest  measured  2f 
inches  in  length,  and  the  shortest  It}  inches.  In  raking  up  weeds 
through  the  ice  in  winter,  small  graybacks  were  frequently  brought 
up  along  with  Iowa  darters,  mad  toms  and  crawfishes. 

The  Grayback  subsists  chiefly  on  small  animals ;  the  stomach 
examined  contained  insect  larvae  and  some  entomostraca.  The 
stomach  of  another  2.1  inches  long,  examined  July  3,  contained 
several  small  snails,  several  small  mites,  1  Bosmina  and  a  few 
Cypris.     It  also  contained  several  distomid  parasites. 

On  June  24,  1901,  a  number  of  this  species  were  observed  at 
a  boat  landing  north  of  Long  Point  and  appeared  to  be  mating. 
They  were  in  pairs,  and  the  male,  the  paler  of  the  pair,  kept  swim- 
ming along  below  the  other,  see-sawing  back  and  forth  and  rising 
until  their  noses  touched.  He  followed  her  about  like  a  shadow, 
leaving  only  to  chase  away  other  fishes  that  came  near,  but  always 
returning  to  her.  She  occasionally  dashed  her  nose  at  the  base  of 
some  growing  Chara  obtaining  a  mouthful  of  material,  working  her 
mouth  and  allowing  sand  and  pebbles  to  drop  out.  On  June  27, 
one  examined  contained  large  roe.  Some  were  observed  spawning 
July  14,  1899.  On  July  22,  1906,  some  of  these  fishes  appeared 
to  be  ripe,  but  had  not  yet  spawned.  On  subjecting  them  to 
slight  pressure  masses  of  light  yellow  eggs  oozed  out. 

Head  3|  in  body;  depth  5;  eye  3^  in  head;  D.  12;  A.  10;  B. 
5 ;  scales  48-12.  Body  rather  slender,  not  elevated,  compressed 
posteriorly ;  head  moderate,  quite  flat  above,  teeth  pointed,  curved, 
the  outer  not  much  enlarged ;  fins  not  large ;  dorsal  and  anal  rather 
low ;  ventrals  scarcely  reaching  vent  in  females,  somewhat  longer 
in  the  males.  General  color  olivaceous,  sides  silvery;  males  with 
about  20  silvery  vertical  bars,  narrower  than  the  dark  interspaces ; 
female  with  15  to  20  dark  transverse  bars  shorter  than  the  silvery 
bands  of  the  male.  Dark  bands  very  distinct,  somewhat  irregular 
in  position ;  the  back  always  spotted ;  the  dark  bands  often  replaced 
by  about  16  shining  silvery,  vertical  bands,  which  are  narrower 
than  the  dai'k  interspaces ;  the  interspaces  broadest  behind ;  fins 
plain.    Length  34  inches. 

38.     TOP-MINNOW 

FUNDULUS   DISPAR    (Agassiz) 

(Plate  18) 

This  little  fish  is  to  bo  found  in  lakes  and  sluggish  streams  from 
northern  Ohio  to  Missouri  and  south  to  Mississippi.  In  many  of 
the  waters  in  this  area  it  is  not  to  be  found;  in  others  it  is  quite 


Si. 


> 

S3 


a 

&3 


3 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         373 

abundant.  It  is  rather  common  in  Lost  Lake  and  the  Outlet,  but 
none  was  found  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  During  the  seining  opera- 
tions of  1899-1900,  101  specimens  were  secured,  the  greatest  num- 
ber taken  in  one  haul  being  25. 

This  is  a  very  prettily  marked  little  fish,  the  fine  stripes  of  the 
female,  and  the  combination  of  bars  and  stripes  on  the  male  mak- 
ing the  species  one  of  the  most  handsome  fishes  of  the  lake.  The 
contrast  in  markings  of  the  different  sexes  is  quite  striking,  and 
makes  a  pair  of  these  fishes  especially  interesting;  they  hardly  look 
like  the  same  species. 

The  characteristic  bars  of  the  male  seem  to  be  assumed  quite 
early  in  life,  although  this  seems  to  differ  considerably  in  different 
individuals ;  one  specimen  1]  inches  long  showed  the  bars  quite 
plainly,  while  others  1%  inches  long  showed  them  rather  faintly. 
The  shortest  specimen  obtained  was  about  an  inch  long,  and  the 
longest  2 1  inches.  These  fishes  prefer  shallow  waters,  and  usually 
swim  about  the  surface  two  or  three  together,  and  not  in  great 
schools.  The  dark  patches  over  the  eyes  of  these  fishes  remind 
one  somewhat  of  the  markings  on  the  head  of  the  wood  frog. 

Head  3.75  in  body;  depth  3.5;  D.  7;  A.  9;  scales  35-10;  body 
short  and  deep,  much  compressed ;  head  short  and  very  broad,  the 
fiat  interorbital  space  being  ^  of  its  length,  and  barely  twice  the 
diameter  of  the  eye;  the?  distance  between  the  eyes  above  greater 
than  the  distance  between  them  below ;  snout  broadly  rounded ;  fins 
moderate ;  dorsal  much  smaller  than  anal ;  outer  series  of  teeth 
somewhat  enlarged.  Coloration,  pale  olive,  bluish  in  life;  a  very 
distinct  brownish  line  along  the  edges  of  each  row  of  scales,  ap- 
pearing wavy  or  serrate,  as  it  follows  the  scales;  about  10  of 
these  longitudinal  stripes  present ;  males  with  the  lines  interrupted, 
appearing  as  a  series  of  dots,  and  further  marked  by  about  9  dark 
crossbars ;  adults  with  a  black  blotch  below  the  eye,  sometimes  con- 
fluent with  it.     Oviduct  free  from  anal.     Length  2{  inches. 

39.     SPOTTED  TOP-MINNOW 

FUNDULUS   NOTATUS    (Rafinesque) 

This  pretty  little  fish  is  quite  common  in  ponds  and  canals  from 
Michigan  to  Alabama,  Mississippi  and  Texas.  It  is  usually  seen 
swimming  about,  singly,  in  pairs  or  small  schools,  at  the  surface  of 
the  water.  It  does  not  appear  to  be  common  in  Lake  INIaxinkuckee. 
The  only  specimen  in  the  collection  is  an  example  IJ  inches  long, 
caught  in  the  Culver  Academy  lagoon,  April  4,  1901.  It  is  not 
rare  in  Lost  Lake,  however;  individuals  were  often  seen  swimming 


374         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

along  on  the  surface  in  shallow  water  near  shore.  The  Top-min- 
now is  a  tantalizing  little  fish;  it  looks  like  the  easiest  thing  in 
the  world  to  catch  one  by  closing  the  hands  together  under  it  and 
gently  lifting  it  out  of  the  water  as  it  swims  unconcernedly  along. 
It  generally  manages  to  escape  somehow,  and  the  experiment  can 
be  tried  time  and  again  on  the  same  fish. 

On  July  23,  1906,  a  good  many  of  these  fishes  exceedingly  vari- 
ous in  size,  some  quite  small,  some  medium  sized,  and  some  full 
grown,  were  seen  together  in  the  shallow  water  among  the  weeds  of 
Lost  Lake.  They  had  apparently  spawned  and  hatched  before  this 
time.  A  good  many  of  these  fishes  were  seen  in  Bass  Lake  on 
August  14,  1906,  and  they  were  very  abundant  at  Twin  Lakes 
when  visited  August  31,  1906. 

The  Top-minnow  can  be  recognized  in  the  water  by  the  trans- 
lucent spot  on  the  head,  along  with  its  habit  of  swimming  about 
slowly  at  the  surface. 

Head  4 ;  depth  4.5 ;  eye  large,  less  than  snout,  about  3  in  head. 
D.  9;  A.  11;  scales  34-11.  Body  rather  slender,  compressed  be- 
hind; head  low,  depressed,  and  rather  elongate;  the  snout  some- 
what produced,  the  lower  jaw  scarcely  projecting;  interorbital 
space  broad,  its  width  about  half  length  of  head ;  fins  moderate,  the 
dorsal  and  anal  elevated  in  the  males;  teeth  in  a  broad  band,  the 
outer  series  considerably  enlarged  and  canine  like.  Coloration, 
brownish  olive,  with  a  broad  dark,  purplish-black  lateral  band  run- 
ning from  tip  of  snout  through  eye  to  base  of  caudal,  darker  in 
males  than  in  females ;  young  specimens  have  the  edges  of  the  band 
serrated;  a  few  series  of  small  black  dots  along  the  sides  of  the 
back;  dorsal,  caudal  and  anal  fins  dotted  with  black;  top  of  head 
with  a  conspicuous  translucent  spot  in  life;  concentric  striae  on 
scales  strong.     Length  2  to  3^  inches. 

40.     BROOK  STICKLEBACK 

EUCALIA  INCONSTANS    (Kirtland) 

(Plate  17) 

The  Brook  Stickleback  is  found  in  small  creeks  and  lakes  from 
New  York  westward  to  Kansas,  northward  to  Saskatchewan,  and 
southward  to  central  Ohio  and  Illinois,  the  southernmost  record 
being  Decatur  County,  Indiana.  It  is  abundant  in  the  Great  Lakes 
region. 

At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  does  not  appear  to  be  rare.  Through- 
out the  summer,  however,  they  appear  to  stay  in  rather  deep  water 
in  the  lake.     Only  one  specimen  was  taken  in  the  net  during  the 


X 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         375 

seining  operations.  Specimens  could  almost  always  be  obtained 
however,  any  time  of  year  by  dredging  in  rather  deep  water  for 
them,  in  which  case  they  would  become  entangled  in  the  long  water- 
weeds  among  which  they  appear  to  dwell.  Specimens  were  ob- 
tained by  dredging  up  Vallisneria  at  the  Sugarloaf  bar  in  water 
from  13  to  16  feet,  and  by  dredging  at  the  Kettlehole.  The  best 
place  for  them,  however,  was  the  Weedpatch,  where  by  dredging 
up  the  long  Nitella  from  a  depth  of  18  to  23  feet,  specimens  could 
almost  always  be  brought  up.  They  were  raked  up  in  weeds  from 
the  same  region  during  the  winter. 

In  the  winter  they  appear  to  come  near  shore,  and  stay  among 
the  weeds  in  shallow  water.  During  the  winter  of  1904  a  good 
number  of  specimens  were  raked  up  in  weeds  near  shore,  both  in 
Outlet  Bay  and  in  the  Inlet  region,  along  with  Iowa  darters,  young 
bluegills,  mad  toms  and  the  like. 

During  the  autumn  of  1900,  some  of  these  fishes  were  caught 
and  kept  in  jars  as  aquarium  fish.  They  lived  throughout  the  win- 
ter and  proved  very  interesting;  they  fed  eagerly  on  the  red 
Chironomus  larvse  raked  up  in  mud.  They  also  fed  on  Cladocera 
and  Copepods  taken  in  the  towing  net,  darting  after  them  and 
swallowing  them  with  great  avidity.  It  was  hoped  they  would 
nest  and  spawn  in  the  jars  used  as  aquariums,  but  with  the  ap- 
pearance of  warm  weather  they  became  restless  and  finally  died 
(May  15),  the  water  having  evidently  become  too  hot  for  them. 

The  Stickleback  is  carnivorous,  subsisting  mainly  on  small  ani- 
mals of  the  lake.  A  full  grown  example  obtained  June  27,  1901, 
contained  insect  larvse  and  Entomostraca ;  a  half-grown  one  cap- 
tured the  same  time,  contained  Copepods.  Of  those  examined  in  De- 
cember, one  1.81  inches  long  containef  a  small  beach  flea,  Cyclops, 
Daphnia,  Bosmina  and  insect  larvse ;  one  1§  inches  long  con- 
tained Cyclops,  Daphnia  and  beach  fleas ;  one  1.69  inches  long  con- 
tained insect  larv^  and  Cladocera;  one  1.94  inches  long  contained 
2  beach  fleas,  some  Ostracods,  Cyclops,  water  fleas  (Daphnia)  and 
insect  larvse ;  another  If  inches  long  contained  Cyclops,  and  an- 
other of  the  same  length  contained  1  Ostracod  and  2  Daphnias. 

This  little  fish  with  its  elegant  form,  slender  caudal  peduncle, 
and  handsome  speckled  coloration,  is  one  of  the  prettiest  fishes  of 
the  lake. 

Notwithstanding  the  fact  that  the  Stickleback  is  a  very  spiny 
object,  it  is  sometimes  eaten  by  other  fishes.  One  was  found  in  the 
stomach  of  a  yellow  perch  in  June,  1901,  and  in  the  summer  of  1906 
a  small  straw  bass  1','  inches  long  was  found  dead  with  a  Stickle- 
back lodged  in  its  mouth. 


376         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Sticklebacks  are  occasionally  found  dead  along  shore.  On  May 
22,  1901,  sixteen  examples  were  found  dead  drifted  up  in  a  pile 
of  drift  near  Murray's.  This  was  the  largest  number  obtained 
at  one  time,  and  appeared  to  indicate  either  an  epidemic  or  some 
crisis  connected  with  the  breeding  season.  One  of  the  specimens 
of  the  lot  was  examined  and  contained  a  good  number  of  medium- 
sized  yellow  eggs. 

41.     SKIPJACK 

LABIDESTHES    SICCULUS    (Cope) 

(Plate  19) 

This  graceful  little  fish  is  widely  distributed  in  ponds  and  slug- 
gish streams  from  Lake  Ontario  and  southern  Michigan  to  Iowa, 
Florida  and  Texas.  At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is,  with  the  possible 
exception  of  the  straw-colored  minnow,  the  most  abundant  fish. 
During  the  summer  these  fish  are  pretty  well  distributed 
throughout  the  surface  waters  of  the  lake,  where  they  can  fre- 
quently be  seen  jumping  out  of  the  water  in  low  horizontal  curves, 
a  whole  school  sometimes  jumping  at  the  same  time  and  forming  a 
very  attractive  spectacle.  Usually  they  appear  to  be  jumping  to 
escape  some  enemy  beneath,  but  sometimes  seem  to  be  jumping 
for  mere  sport.  On  July  31,  1899,  a  school  of  very  small  fry  were 
seen  at  the  surface  near  the  buoy  in  85  feet  of  water,  and  on  Sep- 
tember 21  several  schools  were  seen  far  out  in  the  lake. 

During  the  seining  operations,  most  of  which  were  carried  on 
during  the  summer  when  these  fishes  are  not  especially  crow^ded 
near  shore,  great  numbers  were  caught  and  thrown  back  without 
counting.  Record  was  kept  of  1,206  specimens  captured,  and  on 
July  17  over  500  young  were  taken  at  one  haul. 

The  skipjacks  swim  near  the  surface,  and  a  few  can  be  seen 
along  shore  almost  any  day  the  year  round,  and  people  seining  for 
minnows  during  the  summer  usually  get  a  few  of  these  fishes  every 
haul.  With  the  coming  of  cold  weather  in  autumn,  especially  after 
the  water  begins  to  get  chilled,  they  come  near  shore  first  in 
the  evenings,  and  their  presence  is  manifested  by  a  great 
deal  of  lisping.  On  September  10  and  11,  1906,  much  of  this 
characteristic  sound  was  heard  near  shore,  and  the  towing-net  was 
taken  out  on  the  pier  and  an  attempt  v\^as  made  to  collect  the 
surface  plankton  found  there  at  the  time  to  discover  if  any  par- 
ticular abundance  of  plankton  was  related  to  the  habits  of  these 
fishes.  The  gentle  dipping  of  the  net  sounded  somewhat  like  the 
lisping  of  the  skipjacks,  and  they  gathered  around,  apparently 
either  to  satisfy  their  curiosity  as  to  the  cause  of  the  noise,  or  in 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         2>11 

the  hopes  of  finding  better  feeding  grounds.  A  few  were  caught 
in  the  towing-net,  and  the  stomachs  found  to  contain  Entomostraca. 
They  also  appeared  to  be  attracted,  or  at  least  undisturbed,  by 
the  light  of  a  lantern  held  close  to  the  water.  Single  individuals 
would  lie  perfectly  still  poised  in  the  water  almost  precisely  like 
pickerel  or  the  gar-pike,  disappearing  with  a  sudden  dart,  prob- 
ably after  prey.  Later  in  the  year  they  come  up  along  shore  in 
great  numbers  and  remain  there  most  of  the  day,  sometimes  alone, 
sometimes  in  company  with  various  species  of  minnows,  especially 
the  straw-colored  minnow,  Notro'pis  blennius.  When  they  are  with 
the  straw-colored  minnow,  the  latter  usually  form  the  lower  layer 
of  the  school,  while  the  skipjacks  form  the  upper  part  near  the 
surface.  On  November  11,  1900,  in  2  hauls  along  shore  with  a 
15-foot  seine  about  2  gallons  of  these  fishes,  most  of  which  ap- 
peared to  be  adults,  were  taken,  and  they  appeared  to  be  equally 
numerous  on  various  other  occasions.  When  the  fishes  thus 
crowded  along  the  shore,  are  approached,  they  will  make  for  deeper 
water,  heading  in  one  direction,  and  swimming  with  rapid  lateral 
flexions  of  the  posterior  part  of  the  body.  If  suddenly  frightened, 
however,  they  scatter  in  every  direction.  They  appear  to  remain 
near  shore  all  winter,  as  they  can  be  seen  in  great  schools  under 
the  clear  ice  during  the  winter,  and  are  seen  along  shore  in  large 
numbers  in  spring.  They  are  sometimes  seen  in  considerable 
schools  in  the  Outlet  near  the  wagon  or  railroad  bridge  in  the 
winter.  They  are  often  seen  running  in  schools  and  jumping  out 
of  the  water  as  if  pursued  by  some  enemy.  On  September  12, 
1907,  a  black  bass  about  a  foot  long  was  observed  to  come  up 
nearly  to  the  shore  for  them.  In  the  winter  of  1901  a  grebe 
(Podilymbiis  podiceps)  was  seen  swimming  along  under  water 
near  shore,  and  a  number  of  small  fishes,  probably  these,  were  seen 
jumping  out  of  the  water  ahead.  The  Skipjack  is  perhaps  the 
most  persecuted  fish  in  the  lake,  and  it  is  a  wonder  how  they  keep 
up  their  numbers,  feeding  at  the  surface  in  large  conspicuous 
schools  as  they  do.  They  are  attacked  by  the  pike,  bass,  and  other 
carnivorous  fishes,  as  well  as  by  the  helldiver  from  below,  and 
darted  at  by  the  terns,  gulls  and  kingfishers  and  other  birds  of 
prey  from  above,  so  that  they  ai-e  somewhat  in  such  desperate 
plight  as  the  ancient  Britons  whom  the  barbarians  drove  down  into 
the  sea,  and  the  sea  threw  back  on  land.  They  certainly  serve  a 
useful  purpose  in  furnishing  much  food  to  fishes  of  the  lake. 

The  stomach  of  a  black  tern  examined  August  11,  1900,  con- 
tained 19  young  of  this  species.  They  appear  to  escape  the  water- 
dog.     During  the  winter,  because  of  their  activity,  or  the  fact  that 


378         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  S^irvey 

they  stay  near  the  surface,  occasionally  they,  like  other  small 
fishes,  fall  victims  to  cold,  as  the  water,  on  chilling,  benumbs  them 
somewhat,  and  rough  water  in  Autumn  is  likely  to  wash  some  of 
them  ashore. 

The  Skipjack  probably  spawns  during  the  latter  part  of  June 
and  through  July.  On  June  13,  1901,  some  were  examined  and 
found  to  contain  eggs  which  were  clear,  of  a  yellowish  cast,  and 
about  1/27  inch  in  diameter.  On  the  next  day  3  or  4  were  seen 
coming  up  the  Outlet  in  arrowy  dashes.  They  seemed  to  be  mat- 
ing, 2  pairs  were  seen  swimming  about  together  a  good  deal,  and 
they  chased  each  other  considerably. 

In  the  seining  operations  of  1899,  frequent  mention  is  made  of 
getting  many,  mostly  young,  (they  may  have  been  young  of  the 
year  before)  about  July  8  to  31.  On  July  20,  1906,  a  few  of  these 
fishes  used  for  bait  had  not  yet  spawned;  they  were  so  ripe  that 
the  eggs  extruded  while  placing  them  on  the  hook.  Two  days 
after  this  they  were  seen  sporting  about  as  if  ready  to  mate. 

No  use  is  made  of  the  Skipjack  at  the  lake.  Perch  and  red-eye 
will  bite  at  them,  but  they  die  too  easily  to  be  used  as  bait  for  game 
fishes.  It  is  quite  probable  that  its  flesh  would  prove  to  be  well- 
flavored  and  firm,  as  many  of  its  larger  relatives,  which  are  found 
usually  near  the  coast  in  temperate  and  tropical  seas,  are  famous 
for  their  excellence.  Its  small  size,  however,  has  prevented  any 
attempt  to  use  it  for  food.  Of  200  examples  measured,  the  longest 
(2)  were  3.25  in.  long.  The  shortest  was  2.25  inches  long,  and 
the  average  2.67.     They  are,  moreover,  quite  slender  fishes. 

Their  food  consists  chiefly  of  insects  and  Entomostraca.  One 
caught  September  9,  1906,  contained  Bosmina  and  Diaptomus ;  2 
captured  September  10,  mature  insects  and  quite  large  masses  of 
Bosmina ;  2  others  contained  several  mature  insects,  and  several 
Daphnias.  One  contained  a  small  parasitic  round  worm;  4  caught 
October  20,  contained  large  insects  and  Copepods,  and  one  exam- 
ined June  26,  contained  insect  larvae.  The  Skipjack  is  also  abund- 
ant in  Lost  Lake  and  in  Culver  Inlet.  It  is  a  particularly  hand- 
some fish  in  the  water,  the  changeable  colors  glowing  opal  and 
enhanced  by  the  transparency  of  the  body. 

Head  4^;  depth  6;  eye  3i;  D.  IV-1,  11;  A.  I,  23;  scales  75. 
Body  elongate,  very  slender,  compressed;  head  long,  flattened 
above,  narrow  below;  snout  slender,  conic;  premaxillaries  broad 
posteriorly,  very  protractile,  produced  forward ;  snout  longer  than 
the  large  eye.  Edge  of  upper  jaws  strongly  concave;  teeth  very 
slender,  mostly  in  one  series,  forming  a  narrow  band  in  front; 
scales  small,  thin,  with  entire  edges;  spinous  dorsal  very  small; 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         379 

soft  dorsal  short;  anal  fin  long;  caudal  forked;  pectorals  moder- 
ate; first  dorsal  inserted  somewhat  behind  the  vent.  Pale  olive 
green,  translucent;  lateral  silvery  band  very  distinct,  scarcely 
broader  than  the  pupil,  bounded  above  by  a  dark  line ;  back  dotted 
with  black.  In  the  black  waters  of  the  lowland  swamps,  the  sil- 
very is  underlaid  with  black.     Length  3^  in. 

42.     CRAPPIE 

POMOXIS    ANNULARIS    Rafincsque 

(Plate  20) 

The  Crappie  occurs  throughout  the  Great  Lakes  region,  west  to 
Nebraska  and  Kansas  and  south  throughout  the  lowlands  of  the 
Mississippi  Valley  to  Texas.  It  is  rather  rare  northward,  but  in 
the  lower  Mississippi  basin  and  the  coastal  region  of  Texas,  it  is 
generally  abundant.  It  prefers  the  sluggish  waters  of  ponds, 
bayous,  lagoons,  and  lowland  streams.  It  attains  a  length  of  about 
a  foot,  and  a  pound  in  weight.  Examples  weighing  3  or  4  pounds 
have  been  reported  in  the  south,  but  such  weights  must  be  very 
unusual.  The  examples  of  this  species  obtained  in  the  north  rarely 
weigh  over  three-quarters  of  a  pound. 

The  true  Crappie  is  very  rare  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  During 
the  summer  and  fall  of  1899  when  we  were  doing  our  most  thor- 
ough collecting  of  the  fishes  of  this  lake,  a  few  specimens  of  the 
Crappie  were  obtained.  These  were  all  young  fish  1  to  3  years  old 
and  were  seined  in  shallow  water.  No  specimens  were  seen  in 
1900.  A  great  many  of  the  fish  which  the  anglers  call  "crappie" 
were  examined  but  they  all  proved  to  be  the  calico  bass  {Ponioxis 
sparoides) .  The  2  species  are  entirely  distinct,  though  difficult  to 
distinguish  except  by  an  examination  of  their  technical  characters. 
The  most  evident  and  most  reliable  diff"erential  character  is  found 
in  the  number  of  dorsal  spines.  The  dorsal  fin  in  the  Crappie  has 
5  or  6  sharp  spines,  while  the  calico  bass  has  7  or  8.  In  the 
Crappie  the  anal  fin  is  usually  plain  and  the  anterior  profile  is 
strongly  curved,  while  in  the  calico  bass  the  anal  fin  is  strongly  re- 
ticulated or  marbled,  and  the  anterior  profile  is  more  nearly 
straight.  The  calico  bass  is  also  a  deeper  fish  than  the  Crappie, 
its  depth  being  half  its  length,  while  that  of  the  Crappie  is  only 
f  its  length. 

Within  the  last  11  years  the  United  States  Fish  Commission 
has  planted  in  this  lake  3,200  so-called  "Crappie"  but  it  is  prob- 
able that  the  majority  of  these  were  really  calico  bass.^     But  as 

1  See  p.  280. 


380         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

they  all  came  from  the  ponds  along  the  lower  Illinois  River  it  is 
likely  many  of  them  were  crappies. 

In  habits  the  Crappie  does  not  differ  greatly  from  the  calico 
bass.  It  is  more  southei'n  in  its  distribution,  a  fact  doubtless  de- 
termined largely  by  its  ability  to  thrive  in  warmer  water  than  the 
other  species ;  and  intimately  associated  with  this  is  its  apparent 
preference  for  shallow  water  and  mud  bottom,  conditions  nearly 
everywhere  found  in  the  overflow  ponds,  lagoons,  lakes  and  bayous 
of  the  lower  Mississippi  Valley.  Among  the  small  lakes  of  north- 
ern Indiana,  the  Crappie  is  more  numerous  in  the  shallow,  warmer 
ones  (such  as  Bruce,  Fletcher,  Bass  and  Eagle)  than  in  those  of 
greater  depth  and  colder  water. 

Very  little  seems  to  be  known  regarding  the  game  or  food 
qualities  of  this  species  as  distinguished  from  those  of  the  calico 
bass.  Its  habits  being  essentially  the  same,  it  probably  does  not 
differ  greatly  in  other  respects.  Owing  to  the  warmer  water  in 
which  it  is  usually  found  it  is  apt  to  be  somewhat  less  gamy  and 
may  not  be  as  delicately  flavored. 

In  different  parts  of  its  habitat  it  bears  different  vernacular 
names.  In  the  Ohio  Valley  it  is  called  Bachelor;  in  Illinois,  Indi- 
ana, West  Virginia  and  Kentucky  it  is  the  Newlight,  Campbellite  or 
Lamplighter, — names  given  to  it  by  the  irreverent  during  the  great 
Campbellite  movement  in  the  Ohio  Valley  in  the  early  part  of  the 
Nineteenth  Century ;  in  the  Southern  States  it  is  called  Sac  -  a'  - 
lait  and  Chinquapin  Perch.  Other  local  names  are  Tin-mouth, 
Paper-mouth,  Bridge  Perch,  Goggle-eye,  Speckled  Perch,  Shad,  and 
John  Demon.  Most  of  these  names  are  also  applied  to  the  calico 
bass.  The  only  place  where  we  have  heard  the  name  ''John 
Demon"  was  at  a  small  lake  in  northeastern  Indiana,  and  the 
species  meant  was  more  likely  the  calico  bass  than  the  Crappie. 

Among  the  Louisiana  anglers,  especially  about  Lake  Pont- 
chartrain,  the  Crappie  is  a  prime  favorite,  for  it  will  take  a  min- 
now bait  as  promptly  as  a  black  bass.  It  is  not  very  pugnacious, 
however,  and  will  not  fight  as  long  as  the  bass,  and  it  is  more 
easily  frightened,  requiring  greater  caution  on  the  part  of  the 
angler. 

A  correspondent  of  the  American  Angler-  describes  the  fishing 
in  Cedar  Lake,  Indiana.  Angling  is  carried  on  from  little  flat- 
bottomed  skiffs  and  from  sail-boats,  with  bait  minnows,  worms 
or  pieces  of  fish.  In  5  hours  2  men  caught  57  bass  and  82  crap- 
pies. Trolling  is  a  favorite  mode  of  fishing  among  the  people  who 
live  near  the  lake,  who,  using  2  lines  with  spoon  bait  or  ''whirl", 

-  American  Angler,  II,  87. 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         381 

and  fishing  from  a  sail-boat,  frequently  take  200  or  more  Crappie 
in  a  day,  besides  occasional  pickerel,  perch,  and  bass.  Two  men 
fishing  for  pleasure,  took,  in  June,  1882,  in  the  course  of  3  days,  a 
thousand  crappies,  weighing  from  4  to  24  ounces  each.  Of  course 
any  two  men  who  can  be  satisfied  to  destroy  fish  in  that  way,  and 
who  find  pleasure  in  it,  are  game  hogs  of  the  most  conscienceless 
kind. 

Another  correspondent  of  the  same  journal  writes  entertain- 
ingly concerning  Crappie  fishing  near  St.  Louis.  "Our  Crappie, 
the  greatest  pan-fish  of  the  West,  is  highly  esteemed  by  us  for 
the  table.  We  have  seen  a  monster  crappie  this  spring,  weighing 
over  3  pounds,  taken  at  Murdock  Club  Lake,  near  St.  Louis,  on 
the  Illinois  side.  We  consider  one  of  1^  to  2  pounds  a  large  one. 
They  are  taken  about  logs  and  fallen  tree-tops,  on  the  water's  edge, 
in  our  rivers  and  sloughs.  They  are  greedy  fellows,  but  as  soon  as 
hooked,  step  right  into  the  boat  without  a  struggle  for  liberty. 

"A  gentlemen  of  this  place,  a  member  of  one  of  our  old  French 
families,  who  turned  the  scale  at  about  300  pounds,  was  noted  for 
his  success  in  crappie  fishing.  He  would  have  his  large  flat  towed 
to  a  tree ;  when  tied  to  a  limb,  he  would  settle  himself  for  the  day, 
on  a  pillow,  placed  in  a  large  split-bottom  chair.  Hauling  his 
live-box  and  minnow^-pail  alongside,  he  would  bait  2  hooks  attached 
to  a  strong  line,  using  a  weak  snell,  so  that  in  case  the  hook  should 
foul,  he  could  break  it  loose.  He  used  a  float  and  short,  stout 
bamboo  rod  and,  shaking  the  bushes  a  little,  'to  stir  up  the  fish', 
would  select  an  opening  and  carefully  drop  in  the  minnow,  2  feet 
below  the  surface,  pass  the  ends  of  the  rods  through  rings  in  the 
side  of  the  boat,  light  his  pipe,  and  wait  for  something  to  happen. 
It  was  not  long,  and  after  the  fun  began,  it  was  the  same  monot- 
onous lifting  out  of  fish,  and  dropping  them  into  the  live-box  all 
the  day  long,  and  was  continued  on  the  next,  until  he  had  brought 
to  creel  over  three  hundred. 

"I  have  always  associated  in  my  mind  the  crappie,  and  the  love 
of  ease  and  quiet  of  our  old  French  inhabitants.  Nothing  could 
more  truly  represent  contentment  and  ease  than  the  picture  of  this 
simple-minded  old  gentlemen  on  his  annual  crappie  fish  at  King's 
Lake." 

Head  3;  depth  2},;  eye  4;  D.  V  or  VI,  15;  A.  VI,  18;  scales 
7-36  to  48-14,  4  or  5  rows  on  cheek ;  body  rather  short,  greatly  com- 
pressed ;  head  long,  the  profile  strongly  curved  owing  to  the  pro- 
jecting snout,  depressed  occipital  region,  and  very  prominent 
thickened  antedorsal  region ;  mouth  very  wide.  Color,  silvery-olive, 
mottled  with  dark  green,  the  dark  markings  chiefly  on  the  upper 


382  Lake  Maxinknckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Snrvey 

part  of  the  body  and  having  a  tendency  to  form  narrow  vertical 
bars ;  dorsal  and  caudal  fms  marked  with  green ;  anal  fin  pale, 
nearly  plain ;  fins  very  high,  but  lower  than  in  the  calico  bass. 

43.     CALICO  BASS 

POMOXIS  SPAROIDES    (Lacepede) 

(Plates  21  and  23) 

This  fish  is  found  through  the  Great  Lakes  region  and  south  to 
New  Jersey  and  Texas.  Among  the  Great  Lakes  and  throughout 
the  upper  Mississippi  Valley  it  is  an  abundant  and  well-known 
species.  As  to  choice  of  habitat,  it  prefers  lakes,  ponds,  bayous  and 
sluggish  lowland  streams.  At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  quite  com- 
mon, and  is  frequently  seen  and  caught.  Although  a  relatively 
shallow  water  fish  it  does  not  frequent  the  shore  very  much  except 
on  special  occasions,  but  seems  to  inhabit  the  zone  of  8  to  14  feet 
of  water.  For  this  reason  only  a  few  (12  or  13  specimens)  were 
taken  during  the  seining  operation.  It  sometimes  basks  near  the 
surface  in  relatively  deep  water.  On  April  29,  1901,  a  great  num- 
ber of  fishes  were  noted  splashing  in  the  region  of  the  deepest 
water  of  the  lake.  The  fishes  would  be  lying  on  the  side  and  go 
under  with  a  splash  when  the  boat  came  near.  On  cautiously  ap- 
proaching the  school  it  was  possible  to  get  close  enough  to  recog- 
nize the  species,  and  it  proved  to  be  the  Calico  Bass. 

In  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  far  more  abundant  than  the  Crappie, 
Pomoxis  annuktiis.  It  is,  however,  usually  mistaken  for  that 
species  and  called  "Crappie"  by  most  of  the  anglers  who  know  it 
from  this  and  other  lakes  of  northern  Indiana.  There  are  a  few 
who  are  able  to  distinguish  the  2  species,  and  they  usually  speak 
of  this  as  the  Strawberry  Bass,  Paper-mouth  or  Tin-mouth.  The 
first  of  these  three  names  has  reference,  of  course,  to  the  color  of 
the  fish;  "Paper-mouth"  was  doubtless  given  because  of  the  great 
ease  with  which  the  mouth  tears,  releasing  the  hook  and  allowing 
the  fish  to  escape;  and  the  name  "Tin-mouth"  has  reference  to  the 
thinness  as  well  as  the  color  of  the  jaws.  Occasionally  a  visiting- 
angler  will  speak  of  this  fish  as  the  "Silver  Bass",  or  sometimes 
as  the  "Campbellite". 

As  a  game-fish  the  Calico  Bass  does  not  hold  a  high  rank, 
though  there  are  many  anglers  who  find  that  catching  it  is  full  of 
pleasure  and  satisfaction  and  not  without  excitement.  It  is  a  fish 
which  can  be  caught  any  month  in  the  year;  in  the  early  spring 
shortly  after  the  ice  goes  off,  it,  along  with  other  sunfishes,  bites 
well  from  piers,  and  a  number  were  caught  near  the  Ice-houses 


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Plate  23 


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■« 


CALICO  BASS    {I'oDio.rix  tfjiaroides) 


ROCK   BASS    (AiiihlopUtea  rinicstrii)  » 

These   photographs   were  taken    from   life   at   Lake   Maxinkuckee  by   A.   RadcIifFe  DuKmore  for  Jordan   and   Ever- 
mann's   "American   Food  and  Game   Fishes."   published  by  Doubleday,   Pase  and   C<)mi>any. 
25—17618 


384         Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

about  the  end  of  April.  Veiy  good  fishing  is  also  had  in  October. 
We  have  records  of  good  catches  made  on  October  18  and  30,  and 
on  November  3,  4,  7  and  9 ;  also  in  January,  February,  June,  Aug- 
ust and  September.  The  largest  catch  of  which  we  have  a  note 
was  made  late  in  October  or  early  in  November,  1894,  and  con- 
sisted of  42. pounds,  representing  not  fewer  than  100  fish.  It  is 
fair  to  say  that  this  catch  was  made  by  a  party  of  several  persons. 

It  is  said  that  the  Calico  Bass  will  bite  readily  at  spawning 
time,  but  that  only  the  males  will  do  so.  They  will  take  a  worm, 
small  minnow,  or  a  piece  of  fish.  In  the  winter  and  late  fall  they 
bite  readily  at  a  small  minnow,  such  as  the  straw-colored  minnow 
(Notrojns  hle^inius) ,  the  blunt-nosed  minnow  (Pimephales  no- 
tatus)    or  the  skipjack   (Labidesthes  siccidus) . 

This  fish  will  take  not  only  a  small  live  minnow,  but  it  will 
take  a  dead  minnow,  a  worm,  a  piece  of  fish  or  a  grub.  It  is  often 
taken  with  a  small  trolling  spoon  and  we  have  occasionally  taken 
it  with  a  small  artificial  fly.  And  we  recall  one  instance  when  it 
was  taken  in  Lost  Lake  on  the  Harris  floating  meadow-frog. 

Ordinarily  during  the  summer  months  not  many  of  this  species 
are  caught,  but  in  September  they  begin  to  bite  more  freely,  and 
by  October,  one  who  seeks  them  in  their  proper  haunts  is  quite 
sure  to  meet  with  reasonable  success.  The  species  is  usually  taken 
by  still  fishing,  though  at  times  it  may  be  gotten  by  trolling.  Dur- 
ing the  summer  months  it  frequents  the  deeper  paiis  of  the  lake, 
coming  on  to  the  edges  of  the  bars  and  into  shallow  water  near 
shore  in  the  night.  In  September  and  early  October  it  remains 
about  the  edges  of  the  bars  where  the  water  is  8  to  20  feet  deep. 
Late  in  October  it  generally  moves  down  into  deeper  water  until 
the  lake  freezes  over.  It  can  most  readily  be  taken  at  a  depth  of 
from  30  to  40  feet.  The  largest  October  catches  that  we  recall 
were  at  a  depth  of  40  feet.  About  the  middle  of  November,  1906, 
a  great  school  of  this  species,  averaging  about  6  inches  in  length, 
collected  under  the  Merchants  pier  at  Culver.  They  presented  a 
beautiful  spectacle  shining  up  through  the  water  like  a  great  flock 
of  guinea  fowl.  When  the  lake  freezes  over,  the  Calico  Bass  leaves 
the  deeper  water  and  comes  out  upon  the  bars  where  the  water  is 
6  to  25  feet  deep.  Its  favorite  haunts  are  the  small  channels  be- 
tween the  bars,  leaving  more  shallow  ridges  between.  The  cool- 
ing of  the  temperature  has  a  markedly  paralyzing  eff'ect  upon  them. 
When  first  seen  under  clear  ice  they  attempt  to  swim  away,  but  in 
a  cramped  fashion.  They  are  unable  to  swim  faster  than  one  can 
walk  and,  instead  of  warming  up  and  becoming  more  active,  they 
soon  become  exhausted,  give  up  trying  to  swim  and  lie  on  their 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         385 

side  among-  the  weeds  and  appear  to  be  actually  panting.  It  is 
in  the  shallow  channels  that  they  are  caught  when  fishing  through 
the  ice. 

In  fishing  for  Calico  Bass  one  must  be  careful  not  to  select  too 
large  a  hook.  For  this  lake  the  best  size  is  No.  1  or  No.  2  hook, 
and  a  hook  with  a  long  barb  has  advantages,  as  it  is  not  so  easily 
thrown  out  when  the  mouth  tears,  which  it  is  very  apt  to  do  on 
account  of  its  extreme  tenderness. 

While  it  is  true  that  this  fish  will  take  several  kinds  of  bait, 
it  takes  some  of  them  only  rarely  or  reluctantly.  .As  already 
stated,  it  has  been  taken  with  the  fly,  and  in  Lost  Lake  with  the 
artificial  frog,  but  for  lakes  like  Maxinkuckee  such  lures  are  not 
recommended.  Trolling  with  a  small  spoon  late  in  the  evening  or 
in  the  early  fall  is  usually  fairly  successful.  They  will  also  now 
and  then  take  a  small  live  minnow  that  is  being  slowly  trolled,  but 
they  are  best  taken  by  still  fishing,  and  the  best  bait  is  a  small  min- 
now, the  more  silvery  species,  such  as  the  Straw-colored  minnow 
{Notropis  hlennius) ,  the  Red-nosed  minnow  (A^.  mbrifrons)  or  the 
satin  fin  {N.  whiirplii)  being  preferred.  A  small  minnow  should 
be  selected,  and  2  very  small  ones  put  upon  the  same  hook  will  often 
prove  quite  attractive. 

Sometimes  the  Calico  Bass  is  a  greedy  biter,  taking  the  hook 
much  as  does  the  straw  bass,  but  after  a  short  quick  run  it  is 
apt  to  drop  the  bait  unless  it  is  well  hooked.  Usually  it  bites  less 
vigorously  than  the  straw  bass,  and  does  not  make  much  of  a 
fight  until  it  is  brought  near  the  surface,  when  it  turns  upon  its 
side  and  flaps  quite  vigorously  until  brought  to  net;  and  it  should 
be  mentioned  that  the  landing  net  is  an  essential  with  this  fish ;  for, 
owing'  to  its  delicate  mouth  it  is  not  safe  to  attempt  to  lift  it 
out  of  the  water  by  the  hook. 

As  a  pan-fish  the  Calico  Bass  is  far  superior  to  the  rock  bass 
but  not  equal  to  the  bluegill  or  yellow  perch.  Its  flesh  is  white, 
flaky  and  firm,  but  rather  coarser  than  that  of  the  bluegill ;  it  is, 
however,  sweet,  and  is,  by  most  persons  who  are  familiar  with  it, 
highly  esteemed. 

The  following,  written  by  Professor  Jared  Potter  Kirtland  more 
than  half  a  century  ago,  though  placing  somewhat  too  high  an  es- 
timate upon  the  food  value  of  this  fish,  is  a  reliable  and  interesting 
account  of  its  habits. 

"The  'Grass  Bass'  has  not  hitherto  been  deemed  worthy  of  con- 
sideration by  fish  culturists;  yet,  from  a  long  acquaintance  with  its 
merits,  I  hesitate  not  to  pronounce  it  the  fish  for  the  viillions.  It 
is  a  native  of  our  western  rivers  and  lakes,  where  it  usuallv  resorts 


386         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

to  deep  and  sluggish  waters ;  yet  in  several  instances,  where  it 
has  found  its  way  into  cold  and  rapid  streams,  and  even  small  sized 
brooks,  by  means  of  the  constructing  of  canals  or  by  the  hand  of 
man,  it  has  adapted  itself  to  the  change,  and  in  2  or  3  years  stocked 
to  overflowing  these  new  locations.  As  a  pan-fish  for  the  table  it 
is  surpassed  by  few  other  freshwater  species.  For  endurance  and 
rapidity  of  increase  it  is  unequaled 

"The  Grass  Bass  is  perfectly  adapted  to  stocking  ponds.  It 
will  thrive  without  care  in  very  small  ponds  of  sufficient  depth.  It 
will  in  nowise  interfere  with  the  cultivation  of  any  number  of 
species,  large  or  small,  in  the  same  waters.  It  will  live  harmoni- 
ously with  all  others,  and  while  its  structure  and  disposition  re- 
strain it  from  attacking  any  other  but  very  small  fry,  its  formid- 
able armature  of  spinous  rays  in  the  dorsal  and  abdominal  fins 
will  guard  it  against  the  voracious  pike." 

The  operations  of  the  United  States  Fish  Commission  and  those 
of  some  of  the  state  commissions  have  considerably  extended  its 
range  by  its  introduction  into  waters  which  it  did  not  previously 
inhabit. 

Its  spawning  time  is  usually  during  the  last  half  of  June,  though 
some  individuals  may  begin  spawning  a  little  earlier  and  occasion- 
ally the  spawning  season  will  be  prolonged  into  July.  The  place 
selected  is  on  the  tops  and  near  the  edges  of  the  bars  in  8  to  10 
feet  of  water  or  shallower.  The  particular  place  selected  is  apt  to 
be  on  a  small  ridge  in  a  clean  patch  of  sand  surrounded  by  short 
Chara  which  abounds  on  most  of  the  bars  at  these  depths.  It  is 
known  to  spawn  in  considerable  numbers  on  the  bars  off"  Long- 
Point  and  it  probably  spawns  on  all  such  bars  in  the  lake.  The 
nest  is  usually  somewhat  circular  in  form  and  is  about  8  or  9 
inches  in  diameter.  The  nest  is  composed  usually  of  coarse  sand 
and  fine  gravel,  with  occasionally  a  few  dead  shells  of  Vivipara 
contectoides.  So  far  as  observed  the  nests  are  not  very  close  to 
each  other,  but  are  usually  separated  by  a  distance  of  5  or  6  feet, 
thus  giving  each  nest  or  pair  of  fish  from  6  to  8  square  feet  of 
space. 

We  have  not,  as  yet,  been  able  to  make  any  satisfactory  obser- 
vations as  to  the  number  of  eggs  which  this  species  lays  or  the 
period  of  incubation,  nor  are  we  aware  that  these  facts  have  been 
determined  by  any  one. 

The  Calico  Bass  reaches  an  average  size  of  5  pound  in  the  lake 
and  rarely  exceeds  1^  pounds  in  weight.  One  12  inches  long 
weighed  1  lb.  1^  oz.,  and  one  10|  inches  long  weighed  9i  oz.     The 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         387 

greater  number  measured  were  10,  11  and  12  inches  long.  Most 
of  the  stomachs  examined  were  empty;  one  contained  many  flies. 

Like  the  bhiegill,  the  CaHco  Bass  dies  in  considerable  numbers 
in  the  spring. 

Head  3;  depth  2;  eye  4i ;  snout  4^ ;  D.  VII  or  VIII,  15;  A.  VI, 
17  or  18 ;  scales  6-40  to  45-15,  6  rows  on  the  cheek. 

Body  oblong,  elevated,  and  much  compressed ;  head  long,  its 
profile  not  so  strongly  double-curved  as  in  the  Crappie  proper,  the 
projection  of  the  snout  and  the  antedorsal  region  and  the  depres- 
sion over  the  eye  being  less  marked ;  mouth  smaller  than  in  the 
Crappie,  the  maxillary  reaching  about  to  the  posterior  edge  of 
pupil,  the  mandible  shorter  than  the  pectoral ;  fins  very  high,  anal 
higher  than  dorsal,  its  height  4  to  5  times  in  length  of  body. 

Color,  silvery-olive  mottled  with  clear  olive-green,  the  dark 
mottlings  gathered  in  small  irregular  bunches  and  covering  the 
whole  body ;  vertical  fins  with  dark  olive  vermiculations  surround- 
ing pale  spots ;  anal  marked  like  the  dorsal ;  dusky  opercular  spot. 

The  Calico  Bass  and  the  Crappie  resemble  each  other  very 
closely  and  are  not  always  differentiated  by  anglers  and  fishermen. 
They  are,  however,  perfectly  distinct  and  may  be  easily  distin- 
guished hj  means  of  the  number  of  dorsal  spines,  the  Crappie 
having  only  5  or  G  while  the  Calico  Bass  has  7  or  8.  The  diflfer- 
ences  in  coloration,  particularly  of  the  anal  fin,  is  also  an  important 
diagnostic  character. 

44.     ROCK  BASS 

AMBLOPLITES  RUPESTRIS   (Rafinesque) 

(Plates  22  and  23) 

The  Rock  Bass  is  one  of  our  best  known  and  most  familiar 
fishes.  Every  angler  in  the  upper  Mississippi  Valley  began  an 
intimate  acquaintance  with  it  during  his  boyhood  days  when  a 
water-beech  or  iron-wood  pole,  a  cotton  line,  a  limerick  hook  and 
a  can  of  fish-worms  were  all  the  outfit  the  boy  found  necessary  to 
insure  a  goodly  string  of  "red-eyes"  and  "pumpkinseeds".  From 
Vermont  to  Manitoba,  and  southward  west  of  the  Alleghenies  to 
Louisiana  and  Texas,  this  fish  is  found ;  "rock  bass"  in  the  north, 
"goggle-eye"  in  the  south,  and  "red-eye"  with  the  boys  wherever 
he  is  known.  This  fish  is  found  in  all  sorts  of  waters ;  it  is  abund- 
ant in  all  the  Great  Lakes  and  their  tributary  streams.  In  the 
small  lakes  of  the  upper  Mississippi  Valley  states  it  is  one  of  the 
most  common  species,  and  in  the  rivers,  creeks  and  smaller  streams 
it  is  equally  common.     It  prefers  clear,  cool  water  and  is  therefore 


388         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Siirvey 

not  so  abundant  in  sluggish  lowland  streams  and  bayous,  or  in 
the  shallow,  warmer  lakes. 

In  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  abundant  and  well  known.  People 
living  about  the  lake,  and  most  of  the  anglers  who  visit  it,  know 
this  fish  as  the  "goggle-eye"  or  "red-eye".  The  name  "rock  bass" 
is  not  so  often  heard  and  is  used  chiefly  by  those  who  speak  by  the 
book  or  who  are  from  further  north. 

As  a  game  fish  the  Rock  Bass  is,  in  most  places,  regarded  with 
considerable  favor,  though  at  this  lake  it  is  usually  regarded 
merely  as  a  good  fish  to  get  when  all  the  gamier  species  fail.  It 
is  a  fish  which  can  be  captured  at  almost  any  time  and  with  any 
sort  of  bait.  They  begin  biting  in  the  early  spring  as  soon  as  the 
ice  goes  ofi",  and  can  be  taken  at  any  time  until  the  ice  forms 
again;  indeed,  it  is  often  taken  through  the  ice.  Perhaps  August 
is  usually  one  of  the  best  months.  They  bit  phenomenally  in  the 
latter  part  of  April  and  the  first  half  of  May  in  1901.  In  1899,  not 
many  were  taken  in  July,  but  during  August  many  fine  catches 
were  made.  Any  one  who  cared  to  fish  for  redeyes  seldom  failed  to 
get  a  good  number.  In  1900,  perhaps  the  largest  catches  were 
made  in  August,  but  July  fishing  met  with  better  success  than  in 
the  previous  year. 

In  the  spring  of  1901,  from  about  April  28  to  the  middle  of 
May,  they  bit  almost  everywhere  in  shallow  water.  One  of  the 
favorite  places  was  off  the  Ice-houses,  and  here  a  considerable  num- 
ber of  men,  women  and  boys  congregated  with  long  cane  poles 
and  pulled  out  Rock  Bass  almost  continuously.  On  April  28,  7 
boys  who  had  been  fishing  only  a  little  time  had  79,  and  the  fish- 
ing continued  in  that  manner  for  some  time.  These  Rock  Bass 
also  bit  well  in  various  other  places  in  the  lake.  Two  men  camping 
near  Murray's  and  fishing  from  boats  got  considerable  numbers. 
A  favorite  fishing  place  for  them  was  the  rock  pile  off  Lakeview 
Hotel.  The  fishes  hid  among  the  crannies  in  the  rocks  and  bit 
eagerly  at  worms.  Most  of  those  got  here  were  rather  small.  A 
number  were  caught  on  set-lines  about  the  same  time. 

The  Rock  Bass  can  be  taken  on  any  kind  of  bait.  Perhaps 
the  most  attractive  baits  are  small  minnows,  w^hite  grubs  and 
angleworms,  all  of  which  are  best  used  in  still-fishing.  Grass- 
hoppers, pieces  of  mussel,  pieces  of  fish,  in  fact,  almost  any  ani- 
mal substance,  will  prove  effective.  Trolling  with  live  minnow, 
phantom  minnow  or  spoon  at  times  proves -very  successful,  and  they 
have  been  taken  on  the  artificial  fly  and  the  artificial  frog. 

It  is  a  voracious 'fish  and  will  bite  viciously  even  when  its  stom- 
ach is  filled  with  crawfishes  or  other  food. 


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Lake  Maxbikuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         389 

Though  not  one  of  the  greatest  of  game-fishes,  it  nevertheless 
holds  a  respectable  rank  in  that  category.  Its  manner  of  taking 
the  hook  is  full  of  energy,  and  the  fight  which  it  begins  has  in  it 
the  promise  of  better  things,  but  it  soon  wholly  or  partially  sub- 
sides and  does  not  renew  the  fight  until  brought  near  the  surface 
of  the  water,  w^hen  it  fights  very  prettily  until  landed. 

Using  light  tackle  and  casting  with  the  fly,  the  Rock  Bass  will 
afford  the  angler  a  great  deal  of  genuine  sport. 

It  can  be  taken  at  any  time  of  day,  and  there  are  records  of  some 
very  good  catches  made  late  at  night  and  others  early  in  the 
morning. 

Although  the  Rock  Bass  is  pretty  generally  distributed  through- 
out the  lake,  it  is  usually  found  in  greatest  numbers  about  the 
patches  of  Potamogeton  in  5  to  15  feet  of  water,  and  in  water  some- 
wiiat  more  shallow  than  the  bluegill  frequents.  In  our  seining 
operations  we  usually  found  young  Rock  Bass  in  considerable  num- 
bers. The  largest  number  taken  at  any  one  haul  was  38.  The 
great  majority  were  young-of-the-year,  and  were  found  in  greatest 
numbers  in  and  about  the  patches  of  Scirpus  and  Eleocharis  and 
also  among  the  depauperate  Chara  and  Naias  flexilis.  Young  Rock 
Bass  were  also  frequently  raked  up  in  winter  near  shore  among 
weeds. 

The  Rock  Bass  in  this  lake  reaches  a  length  of  about  12  or  13 
inches  and  a  weight  of  a  little  less  than  one  pound.  The  great 
majority  of  those  caught  weigh  |  pound  or  less;  occasionally  one 
of  2  of  a  pound  is  taken  and  still  more  rarely  one  weighing  14 
or  15  ounces.  The  following  are  the  measures  and  weights  of  in- 
dividuals taken  at  various  times:  11  inches,  13  oz. ;  10  inches, 
10^  oz. ;  8  in.  6^  oz. ;  8^  in.  8^  oz. ;  9  in.  8f  oz. ;  9|  in.  9i  oz. 

The  Rock  Bass  is  a  voracious  feeder,  and  may  usually  be  found 
pretty  well  gorged  with  crawfishes,  shells,  insect  larvje,  and  occa- 
sionally minnows.  Its  diet  dilTers  with  age  and  somewhat  with  the 
season. 

Small  examples  1.56  to  3.06  inches  long  raked  up  with 
Chara  near  the  Inlet  in  December,  1904,  nearly  all  contained  insect 
larvae.  During  the  spring  of  1901  the  chief  food  of  this,  as  well 
as  of  bluegills,  was  a  species  of  Asellus  which  was  very  abundant 
in  the  Chara  at  that  time.  Beetles,  minnows  and  a  few  leeches  and 
crawfishes  were  also  found  in  the  stomachs  examined  then.  Most 
of  the  large  ones  examined  during  the  summer  of  1906  contained 
crawfishes.  One  contained  a  mad  tom,  a  spine  of  which  had  pene- 
trated the  walls  of  the  stomach. 

The  Rock  Bass  is  afflicted  with  parasites,  perhaps  to  a  greater 


390         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

extent  than  any  other  species  of  this  lake.  Parasitic  Copepods 
were  abundant  on  the  gills.  Late  in  autumn  the  gills  were  fre- 
quently well  crowded  with  small  free-swimming  Copepods.  Disto- 
mids  and  Acanthocephali  were  frequently  found  in  the  stomachs, 
and  leeches  were  frequently  found  attached  in  the  axils  of  the 
fins. 

The  Rock  Bass  is  one  of  the  earliest  spawners.  They  begin 
about  the  middle  of  May  and  are  usually  done  by  June  15.  They 
come  out  into  shallow  water  and  make  the  nest  among  the  rushes, 
or  by  a  stick,  chunk,  stake,  rock  or  any  similar  object.  The  nest 
resembles  that  of  the  calico  bass,  being  made  in  clean  coarse  sand 
or  fine  gravel,  and  8  or  9  inches  in  diameter.  The  eggs  of  the 
rock  bass  are  about  the  size  of  small  shot,  and  are  very  numerous. 

The  young  Rock  Bass  is  a  quite  handsome  fish,  the  sides  being 
beautifully  mottled  and  clouded  with  irregular  patches  of  brown. 
As  it  grows  older  the  color  markings  become  dark  lines  along  the 
rows  of  scales  and  it  becomes  much  less  attractive. 

The  young  seem  to  grow  quite  rapidly.  Young  of  the  year 
taken  July  18,  average  1.15  inches  in  total  length. 

Cold  water  has  considerable  influence  in  benumbing  these  fishes. 
Some  large  examples  seen  in  shallow  water  near  shore  seemed  to 
have  lost  the  power  of  coordination ;  they  had  a  tendency  to  swim 
on  their  sides. 

As  to  the  edible  qualities  of  the  Rock  Bass,  not  much  can  be 
said  in  its  favor.  In  cold  running  streams  or  waters  where  better 
fish  are  not  common  it  will  pass  as  a  fairly  good  pan-fish,  but  in 
a  lake  like  Maxinkuckee  where  so  many  better  fish  are  found,  it 
is  not  held  in  high  esteem.  Its  flesh  is  white  and  flaky,  but  rather 
soft  and  insipid  and  sometimes  tastes  of  mud.  Next  to  the  war- 
mouth  it  is  the  poorest  of  the  food-fishes  of  this  lake. 

Head  2.75  in  length;  depth  2  to  2.5;  eye  3.5  to  4.5;  snout  4; 
maxillary  2.3;  D.  XI,  10;  A.  VI,  10;  scales  about  6-39-12,  6  to 
8  rows  on  cheek ;  gillrakers  7  to  10 ;  coeca  7 ;  vertebrje  14  + 18 ; 
body  oblong,  moderately  compressed;  head  large,  profile  in  adult 
somewhat  depressed  above  the  eyes;  mouth  large, 'the  maxillary 
reaching  middle  of  pupil ;  gillrakers  developed  only  on  lower  part 
of  arch;  preopercle  serrate  near  its  angle. 

Color,  olive-green,  conspicuously  tinged  with  brassy,  and  with 
much  dark  mottling;  the  young  irregularly  barred  and  blotched 
with  black  and  with  very  little  brassy,  the  adult  with  a  dark  spot 
on  each  scale,  these  f oi-ming  interrupted  black  stripes ;  a  black 
opercular  spot ;  dark  mottlings  on  the  soft  dorsal,  caudal  and  anal ; 
eye  more  or  less  red. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         391 

The  following  are  life  color  notes  made  on  an  example  8  inches 
long,  caught  at  the  Weedpatch  September  12,  1907 : 

Back  light  olive  mottled  with  darker;  side  olivaceous  above, 
more  brassy  below,  the  olive  of  middle  of  side  in  9  broken  bars; 
belly  white,  dusted  with  brassy;  breast  and  under  part  of  head 
finely  speckled  with  dusky ;  opercle  dark ;  side  of  head  brassy  with 
a  darker  bar  downward  from  eye;  dorsal,  anal  and  caudal  oliva- 
ceous yellow,  the  dorsal  and  anal  spotted  with  darker ;  ventral  pale 
lemon,  the  tip  of  the  first  ray  and  all  of  last  ray  white;  pectoral 
pale  lemon. 

45.     WARMOUTH 

CH^NOBRYTTUS    GULOSUS    (Cuvicr    &    Valenciennes) 

(Plate  24a) 

The  Warmouth  is  found  throughout  the  eastern  United  States 
in  suitable  waters,  chiefly  west  and  south  of  the  Alleghenies,  from 
the  Great  Lakes,  Iowa  and  Kansas,  south  to  Florida  and  Texas.  It 
is  a  fish  of  the  warmer,  shallower  lakes,  and  the  sluggish  lowland 
streams,  ponds  and  bayous.  In  the  small  shallow  lakes  with  mud 
bottom  and  abundant  vegetation,  particularly  among  the  spatter- 
dock,  Potamogetons  and  lily-pads,  the  Warmouth  abounds.  We 
know  it  from  lakes  such  as  those  in  northern  Indiana,  Illinois  and 
Iowa,  southward  in  the  overflow  ponds  along  the  lower  Wabash, 
Ohio  and  Mississippi,  to  the  bayous  and  shallow  lakes  of  Missis- 
sippi, Louisiana  and  Texas.  It  is  not  a  common  fish  in  Lake  Max- 
inkuckee ;  this  lake  is  too  clean  and  there  is  not  enough  mud  bottom. 

In  seining  entirely  around  the  lake  between  July  4  and  July 
27,  293  hauls  were  made,  in  only  3  of  which  were  Warmouth  taken. 
One  of  these  was  in  the  Outlet  just  above  the  railroad  bridge  where 
6  were  gotten.  The  other  two  hauls  were  between  the  Outlet  and 
the  Ice-houses,  and  only  one  Warmouth  was  gotten  in  each.  A  few 
were  seined  in  Culver  Inlet.  Occasionally  one  is  caught  on  a  hook, 
but  not  often.  Two  or  3  were  caught  in  the  summer  among  the 
Potamogetons  oft"  the  Gravelpit  and  2  or  3  in  Outlet  Bay ;  and  each 
winter  a  few  are  taken  through  the  ice  at  these  2  places,  minnows 
being  the  bait  used.  We  have  a  record  of  only  6  or  8  so  taken  in 
the  winter  of  1899-1900.  Although  the  Warmouth  is  uncommon 
in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  rather  abundant  in  Lost  Lake,  into  which 
Lake  Maxinkuckee  empties.  It  is  particularly  abundant  in  the 
channel  connecting  the  two  lakes  where  from  one  to  10  were 
caught  at  each  haul  with  a  15-foot  seine.  It  loves  to  bask  in  the 
dense  weeds  along  the  edge  of  the  lake,  and  it  can  be  sometimes 
raked  out  in  a  bunch  of  tangled  vegetation. 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         393 

This  fish  is  not  well-known  to  many  of  the  anglers  who  come 
to  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  Only  those  who  wet  a  line  occasionally  in 
Lost  Lake  or  who  fish  through  the  ice  there  are  apt  to  know  much 
about  it.  Knowledge  of  it  is  therefore  practically  limited  to  the 
local  fishermen  who  call  it  "Lidian  Fish"  or  "Mud  Bass". 

Its  game  qualities  are  not  unlike  those  of  the  rock  bass.  It  is 
most  easily  taken  with  a  live  minnow  and  it  bites  with  considerable 
energy.     It  fights  vigorously,  after  the  manner  of  the  rock  bass. 

As  a  food-fish  the  Warmouth  is  inferior  even  to  the  rock  bass, 
though  when  caught  in  the  winter  its  flesh  is  firm  and  sweet  and 
entirely  devoid  of  the  flavor  of  mud  which  it  may  possess  in  sum- 
mer. If  it  could  be  kept  in  clear,  cold  water  its  flesh  would  doubt- 
less lose  all  its  objectionable  qualities. 

The  Warmouth,  with  its  rich  coppery  color,  is  easily  distin- 
guished from  the  other  fishes  of  the  lake.  It  resembles  the  rock 
bass  more  than  any  other  fish  of  the  lake,  and  can  be  distinguished 
by  the  following  description : 

Head  2i  to  2| ;  depth  2  to  2\ ;  eye  4  to  4i ;  snout  4  to  4^ ;  D.  X, 
9  or  10  ;  A.  Ill,  8  or  9 ;  scales  6-40  tcf  46-11  or  12,  about  40  pores,  and 
6  to  8  rows  on  cheek;  gillrakers  8  or  9  besides  rudiments.  Body 
shaped  very  much  as  in  the  rock  bass ;  head  and  mouth  large, 
maxillary  reaching  posterior  edge  of  orbit ;  opercular  spot  about  as 
large  as  eye;  dorsal  spines  low,  the  longest  equal  to  distance  from 
tip  of  snout  to  middle  of  eye;  pectoral  not  reaching  anal  fin;  ven- 
trals  reaching  anus. 

Color,  dark  olive-green,  or  sometimes  rich  brick-red  and  brassy, 
clouded  with  darker,  usually  with  red,  blue  and  brassy;  a  dusky 
spot  on  each  scale;  ventral  fins  mottled  with  dusky;  a  faint  spot 
on  last  rays  of  dorsal  bordered  by  paler;  3  oblique  dusky  or  red- 
dish bars  radiating  from  eye;  belly  yellowish  or  brassy.  Length 
8  to  10  inches. 

46.     BLUE-SPOTTED   SUNFISH;    GREEN   SUNFISH 

APOMOTIS  CYANELLUS    (Rafinesquc) 

(Plate  24) 

This  beautiful  little  sunfish  is  found  wholly  west  of  the  Alle- 
ghenies  and  from  the  Great  Lakes  to  Mexico;  it  is  usually  abund- 
ant in  all  suitable  waters  from  central  Ohio  and  Indiana  to  the 
Rio  Grande.  It  is  not  often  found  in  lakes  or  large  streams  but 
in  the  smaller  streams,  brooks  and  ponds  it  is  an  abundant  and 
well-known  little  fish. 

It  is  very  rare  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  and  the  statement  by 


394         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Evermann  and  Jenkins  in  "Notes  on  Indiana  fishes"*  that  it  is 
"very  common"  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  appears  to  be  no  longer  the 
case;  only  a  few  individuals  were  obtained  in  the  two  seasons  de- 
voted to  the  study  of  that  lake,  and  not  exceeding  6  or  8  were 
seen  in  Lost  Lake.  It  is  probably  the  rarest  member  of  the  fam- 
ily in  these  waters.  On  September  11,  1906,  two  examples,  each 
about  2,5  inches  long  were  seined  in  the  Outlet  of  Lost  Lake  near 
the  old  mill-site.  These  are  the  only  specimens  recently  obtained 
by  us. 

The  Blue-spotted  Sunfish  does  not  attain  a  greater  length  than 
6  or  8  inches  and  a  weight  of  4  or  5  ounces,  but  it  is  a  sprightly 
little  fish  and  excellent  for  the  pan.  Like  the  pumpkin-seed,  it  is, 
where  common,  a  favorite  with  the  small  boy.  It  takes  readily  a 
hook  baited  with  grub  or  angleworm,  and  would  make  a  vicious 
fight  for  liberty  if  it  were  only  larger. 

A  specimen  at  hand  from  Bruce  Lake  is  quite  difi'erent  from 
the  specimens  of  Lepomis  and  Eupomotis  in  the  collection.  It  is 
characterized  by  the  large  number  of  scales,  the  large  number  of 
rows  of  scales  on  the  cheek,  the  low  fins  and  a  conspicuous  black 
spot  on  the  posterior  base  of  the  dorsal  and  anal  fins. 

Head  3;  depth  2i;  D.  X,  11;  A.  Ill,  9;  scales  small,  6  or  7-45 
to  55-16,  40  to  48  pores,  8  rows  on  cheek;  gillrakers  moderate, 
X  -]-  13.  Body  rather  elongate,  moderately  compressed,  becoming 
stouter  with  age;  head  large,  the  snout  projecting;  mouth  quite 
large,  maxillary  broad  and  flat,  reaching  middle  of  eye;  a  small 
supplemental  maxillary  above;  lower  jaw  projecting;  dorsal  spines 
quite  low ;  pectoral  short,  not  reaching  anal,  1^  in  head ;  ventrals 
not  reaching  vent. 

Color  variable,  the  pi'evailing  shade  green,  with  strong  brassy 
luster  on  sides  which  becomes  nearly  yellow  below;  each  scale 
usually  with  a  sky-blue  spot  and  more  or  less  of  gilt  edging,  form-" 
ing  pale  lateral  streaks,  dusky  or  obscure  vertical  bars  often  pre- 
sent and  the  sides  sprinkled  with  dark  dots ;  vertical  fins  marked 
with  blue  or  green,  the  anal  edged  with  pale  orange  in  front ; 
usually  a  conspicuous  black  spot  on  posterior  base  of  dorsal  and 
anal  fins,  these  often  obsolete ;  iris  red ;  cheek  with  narrow  blue 
stripes;  opercular  spot  smaller  than  eye,  broadly  margined  with 
bronze,  the  black  confined  to  the  hard  or  bony  part  of  the  opercle, 
a  character  which  readily  distinguishes  this  from  all  other  species 
of  sunfishes. 


*  Proc.  U.   S.  N.   M.   XI,   55. 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         395 

47.     LONG-EARED  SUNFISH 

LEPOMIS  MEGALOTIS    (Rafinesquc) 

This  is  another  of  the  small  sunfishes  that  abound  in  all  suit- 
able waters  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  and  southwestward.  From 
Minnesota  and  northern  Ohio  it  ranges  southward  to  Florida, 
Arkansas  and  Texas. 

It  is  subject  to  great  variation  and  has  been  described  as  new 
no  fewer  than  14  times.  Although  it  occurs  in  lakes  and  large 
streams,  it  most  delights  in  the  smaller  creeks  and  brooks.  In 
Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  more  common  than  the  blue-spotted  sunfish, 
but  it  is  not  by  any  means  abundant,  only  a  few  examples  having 
been  obtained  by  us.  In  Lost  Lake,  however,  it  is  more  numerous 
and  was  frequently  taken  in  the  seine. 


^'^mMw^m 


'Of^^^m 


Long-eared  Sunfish    {Lcpomis   incgalotis) 


In  these  waters  it  does  not  seem  to  reach  a  greater  length  than 
5  or  6  inches  and  a  weight  of  2  or  3  ounces.  It  is,  however,  a 
sweet  pan-fish,  and  in  game  qualities  it  is  not  particularly^  different 
from  the  green-spotted  sunfish  and  the  pumpkin-seed. 

Head  3  (without  flap)  ;  depth  about  2,  varying  with  age;  eye 
3^  to  4;  D.  X,  10  to  12;  A.  Ill,  8  to  10;  scales  5-36  to  45-14,  31 
to  40  pores,  about  5  rows  on  cheek;  gillrakers  X  -|-  8  or  9 ;  pectoral 
l.l  to  1.1  in  head.  Body  short,  deep,  and  compressed,  the  back  very 
strongly  arched  in  the  adult,  the  profile  steep,  usually  forming  an 
angle  above  the  eyes;  mouth  small  and  oblique,  the  premaxillary 
rather  below  the  eye,  the  maxillary  reaching  middle  of  eye;  gill- 


396         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

rakers  very  short  and  soft,  weaker  than  in  any  other  species; 
dorsal  spines  very  low,  the  longest  little  longer  than  snout,  3  in 
head;  opercular  flap  in  the  adult  very  long  and  broad,  with  a  broad 
or  narrow  pale  blue  or  red  margin,  the  flap  half  or  more  longer 
than  the  eye  in  the  adult,  much  shorter  in  the  young,  its  develop- 
ment subject  to  much  variation. 

Color,  brilliant  blue  and  orange,  the  back  chiefly  bluish;  belly 
entirely  orange,  the  orange  on  the  sides  in  spots,  the  blue  in  wavy, 
vertical  streaks ;  lips  blue ;  cheek  orange,  with  bright  blue  stripes ; 
blue  stripes  before  eye;  soft  parts  of  vertical  fins  with  the  rays 
blue  and  the  membranes  orange ;  ventrals  dusky ;  iris  red. 

One  of  our  most  brightly  colored  freshwater  fishes ;  extremely 
variable,  the  young  often  elliptical  in  form,  and  the  size  at  which 
the  characteristic  ear-flap  is  developed  varies  greatly  with  differ- 
ent individuals. 

As  compared  with  the  other  sunfishes  of  the  lake,  most  of  our 
specimens  are  characterized  by  having  the  ventral  fins  very  dark, 
almost  black,  and,  although  this  feature  is  probably  not  enough 
to  identify  them  with  certainty,  it  is  very  helpful  in  making  up  a 
preliminary  assortment  of  species. 

48.     BLUEGILL 

"LEPOMIS    PALLIDUS    (Mitchill) 

(Plates  25  and  26) 

The  Bluegill  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  and  widely  distributed 
of  the  sunfishes.  It  is  known  from  the  Great  Lakes  southw^ard 
throughout  the  Mississippi  Valley  and  to  Florida  and  the  Rio 
Grande.  It  is  found  in  N.ew  York  and  Pennsylvania,  the  Caro- 
linas,  and  west  to  Minnesota  and  Kansas.  It  occurs  in  quiet 
streams,  but  is,  above  all,  the  sunfish  of  the  lakes,  whether  large 
or  small,  though  it  is  decidedly  more  abundant  in  the  smaller  ones. 
It  is  very  common  in  all  the  lakes  of  northern  Indiana  and  of  all 
the  food  fishes  found  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  it  is,  next  to  the  yel- 
low perch,  certainly  the  most  abundant  species. 

In  our  seining  operations  along  the  shores  we  found  it  exceed- 
ingly abundant.  In  seining  around  the  lake  in  July  and  August 
we  sometimes  used  a  45-foot  seine,  but  usually  a  25-foot  one,  and 
occasionally  one  only  15  feet  long.  In  covering  the  entire  peri- 
meter of  the  lake  the  seine  was  hauled  about  612  times,  and  the 
Bluegill  was  the  most  abundant  species  caught.  The  total  num- 
ber caught  exceeded  12,000.  Occasionally  a  haul  would  be  made 
without  taking  any  bluegills  but  usually  there  were  from  a  few  up 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         397 

to  many  in  each  haul ;  several  hauls  contained  several  hundred  each, 
the  largest  number  being  419.  Most  of  those  caught  in  this  way 
were  1  or  2  years  old;  not  many  young-of-the-year  were  taken 
and  not  many  adults.  A  good  many  3  years  old  were  taken,  but 
by  far  the  most  abundant  were  those  1  and  2  years  old.  It  is 
scarcely  necessary  to  state  that  only  a  few  of  these  fish  were  re- 
tained for  specimens  and  that  practically  the  entire  catch  was  in- 
variably returned  to  the  lake. 

The  young-of-the-year  are  found  in  great  abundance  in  shallow 
water  near  shore  but,  except  when  the  smallest  seine  was  used, 
they  would  pass  through  the  meshes  and  we  were  thus  unable  to  de- 
termine their  number. 

In  Lost  Lake  the  Bhiegill  seems  equally  abundant.  More  than 
2,000  were  caught  in  100  hauls  with  a  25-foot  seine.  At  Lake 
Maxinkuckee  this  fish  is  known  almost  exclusively  as  the  "Blue- 
gill";  Blue  Bream,  Blue  Sunfish,  Copper-nosed  Bream,  Dollardee, 
and  the  various  other  vernacular  names  by  which  it  is  known  in 
other  localities  are  never  heard  there. 

In  this  lake  the  bluegills  spawn  during  the  last  half  of  June, 
their  spawning  beds  being  usually  located  on  shallow  bars  where 
the  water  is  4  to  8  feet  deep.  They  clean  off  the  rubbish  from  a 
circular  area  6  inches  to  a  foot  in  diameter  and,  like  the  pumpkin- 
seed,  will  defend  the  nest  with  much  bravery. 

The  Bluegill  is  the  "gamest  fish  for  its  weight  in  the  lake", 
so  says  one  of  the  most  observant  and  successful  of  the  anglers 
who  come  to  Maxinkuckee ;  and  not  many  who  have  had  experience 
with  the  large  individuals  in  the  clear,  cold  waters  of  this  lake  will 
be  disposed  to  question  the  estimate. 

In  the  first  place,  the  bluegills  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee  are  un- 
usually large;  they  reach  a  length  of  12  to  14  inches,  a  weight  of 
a  pound,  and  are  broader  than  one's  hand.  Even  their  average 
size  at  this  lake  is  from  a  half  to  three-quarters  of  a  pound,  while 
in  Bass  Lake,  10  miles  west  of  Maxinkuckee,  they  do  not  average 
more  than  2  or  3  ounces.  Then  the  water  of  Maxinkuckee  seems 
conducive  to  a  high  development  of  game  qualities,  not  only  in 
the  Bluegill,  but  in  all  other  fishes — the  temperature,  clearness, 
depth,  and  quality  and  quantity  of  food  all  seem  most  favorable. 

This  fish  can  be  taken  at  any  time  in  the  year.  Excellent 
catches  can  be  made  early  in  the  spring,  but  during  July  and 
August  the  largest  catches  are  probably  made,  it  being  no  unusual 
occurrence  in  those  months  for  two  men  in  one  boat  to  take  75  to 
100  pounds  in  an  afternoon.  It  bites  well  during  the  entire  fall, 
also,  though  it  is  not  fished  for  so  assiduously  after  grasshoppers 


Plate  25 


BLUEGILL   SUNI1.-.H     \i.>i>omis  palliflns! 


■ygtu^^sf^m^i^^m^ffi^^-'^im- 


RED-EARED  SUNFISH    {Eupomotis  heros) 
These   photographs   were   taken    from   life   at    Lake   Maxinkuckee  by   A.   Radcliffe   DuKmore  for   Jordan   and   Ever- 
mann's   "American  Food  and  Game   Fishes,"   published  by  Doubleday,   Page  and   Company. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         399 

begin  to  fail.  And  in  the  winter  time  the  Bkiegill  is  taken  in  con- 
siderable numbers  fishing  through  the  ice. 

The  Bluegill  can  be  taken  with  almost  any  kind  of  lure.  Angle- 
worms are  probably  the  best,  though  grasshoppers  are  nearly  as 
good.  White  grubs,  small  minnows  and  pieces  of  fish  or  clam  are 
all  good.  The  senior  author  has  taken  it  also  on  small  craw- 
fish, with  the  fiy,  on  the  trolling  spoon  and  with  a  small  buck-tail. 

It  may  be  taken  either  by  still-fishing  or  by  trolling.  The  most 
popular  method  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  seems  to  be  to  fish  from  an 
anchored  boat,  using  two  long  cane  poles  projecting  over  the  stern 
at  a  divergent  angle.  A  cork  or  fioat  is  placed  upon  each  line,  its 
position  being  determined  by  the  depth  of  water,  the  hook  being 
made  to  hang  about  a  foot  above  the  bottom.  More  expert  or 
skilled  anglers  will  use  a  rod  and  reel  but  will  probably  not  catch 
any  more  fish. 

The  Bluegill  can  be  caught  in  various  places,  as  from  the  piers 
and  elsewhere  in  shallow  water  near  shore,  from  in  and  about  the 
bulrush  patches  in  water  2  to  5  feet  deep,  from  the  Vallisneria 
beds,  or  from  the  tops  and  slopes  of  the  deeper  bars  where  the 
various  species  of  Potamogeton  abound.  Probably  the  best  places 
are  on  the  edges  of  bars  where  there  are  good  growths  of  Pota- 
mogeton amplifolius.  The  most  noted  place  in  the  lake  for  blue- 
gills  is  the  well-known  "Weedpatch".  Other  good  places  are  in 
the  Potamogeton  patches  off  the  Gravelpit,  off  the  Ice-houses, 
and  at  the  Sugarloaf. 

The  Bluegill  is  a  dainty  biter,  taking  the  hook  slowly  and  de- 
liberately, sucking  it  in  rather  than  biting  it.  Not  until  after  the 
bait  has  been  sucked  in  and  the  fish  starts  away  with  it  is  the 
angler  aware  of  what  is  going  on ;  but  when  once  securely  hooked 
then  the  fight  really  begins,  to  continue  without  cessation  or  abate- 
ment of  energy  until  the  fish  is  landed.  The  Bluegill  rarely  jumps 
out  of  the  water  as  does  the  black  bass,  but  by  turning  his  side 
toward  the  angler  he  is  able  to  offer  a  resistance  which  makes  the 
sport  very  fascinating. 

Excepting  the  yellow  perch,  there  is  no  other  species  in  the  lake 
which  is  equal  to  the  Bluegill  as  a  pan-fish.  The  flesh  is  firm  and 
flaky  and  possesses  a  flavor  of  which  one  does  not  soon  tire,  and 
the  size  of  the  fish  is  the  ideal  one  for  a  pan-fish. 

As  to  feeding  habits,  the  Bluegill  appears  to  be  by  all  means 
the  most  omnivorous  fish  of  the  lake.  Its  dietary  never  offers  in- 
deed such  a  violent  juxtaposition  of  unrelated  materials  as  ex- 
hibited by  the  shark,  bowfin  or  goat;  and  does  not  so  much  re- 
mind one  of  a  world's  museum  or  valley  of  Hinnom  as  a  biological 

26—17618 


400         Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Siirvey 

epitome  of  the  lake.  One  is  not  likely  to  find  as  great  an  assort- 
ment of  food  articles  in  its  stomach  as  in  a  shark's ;  but  there  is 
to  be  fomid  in  its  stomach  at  various  times  bits  of  almost  every- 
thing found  in  the  lake.  Morover,  it  is  not  generally  in  the  habit 
of  mixing  its  food,  but  generally  feeds  chiefly  on  one  thing  now 
and  another  at  another  time.  It  is  choicy,  indeed,  after  a  fashion 
as  to  the  quality  of  its  food,  insisting  that  what  it  eats  be  fresh 
and  wholesome,  but  cheerfully  eating  whatever  is  set  before  it  and 
asking  no  questions  for  conscience  sake.  This  suggests  that  it 
would  be  as  easy  fish  to  rear,  not  easy  in  the  sense  that  it  would 
thrive  in  any  place  planted,  but  so  far  as  food  is  concerned  it 
would  thrive  in  small,  well-kept  ponds,  not  demanding  wide  range 
or  special  crops  of  food. 

A  large  number  of  stomachs  were  examined ;  more,  probably 
than  of  all  the  other  species  of  the  lake  put  together,  and  the  re- 
cital of  the  contents  of  dift'erent  individuals  one  by  one,  while  valu- 
able as  a  matter  of  record,  would  be  tedious  reading.  It  will 
suffice  to  say  here  that  the  food  of  younger  individuals  appears  to 
be  mainly  of  an  animal  nature,  consisting  of  various  entomostraca, 
such  as  Cypris,  waterfleas,  Cyclops,  Bosmina  and  various  insect 
larvse.  The  adult  fishes  eat  also  various  mollusks,  such  as  Physa 
and  operculate  mollusks,  Sphaerium  and  Pisidium.  Among  other 
occasional  elements  of  their  food  are  water  mites,  beetles  and 
caddis  cases  with  the  larvae.  During  the  spring  of  1901,  they, 
along  with  the  other  sunfishes,  seemed  to  feed  almost  exclusively  on 
the  common  isopod  of  the  lake,  Asellus.  On  August  12,  1906,  the 
stomachs  of  21  specimens  examined  were  all  gorged  with  the  tender 
tips  of  weeds,  either  one  of  the  narrow-leaved  Potamogetons  or 
Heteranthera ;  they  seemed  to  be  wholly  vegetarians  at  the  time. 
Strangely  enough,  and  much  to  the  Bluegill's  credit,  we  do  not  find 
among  our  records  oi  the  numerous  stomachs  examined,  mention 
of  a  single  fish. 

So  far  as  our  examinations  go,  the  Bluegill  is  quite  free  from 
animal  parasites;  its  freedom'  from  intestinal  parasites  is  prob- 
ably due  in  part  to  its  abstinence  from  eating  other  fishes ;  carni- 
vorous fishes  in  general  appear  to  be  more  subject  to  such  aff'ec- 
tions  than  others. 

In  spite  of  these  advantages,  however,  the  Bluegill  is  one  of  the 
most  delicate  fishes  of  the  lake  and  succumbs  quickly  to  various 
maladies.  During  the  winter  of  1900-1901,  these  fishes  massed 
in  immense  numbers  in  Culver  Inlet  and  most  of  the  winter  through 
could  be  seen  packing  that  stream  almost  as  close  as  they  could 
be  crowded.     The  reason  of  their  crowding  into  this  particular 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         401 

spot  was  in  all  probability  because  of  the  warmer  temperature  of 
the  water  there.  For  some  reason,  partly  perhaps  because  of  sub- 
aqueous springs,  and  possibly  because  of  exhaust  pipes  from  the 
heating  plant  of  the  Military  Academy,  the  water  there  was  always 
several  degrees  warmer  than  that  of  the  lake,  and  did  not  freeze 
at  all. 

It  is  barely  possible  that  the  bluegills  which  crowded  into  this 
inlet  were  unhealthy  individuals,  and  had  chosen  the  warmer 
waters  out  of  a  general  sensation  of  discomfort  or  exceptional  sen- 
sitiveness to  cold ;  it  was  noted  that  all  about  the  edge  of  the  lake 
where  springs  ran  in  and  raised  the  temperature  of  the  water, 
that  fishes  which  usually  appeared  more  or  less  sick  crowded 
about ;  at  any  rate,  Saprolegnia  soon  broke  out  among  the  crowded 
fishes  and  in  a  short  time  wrought  great  havoc,  and  before  long, 
fishes  could  be  found  dead  and  in  all  stages  of  disease.  The  fungus 
attacked  especially  the  tail  and  eyes. 

Even  healthy  bluegills  exhibit  in  a  marked  degree  the  paralyz- 
ing influence  of  cold  water.  While  cold  water  appears  to  benumb 
all  fishes  more  or  less,  the  greater  number  are  able  to  swim  away 
with  reasonable  speed  when  frightened.  On  December  21,  1904, 
some  bluegills,  as  fine  and  large  as  are  usually  seen  at  the  lake,  were 
observed  through  the  thin  ice  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  Some  simply 
stuck  their  heads  down  into  the  Chara  and  tried  to  hide ;  others 
tried  to  dart  away,  but  appeared  very  numb,  and  moved  with  diffi- 
culty. If  chased  they  soon  tired,  often  showing  their  sides  upward, 
and  one  soon  lay  down  on  its  side  and  refused  to  move,  although 
attempts  of  all  sorts  to  frighten  it  were  made  on  the  ice  above. 

During  the  early  spring  the  young  bluegills  of  the  year  before, 
flock  in  rather  large  schools  along  shore.  From  April  26  to  I\Iay 
18  they  were  seen  almost  every  day.  The  young  frequently  hide 
among  Chara  and  weeds  near  shore  in  shallow  water  during  the 
winter,  and  are  among  the  most  common  fishes  raked  up  with 
weeds  through  the  ice. 

The  Bluegill  affords  perhaps  more  sport  and  food  to  resident 
anglers  about  the  lake  than  any  other  species.  It  bites  all  the  year 
round,  and  is  sometimes  even  taken  on  the  set-line.  One  of  the 
best  times  to  fish  for  it  is  during  the  early  spring,  when  large 
catches  can  be  made  fishing  from  piers  with  the  ordinary  bamboo 
pole  and  cork  bob.  The  crowd  of  anglers  who  lined  the  shore  by 
the  Ice-houses  from  about  the  middle  to  the  end  of  April,  1901,  got 
goodly  numbers  of  these  fishes.  On  April  16,  one  fisherman  caught 
54;  on  April  18,  another  got  23.  In  general,  catches  of  from  25 
to  40  in  a  day  or  less  seemed  rather  common  about  this  time. 


402         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Later  in  the  season  they  were  generally  caught  from  boats  and  fre- 
quently bit  freely.  About  the  end  of  August,  1903,  one  fisherman 
made  a  catch  of  85,  on  worms.  The  next  two  days  2  men  caught 
56,  and  a  few  days  after,  they  caught  42  in  one  day.  Quite  good 
catches  were  made  late  in  September,  1906. 

In  addition  to  the  Saprolegnia,  there  is  a  periodical  occurrence 
every  spring  of  some  sort  of  malady  which  causes  great  mortality 
among  this  species.  In  the  spring  of  1901,  this  contagion  broke 
out  about  May  19  and  20,  when  16  of  these  fishes  were  found  dead 
along  shore  between  Knapp's  and  Farrar's.  On  May  24,  26  ex- 
amples, all  of  good  size,  were  found  dead  on  the  shore  of  Outlet  Bay. 
On  May  31,  40  large  ones  were  found  dead  in  a  little  strip  on  the 
southwest  shore  of  the  lake.  On  June  4,  34  of  good  size  were 
found  between  the  Fish  Commission  pier  and  Long  Point,  and  on 
June  5,  73  dead  ones  were  found  on  the  north  side  of  the  lake  be- 
tween the  old  Vandalia  pumping  station  and  Lakeview  Hotel.  No 
certain  cause  could  be  discovered  that  would  explain  the  deaths. 
The  smaller  fishes  seemed  exempt.  There  was  a  general  impres- 
sion among  the  dwellers  about  the  lake  that  it  was  due  to  gorging 
on  the  great  number  of  May-flies  which  appeared  about  that  time. 

The  bluegills  begin  nesting  early  in  June.  Several  nesting 
fishes  were  found  in  Lost  Lake  June  8,  and  they  were  quite  dark  in 
color.  Their  dark  coloration  may  have  been  due  to  an  abundance 
of  pigment  characteristic  of  the  mating  season,  or  to  the  dark 
waters  of  the  lake ;  fishes  of  Lost  Lake  usually  being  considerably 
darker  than  those  of  the  same  species  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee. 

The  nests  were  very  close  together,  the  rims  nearly  touching, 
and  were  found  in  black  bottom  in  shallow  water  (4  or  5  feet)  in 
rushes  southwest  of  the  Bardsley  cottage.  They  were  shallow, 
bowl-shaped  depressions  about  a  foot  in  diameter.  They  usually 
contained  several  small  gasteropod  shells  and  often  a  larger  mussel 
shell,  in  the  bottom.  They  were  quite  conspicuous.  On  June  12, 
four  days  after  the  nests  were  first  observed,  a  visit  was  paid  to  the 
nests.  The  boat  was  anchored  over  a  particularly  large  fine  nest. 
The  fish  were  very  shy  and  on  the  first  approach  of  the  boat  left 
in  numbers.  After  some  time  they  returned.  The  nest  over  which 
the  boat  was  anchored  contained  a  very  large  dark  mass  full  of 
moving  lively  bright  points — the  eggs  well  advanced  toward  hatch- 
ing. The  parent  Bluegill,  a  large  fine  one,  came  and  stayed  on 
the  nest,  moving  its  tail  and  fins.  It  would  make  dashes  at  and 
chase  away  the  other  bluegills  which  seemed  to  have  nothing  to  do 
but  visit ;  they  seemed  inquisitive.     No  such  dark  mass  was  found 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         403 

in  any  other  nest,  and  it  was  thought  that  they  were  empty  or 
deserted.  A  closer  investigation  revealed  a  sort  of  granular  bot- 
tom, consisting  of  the  eggs  covered  over  by  some  silt  raised  by 
the  current  caused  by  the  parent's  fanning.  On  account  of  their 
being  covered  with  silt  the  eggs  were  very  inconspicuous.  There 
was  a  constant  restless  watchfulness  on  the  part  of  the  parent  fish. 
The  bluegills  did  not  look  much  worn  by  the  labor  of  nest  building, 
though  some  of  the  caudal  fins  were  frayed.  Eupomotus  gibbosus 
nested  with  the  bluegills,  and  elsewhere  by  itself  nearer  shore. 

On  June  15,  several  bluegills  about  10  inches  in  length  greatly 
distended  with  roe,  washed  up  dead  in  front  of  the  Fish  Commis- 
sion cottage.  The  eggs  had  a  higher  specific  gravity  than  water, 
were  very  numerous,  clear  in  color,  and  21  to  the  inch. 

The  Bluegill  apparently  bites  while  guarding  the  eggs  and 
young,  and  can  be  caught  off"  the  nest.  This  matter  however  re- 
quires further  investigation. 

Head  about  3^,  without  flap ;  depth  2  to  2] ;  eye  4  in  head  with- 
out flap;  snout  4;  maxillary  3i  ;  D.  X,  11  or  12;  A.  Ill,  10  to  12; 
scales  7-46-14,  about  44  pores,  5  rows  on  cheek. 

Body  short,  deep  and  compressed,  the  young  slender,  the  adult 
more  nearly  orbicular;  caudal  peduncle  rather  slender,  its  least 
depth  2  in  head;  head  not  large,  the  projecting  snout  usually  form- 
ing an  angle  above  the  eye;  mouth  quite  small,  oblique,  the  jaws 
about  equal,  maxillary  not  reaching  eye ;  gillrakers  moderately  long, 
nearly  round,  bent  slightly  downward ;  dorsal  spines  strong  and 
high,  the  longest  about  half  head,  usually  longer  than  snout  and 
eye;  ventral  fins  reaching  origin  of  anal;  pectorals  pointed,  longer 
than  head,  reaching  origin  of  anal ;  opercular  flaps  very  short  in 
the  young,  rather  long  and  broad  in  the  adult. 

Color,  rich  greenish-olive  on  back,  becoming  paler  on  sides ; 
belly  sometimes  coppery  or  brassy ;  top  of  head  dark  greenish ; 
opercle  and  cheek  bluish ;  opercular  flap  rich  velvety  black,  without 
pale  border,  a  small  whitish  spot  near  its  base  above;  side  some- 
times with  3  or  4  more  or  less  distinct  broad  darker  greenish 
crossbars ;  fins  all  greenish,  the  pectoral  palest,  reddish  at  base ; 
a  large  dark  blotch  near  base  of  last  rays  of  dorsal,  and  usually 
a  similar  blotch  on  anal ;  anal  membranes  darkish,  a  slight  rosy 
wash  along  base  of  fin. 


404         Lake  Maxifikuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

49.     RED-EARED  SUNFISH 

EUPOMOTIS   HEROS    (Baird   &   Girard) 

(Plate  25) 

The  Red-eared  Sunfish  is  found  from  northern  Indiana  to  Flor- 
ida and  the  Rio  Grande,  It  is  an  inhabitant  of  lowland  streams 
and  ponds.  Although  usually  regarded  as  rare,  it  is  not  especially 
uncommon  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  Among  the  fishermen  in  gen- 
eral it  is  probably  confused  with  the  other  sunfishes,  although  one 
of  the  fishermen  of  the  lake  pointed  one  out  as  "Green  Sunfish"  a 
name  generally  applied  to  Apomotis  cyanellus  where  that  species 
is  well  known.  During  the  seining  operations  about  the  lake,  in 
the  612  hauls,  75  specimens  were  taken,  the  maximum  number 
in  1  haul  being  8.  Specimens  were  taken  in  29  of  the  hauls.  The 
shortest  specimen  obtained  was  2.25  inches  long,  from  which  they 
varied  in  length  to  about  10  inches. 

The  habits  of  this  species  do  not  difi'er  greatly  from  those  of 
other  members  of  the  genus.  Its  food  consists  of  worms,  larvse, 
small  crustaceans,  small  mollusks  and  the  like.  Its  parasitic  ene- 
mies do  not  appear  to  be  many.  Only  one  example  was  examined 
with  parasites ;  these  were  found  in  the  region  of  the  vent  and 
resembled  Gordius. 

The  spawning  season  of  this  sunfish  is  in  May  and  June. 

Little  distinctive  can  be  said  as  to  its  game  qualities ;  they  are 
essentially  the  same  as  those  of  the  common  pumpkinseed.  It  takes 
the  hook  readily  if  baited  with  angleworm,  grub  or  cut  bait. 
It  takes  hold  cautiously  but  dashes  away  promptly  and  fights  well 
for  so  small  a  fish.     It  is  a  delicious  pan-fish. 

Our  specimens  disagree  in  some  respects  from  current  descrip- 
tions of  E.  heros;  the  maxillary  does  not  reach  fully  to  the  eye, 
the  longest  dorsal  spine  does  not  reach  to  the  posterior  border  of 
the  pupil,  and  the  pectoral  does  not  reach  beyond  the  middle  of  the 
anal. 

The  following  is  a  description  of  one  of  our  specimens : 

Head  3  in  length ;  depth  2.3 ;  eye  4.5  in  head ;  snout  3.25 ;  max- 
illary 3.3;  mandible  2.6;  preorbital  6.2;  interorbital  3.25;  dorsal  X, 
11,  the  spines  very  stout,  the  longest,  (6th)  2.5  in  head,  longest 
ray  1.8  in  head;  base  of  dorsal  2.25  in  length,  its  base  extending 
over  25  rows  of  scales;  anal  III,  11,  the  spines,  especially  the  third, 
very  stout  and  much  longer  than  the  others,  2.5  in  head ;  longest 
anal  ray  2  in  head ;  pectoral  long,  rather  narrow  and  sharp,  reach- 
ing somewhat  beyond  origin  of  anal,  and  contained  1.1  times  in 
head;  ventral  rather  acutely  rounded,  its  stout  spine  2.8  in  head, 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         405 

the  length  of  the  entire  fin  1.6  in  head,  its  tip  reaching  halfway 
between  vent  and  origin  of  anal ;  caudal  lobes  1.5  in  head ;  scales 
6-41-11,  with  38  pores  in  the  lateral  line;  scales  on  the  cheek 
large,  in  4  rows ;  membrane  of  dorsal  and  anal  scaled  at  base. 

Color  in  alcohol,  brownish,  of  a  nearly  uniform  tint  all  over  the 
body,  except  the  black  opercular  spot,  the  diameter  of  which  is  con- 
tained 1.2  times  in  the  diameter  of  the  eye;  color  in  life  pale  olive- 
greenish,  mottled  with  darker;  cheek  bluish  but  without  lines;  flap 
blue-black,  with  a  red  posterior  border,  silvery  anteriorly  above  and 
below ;  some  lemon  wash. 

50.     COMMON  SUNFISH 

EUPOMOTIS    GIBBOSUS    (Linnaeus) 

This  handsome  little  fish,  also  frequently  known  as  the  Pump- 
kin-seed and  Butter-belly,  is  one  of  our  best  known  fishes  and  is 
found  in  clear  brooks  and  ponds  from  Maine  westward  to  the 
Great  Lakes  and  southward  east  of  the  Alleghenies  to  Florida.  In 
the  Mississippi  Valley  it  is  found  only  in  the  northern  portion, 
being  fairly  abundant  in  Ohio,  Indiana,  Iowa,  Illinois  and  north- 
ward, but  it  is  said  to  be  rare  south  of  Virginia.  At  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee it  is  fairly  common ;  out  of  the  612  hauls  made  during  the 
seining  operations  in  and  about  the  lake,  one  or  more  examples 
were  taken  in  each  of  144  hauls ;  860  specimens  in  all  were  secured ; 
the  greatest  number  taken  in  one  haul  being  100. 

It  is  found  in  both  lakes,  also  in  the  short  stream  connecting 
them.  Favorite  places  which  they  frequent  are  the  chutes  and 
piers  at  the  Ice-houses,  Outlet  Bay  and  the  Outlet  about  the  bridges, 
and  under  the  piers  at  the  numerous  cottages.  In  such  places  as 
these  they  may  be  seen,  sometimes  in  considerable  numbers,  resting 
quietly  near  some  piling  or  other  protection.  Exceptionally  fine 
examples  are  sometimes  caught  at  the  Weedpatch,  the  Flatiron 
and  the  Sugarloaf. 

The  Pumpkin-seed  is  one  of  the  first,  if  not  the  very  first,  fish 
that  the  average  country  boy  in  the  Eastern  States  and  the  Upper 
Mississippi  Valley  learns  by  name,  and  the  ceremony  of  initiation 
into  the  art  of  angling  usually  consists  in  landing  a  Pumpkin-seed 
from  a  brook.  It  is  one  of  those  fishes  which  does  not  require  a 
complete  angler's  outfit  and  an  exhaustive  study  of  bait.  A  pin- 
hook,  a  piece  of  string,  any  sort  of  pole,  and  a  fishworm,  are  all 
that  is  necessary. 

Although  fairly  abundant  at  Maxinkuckee  and  possessing  some 
attractive  qualities  as  a  game-fish,  the  Pumpkin-seed  is  apparently 


406         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

not  caught  in  any  considerable  numbers  by  those  who  go  a-anghng. 
A  few  are  taken  about  the  piers  by  children  and  other  amateur 
anglers,  and  one  now  and  then  by  anglers  who  are  fishing  for  larger 
game.  The  greatest  number  and  the  finest  examples  are  doubtless 
caught  by  the  long  cane  pole  fisherman.  The  favorite  places  are 
about  the  various  bars  where  the  bluegills  congregate. 

They  usually  bite  quite  well  during  April  and  May.  From 
April  16  to  May  3,  1901,  several  people  were  fishing  almost  daily 
at  the  Ice-house  piers,  and  many  good  Pumpkin-seeds  were  taken. 
One  fisherman  caught  26  on  April  16,  and  16  on  the  next  day.  On 
April  24,  a  small  boy  fishing  from  a  boat  took  10. 


&:*? 


Pumpkin-seed   Sunfish    (Eupomotis   gihbosus) 


Although  the  Pumpkin-seed  reaches  maturity  at  a  small  size  in 
Lake  Maxinkuckee,  good-sized  examples  are  often  taken.  Per- 
haps 6  to  8  inches  is  the  usual  size,  but  larger  examples  are  some- 
times taken.     A  fine  male  7.5  inches  long  weighed  5.75  ounces. 

Those  caught  in  Lost  Lake  were  very  dark,  almost  black  in 
color,  due  doubtless  to  the  dark  color  of  the  water  and  the  bottom 
of  that  lake.  All  the  fishes  of  whatever  species  from  that  lake 
seem  in  general  to  have  a  darker  color  than  those  of  the  same  spe- 
cies from  Lake  Maxinkuckee. 

The  Pumpkin-seed  is  preeminently  a  boy's  fish.  It  takes  the 
hook  readily,  and  promptly  begins  a  fight  which  bears  much  re- 
semblance to  the  way  a  small  dog  handles  a  rat ;  its  movements  are 
rapid,  erratic,  and  uneven,  at  times  quite  vigorous,  then  again  life- 


Lake  Maxinlaickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         407 

less  as  if  the  fight  were  given  up.  Any  sort  of  small  bait  will 
answer  but  there  is  nothing  else  so  good  as  the  common  angle- 
worm. 

As  a  pan-fish  the  Pumpkin-seed  has  no  superior,  and  the  mature 
roe  nicely  browned  is  a  tidbit  that  is  not  easily  excelled. 

The  food  of  the  Pumpkin-seed  is  nearly  the  same  as  that  of  the 
other  sunfishes.  During  the  spring  of  1901,  the  principal  food 
was  Asellus^ — the  common  isopod  crustacean  of  the  lake.  They 
fed  pretty  largely  also  on  small  thin-shelled  snails.  Some  con- 
tained minnows  and  darters.  The  stomach  of  one  7.5  inches  long 
and  weighing  5.75  oz.  caught  at  the  Weedpatch  September  12, 
1907,  contained  two  leeches,  fragments  of  Physa,  a  thin  operculum 
of  some  snail  and  one  Pisidium.  An  example  2,5  inches  long- 
caught  August  3,  1906,  contained  what  seemed  to  be  fragments  of 
a  freshwater  sponge,  the  sponge  spicules  being  abundant ;  another 
2.75  inches  long  contained  insect  larvse,  2  ostracods  (Cypris)  and 
1  water  mite ;  another  3  inches  long  contained  the  opercle  of  a 
snail  and  a  very  small  crawfish.  Among  other  food  elements  (in 
early  spring  of  1901)  were  dragon-fly  larvse,  minnows  and  one 
darter. 

This  species  begins  nesting  early  in  June  and  continues  nesting 
throughout  the  summer.  Several  nests  were  found  in  Lost  Lake 
June  12.  They  were  first  found  near  the  shore  south  of  the 
Bardsley  cottage  and  later  others  were  found  among  those  of  the 
bluegills  at  the  north  end  of  the  lake.  Those  near  the  shore  were 
shallow,  bowl-shaped  afl'airs,  worn  out  of  the  fibrous  turfy  bottom 
and  containing  no  shells,  pebbles  or  anything  foreign  or  trans- 
ported. They  contained  great  "numbers  of  small  clear  eggs  which 
appeared  to  stick  fast  to  the  fibres  projecting  from  the  bottom  of 
the  nest.  The  fish  behaves  much  as  the  bluegill,  fanning  the  water 
over  the  eggs  with  its  fins,  and  chasing  away  intruders.  They  are 
braver  than  the  bluegill,  do  not  nest  so  closely  together,  and  do  not 
flee  at  the  approach  of  a  boat. 

Somewhat  later,  nests  were  found  in  the  Outlet,  just  west  of  the 
railroad  bridge  and  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  On  June  23,  two  small 
nests  with  the  parent  fish  on  were  noted  in  the  Outlet,  and  nests 
were  still  noted  in  July  in  the  big  lake.  In  these  latter  locations 
the  nest  consisted  of  a  bowl-shaped  depression  scooped  out  of 
the  sand. 

On  account  of  its  bravery  while  on  the  nest,  the  breeding  habits 
of  this  fish  can  be  studied  to  good  advantage.  On  July  7,  1901, 
the  actions  of  the  parent  fish  at  a  nest  at  the  head  of  the  Outlet 


408         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

were  observed  for  some  time.  The  young  were  quite  minute, 
transparent  objects,  the  eyes  being  the  most  conspicuous  part  of 
them.  They  hugged  the  bottom  quite  closely,  but  were  pretty 
active.  Now  and  then  one  of  them  appeared  to  take  a  notion  to 
leave  the  nest,  and  would  swim  up  toward  the  surface.  Quick  as 
a  flash  the  parent  fish  would  snap  it  up,  and  it  appeared  at  first 
glance  as  if  it  were  devouring  its  young,  but  it  was  soon  discovered 
that  each  time  it  had  taken  in  a  young  fish  it  immediately  went 
down  to  the  bottom  of  the  nest,  head  downward,  and  spat  the 
young  out  into  the  nest  near  the  ground. 

In  1906,  numerous  nests  were  seen  in  shallow  water  near  Chad- 
wick's  pier,  with  the  parent  fishes  guarding,  and  two  individuals 
were  seen  mating. 

The  nesting  fishes  appeared  to  be  remarkably  small ;  specimens 
only  2.5  inches  in  length  were  fully  mature. 

Young  of  this  species  were  frequently  caught  while  seining  for 
minnows  along  shore.  On  June  19,  1901,  examples  1.5  inches 
long  were  caught,  probably  young  of  the  previous  year. 

Head  3  to  3.25  in  length;  depth  1.75  to  2;  eye  4  to  4.5  in  head; 
snout  4.5 ;  D.  X,  10  to  12 ;  A.  Ill,  10  or  11 ;  scales  6-40  to  47,  pores 
35  to  45,  4  rows  on  cheek;  body  short  and  deep,  compressed,  the 
profile  steep,  convex,  usually  an  angle  above  the  eye;  head  rather 
small;  mouth  small,  oblique,  the  maxillary  scarcely  reaching  verti- 
cal with  front  of  eye;  dorsal  spines  rather  high,  the  longest  2  to 
2.5  in  head,  as  long  as  eye  and  snout,  the  soft  rays  higher;  pec- 
toral long,  as  long  as  head ;  scales  large ;  gillrakers  short  and  soft, 
smaller  than  in  any  other  sunfish  except  Lepomis  megalotis,  X  +  8 
to  10 ;  pharyngeal  teeth  all  bluntly  rounded,  paved,  the  bones  very 
broad,  somewhat  concave.  One  of  the  most  brilliant  of  our  fresh- 
water fishes,  the  colors  somewhat  variable.  The  following  are 
color  notes  taken  from  a  specimen  7.5  inches  long  (male)  and 
weighing  5.75  ounces,  caught  at  the  Weedpatch  September  12, 
1907: 

Back  and  upper  part  of  sides  with  8  vertical  bars  of  dark  blue 
green  alternating  with  the  same  number  of  lighter  golden  bars; 
bars  of  each  set,  especially  the  latter,  with  scattered  old-gold  spots; 
cheek  brassy  or  golden,  with  about  6  irregular  pale  blue  oblique 
bars;  opercle  jet-black,  edged  with  blood-red;  belly  rich  orange  or 
brassy ;  caudal  and  dorsal  dusky  with  some  iridescent  green ;  anal 
pale  wine;  ventrals  pale  orange;  pectoral  pale;  colors  exceedingly 
brilliant. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         409 
51.     SMALL-MOUTHED  BLACK  BASS 

MICROPTERUS  DOLOMIEU   Lacepede 

(Plates  27  and  28) 

The  Black  Bass  is  found  in  most  suitable  waters  from  Lake 
Champlain  westward  to  Manitoba  and  southward  on  both  sides 
of  the  mountains  from  James  River,  Virginia,  to  South  Carolina, 
and  from  the  Great  Lakes  to  northern  Mississippi  and  Arkansas. 
It  has  been  planted  in  many  places  where  it  was  not  native,  both 
in  this  country,  and  in  England,  France  and  Germany,  and  has 
usually  thriven  wherever  planted.  It  is  a  fish  of  clear  running 
streams  and  of  the  clearer,  colder  lakes.  In  the  southern  part  of 
its  range  it  is  confined  to  cool  flowing  streams,  but  in  the  north 
it  is  equally  abundant  in  streams  and  in  the  larger,  cooler  lakes.  It 
is  absent,  however,  from  many  of  the  smaller,  shallower  lakes, 
such  as  Bass,  Fletcher,  Cicott,  Manitou,  and  others  in  northern 
Indiana. 

In  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  a  very  abundant  fish.  In  the  sein- 
ing operations  of  1899-1900,  1,127  specimens  were  taken,  the  maxi- 
mum number  secured  in  one  haul  being  62.  In  the  summer  of 
1906,  the  young  of  this  and  the  straw  bass  were  phenomenally 
abundant ;  and  people  seining  for  minnows  along  shore  were  usually 
troubled  by  getting  large  numbers  of  young  black  bass  and  noth- 
ing else.  While  seining  for  minnows  near  Murray's  over  a  hun- 
dred examples  of  this  species  were  taken  in  two  hauls. 

Some  idea  of  the  rate  of  growth  can  be  obtained  from  the  fol- 
lowing data:  Numerous  young  of  this  species  measured  July  18 
and  19,  ranged  in  total  length  from  1.3  to  2,8  inches,  the  usual  size 
being  2  to  2.25  inches.  Others  examined  August  1,  measured  1.7 
to  2.7  inches,  the  usual  size  being  about  2.3  inches.  All  these  were 
probably  hatched  toward  the  first  of  June,  as  we  have  a  number 
of  fry,  just  hatched,  taken  from  a  nest  June  1,  1901.  They  are 
each  about  one-third  of  an  inch  in  length. 

This  is  the  fish  most  sought  after  by  anglers  who  visit  the  lake. 
It  can  be  caught  almost  the  whole  year  round,  and  minnows  are 
the  best  year-round  bait.  The  best  fishing,  however,  is  early  in 
August,  and  again  in  October  and  November.  During  the  sum- 
mer they  are  usually  caught  in  rather  shallow  water.  The  best 
way  to  fish  for  them  in  August  and  early  September  is  to  use  grass- 
hoppers for  bait,  casting  or  trolling  with  a  light  oil  line.  In  Oc- 
tober and  November,  the  best  method  is  to  troll  with  a  live  minnow, 
fishing  deep  by  means  of  a  heavy  sinker.     It  is  about  the  only 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey     '    411 


kind  of  black  bass  caught  in  July  and  August,  the  large-mouth 
not  coming  until  September.  Besides  grasshoppers  and  minnows 
the  spoon,  spinner  and  fly  are  occasionally  used.  Rarely  the  craw- 
fish makes  a  good  bait.  Generally  one  does  not  anchor,  but  trolls 
slowly  with  75  to  100  feet  of  line  out.  Sometimes  however,  good 
catches  are  made  while  still-fishing.  Sometimes  they  are  caught 
through  the  ice;  in  the  spring  of  1901,  just  as  the  ice  was  going 
off  there  were  2  or  3  days  when  this  was  the  principal  fish  caught ; 
generally,  however,  it  was  the  straw  bass  that  was  taken  in  winter. 
The  usual  weight  of  this  fish  as  got  in  the  lake  is  from  2  to 
2.5  pounds ;  3-pounders  are  occasional,  and  the  maximum  size 
seems  to  be  about  5  pounds.  There  is  a  record  of  an  angler  hav- 
ing caught  one  which  weighed  7  pounds  (April  7,  1900),  but  the 
fish  may  have  been  wrongly  identified.  A  large  number  were 
measured,  and  a  good  number  were  measured  and  weighed.  The 
following  table  gives  the  lengths  and  weights  of  21  specimens  of 
this  species: 


Length 

Circumference 

Weight 

10       inches 

1  pound 

1  pound 
1  pound 
1  pound 

1  pound 

2  pounds 
1  pound 

1  pound 
1  pound 
1  pound 

1  pound 

2  pounds 

3  po:n  's 

4  pounds 

3  pounds 

4  pounds 
3  pounds 

9.25 
8.75 

10.5 
1 

13 
3.5 
6.25 
6.75 
7.25 

15 
15 
15 

12  5 
11.75 
8 

0 

8 
(very 

9.75  inches 

11.5    inches 

12.5    inchfs 

ouncG 

12.75  inches 

oimops 

13       inches 

13 .25  inches 

13.5    ounces 

14       ounces 

14 . 5    ounces 

15.5    inches 

ounrps 

15.5    inches 

15.5    inches 

l.j       inches 

15.25  inches 

ounces 

17       inches 
17.5    inches 

ounces 

18.75  inches 
18.5   inches 

12  inches 

ounces 

19  inches 

20  inches 

12  inches 

ounces 

The  Black  Bass  exhibits  some  variations  in  color,  though  not  so 
marked  or  striking  as  the  straw  bass.  Some  examples  are  irregu- 
larly spotted.  A  marked  variation  is  brownish  rather  than  green- 
ish, with  reddish  eyes.  Some  of  the  fishermen  speak  of  these  as 
the  "red-eyed  bass". 

By  far  the  greater  number  of  stomachs  examined  contained 
crawfishes,  and  the  indications  are  that  these  form  the  chief  food 


Plate  28 


SMALL-MOUTH  BLACK  BASS   (Micropterus  dolomieu) 


SMALL-MOUTH  BLACK  BASS    {Micropterus  dolomieu) 
The  same   individual   fish  as  above,   showing  the  interesting   changes   in   color   markings   occurring  within  a  brief 
time.     Photographed  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  by  A.  Radclifle   Dugmore   for  use   in   Jordan   and   Evermann's   "American 
Food  and  Game  Fishes,"  published  by  Doubleday,   Page  and   Company. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         413 

of  this  species.  Crawfishes,  however,  do  not  make  very  good  bait 
as  a  usual  thing.     A  few  examples  contained  Vivipara  co7itectoides. 

The  Black  Bass  begins  spawning  about  the  middle  of  ]\Iay. 
The  nest  consists  of  a  bowl-shaped  depression  in  sandy  or  gravelly 
bottom.  Most  of  those  seen  were  in  about  6  feet  of  water.  The 
fish  appear  to  bite  rather  well  while  preparing  the  nests  and  per- 
haps also  while  watching  the  nests.  A  fisherman  was  seen  May  16 
who  reported  that  he  had  gotten  6  on  the  east  side  where  they  were 
preparing  their  nests.  A  few  were  caught  during  the  nesting 
season  and  many  were  reported  taken  off  the  nests,  but  the  reports 
could  not  be  verified. 

Besides  being  more  gamy,  the  flesh  of  this  fish  is  regarded  as 
quite  superior  to  that  of  the  straw  bass. 

Head  2.5  to  3.5 ;  depth  2.75  to  3 ;  eye  5  to  6.5 ;  D.  X,  13  to  15 ; 
A.  Ill,  10  to  12;  scales  11-72  to  85-25,  67  to  78  pores,  about  17 
rows  on  cheek.  Body  ovate-fusiform,  becoming  deeper  with  age; 
mouth  large,  but  smaller  than  in  the  large-mouthed  black  bass ; 
maxillary  ending  considerably  in  front  of  posterior  border  of  orbit, 
except  in  very  old  examples ;  scales  on  cheek  minute,  those  on  body 
small ;  dorsal  fin  deeply  notched,  but  less  so  than  in  the  other  spec- 
ies, the  ninth  spine  being  about  half  as  long  as  the  fifth,  and  not 
much  shorter  than  the  tenth ;  soft  dorsal  and  anal  each  scaly  at  the 
base.  General  coloration,  dull  golden  green,  with  bronze  luster 
often  blotched  with  darker,  especially  on  head;  young  with  darker 
spots  along  the  sides,  which  tend  to  form  short  vertical  bars,  but 
never  a  dark  lateral  band;  3  bronze  bands  radiating  from  eye 
across  cheek  and  opercle;  a  dusky  spot  on  point  of  opercle;  belly 
white;  caudal  fin  yellowish  at  base,  then  black,  with  white  tips; 
dorsal  with  bronze  spots,  its  edge  dusky.  In  some  waters  the 
fin-markings  are  obsolete,  but  they  are  usually  conspicuous  in  the 
young. 

yThe  little-mouth  has  little  scales. 
There's  red  in  his  handsome  eye, 
The  scales  extend  on  his  vertical  fins. 
And  his  forehead  is  round  and  high. 

"His  forehead  is  round  and  high,  my  boys, 
And  he  sleeps  the  winter  through; 
He  likes  the  rocks  in  the  summer  time — 
Micropterus  dolomieu." 


414         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

52.     STRAW  BASS 

MICROPTERUS   SALMOIDES    (Lacepede) 

(Plates  1  and  29) 

The  Large-mouthed  Black  Bass  is  everywhere  abundant  in  suit- 
able waters  from  Canada  and  the  Red  River  of  the  North,  south- 
ward to  Florida,  Texas,  and  even  into  Mexico.  It  prefers  lakes, 
bayous  and  other  sluggish  waters,  and  in  the  small  lakes  of  the 
Upper  Mississippi  Valley  it  is  most  abundant  in  those  of  moderate 
or  shallow  depths.  It  is  one  of  the  best  known  game  fishes  and  re- 
joices in  a  great  number  of  vernacular  names,  among  which  may 
be  mentioned  bayou  bass,  slough  bass,  lake  bass,  cow  bass,  large- 
mouth  black  bass  and  Oswego  bass.  In  the  south  it  is  absurdly 
called  trout,  green  trout,  chub  and  welchman. 

At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  very  abundant  and  is  the  game- 
fish  most  frequently  caught  by  anglers.  It  is  caught  the  whole 
year  round,  and  is  the  principal  species  taken  in  ice-fishing.  Dur- 
ing the  seining  operations  in  1899-1900,  1506  specimens  were 
taken,  the  greatest  number  secured  at  one  haul  being  100.  In 
1906,  the  young  of  this  bass  were  exceedingly  abundant,  so  much 
so  that  they  crowded  along  the  shores,  and  made  up  the  larger  por- 
tion of  catches  obtained  by  fishermen  seining  for  minnows.  On 
August  10  of  that  year  people  seining  along  the  south  shore  of 
Outlet  Bay  with  a  common  minnow  seine  got  150  young  straw 
bass  at  one  haul. 

The  Straw  Bass  is  well  distributed  throughout  the  lake.  Dur- 
ing the  summer  the  large  ones  are  often  seen  near  shore  where 
they  spend  their  time  over  the  shallow  weedy  bars.  They  are 
also  found  on  various  bars  out  in  the  lake,  the  Weedpatch,  the 
Flatiron  and  Sugarloaf,  being  favorite  fishing  grounds.  With  the 
approach  of  cold  weather,  after  the  water  has  cooled  down  con- 
siderably, they  may  often  be  seen  in  shallow  water  not  far  from 
shore.  They  come  up  to  shore  in  considerable  numbers  at  night 
when  the  weather  begins  to  get  cold.  There  appear^  to  be  a  slight 
tendency  in  this  fish  to  migrate  down  to  Lost  Lake  during  the  win- 
ter, and  to  return  to  the  larger  lake  in  the  spring,  as  occasionally 
schools  of  large  fish  may  be  seen — usually  late  at  night  or  early  in 
the  morning — drifting  down  stream  in  September  and  October  and 
coming  up  stream  m  the  spring;  and  there  are  almost  always  dur- 
ing fall  and  spring  good  schools  of  young  bass  in  the  Outlet.  This 
migration  is  relatively  unimportant  however,  when  it  comes  to 
considering  the  main  mass  of  fish  in  the  lake.  The  schools  of  fish 
in  the  Outlet  are  never  so  large  nor  continuous  as  to  form  what 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         415 

might  be  called  a  run ;  the  movement  down  the  stream  in  autumn 
is  an  easy  drifting*,  and  the  ascent  in  the  spring  has  nothing  in  it 
of  a  purposeful  run  or  migration.  Ice-fishing  during  the  winter 
is  quite  as  good  or  better-  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  than  in  Lost  Lake. 
Frequently  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  great  schools  of  large  bass  may 
be  seen  through  the  clear  ice,  that  would  cause  the  angler  who  has 
fished  through  relatively  fruitless  days  in  the  summer-time  to 
marvel  at  their  size  and  abundance.  These  fish  under  the  ice  are 
pretty  lively  and  swim  before  one  at  a  good  rate  of  speed,  in  this 
respect  diff'ering  from  many  of  the  sunfishes. 

Although  the  young  Straw  Bass  are  common  along  the  shore 
of  the  lake  during  the  summer  time,  they  are  also  distributed  all 
over  the  lake  in  the  upper  waters.  On  September  9,  1906,  and  on 
a  few  other  occasions,  thousands  of  them  were  seen  far  out  on  the 
lake  sporting  on  the  surface,  swimming  about  in  circles  much  like 
whirligig  beetles,  and  with  the  dorsal  fin  sticking  up  out  of  the 
water.  It  was  supposed  that  they  were  feeding  on  plankton  at  the 
surface.  A  towing  was  made  near  where  they  were  feeding  and 
the  lake  was  found  to  consist  mainly  of  Daphnias. 

The  food  of  the  Straw  Bass  is  quite  varied,  and  so  far  as  exam- 
ined, appears  to  exhibit  a  much  wider  range  than  that  of  the  black 
bass,  changing  with  the  size  of  the  fish  and  with  the  season.  Of 
5  small  ones  examined  July  23,  1906,  one  2i  inches  long  contained 
one  copepod ;  one  3  inches  long  was  empty ;  one  2  J  inches  contained 
beach  fleas ;  one  2  inches  contained  Cypris,  great  numbers  of 
Daphnia  and  one  Chironomus  larva;  and  another  2  inches  long 
contained  entomostraca  and  a  species  of  alga  not  identified ;  one 
1^  inches  long  taken  November  16,  1904,  contained  insect  larvae. 
The  young  bass  of  somewhat  larger  size  (about  3  inches  long)  are 
quite  voracious,  and  frequently  eat  other  fishes.  On  August  20, 
a  small  one  caught  at  Long  Point  had  a  small  skipjack  not  much 
shorter  than  itself  halfway  down.  This,  however,  may  have  been 
an  accident,  as  in  seining  where  fishes  are  crowded  they  may  snap 
at  each  other  while  gasping.  On  August  23,  a  young  one  was  seen 
to  dash  from  shore  with  a  silvery  fish,  apparently  a  young  blue- 
gill,  in  its  mouth.  The  fortunate  bass  was  followed  by  a  crowd 
of  smaller  ones,  much  as  a  flock  of  chickens  chase  one  that  has  a 
choice  morsel.  On  the  next  day  precisely  the  same  phenomenon 
was  observed  again.  The  food  of  the  larger  Straw  Bass  is  quite 
as  varied  as  that  of  the  young.  Of  3  examples,  weighing  about 
1^  pounds  each,  examined  April  28,  1901,  one  contained  4  craw- 
fishes, one  had  2  darters  and  4  crawfishes,  and  the  third  contained 
2  crawfishes.     Numerous  others  contained  crawfishes,  which  seem 

27—17618 


416         Lake  Maxirikuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

to  be  the  most  important  element  of  their  food.  One  example  con- 
tained several  darters ;  another  19^  inches  long  contained  the  spines 
of  another  fish;  several  contained  Vivipara  contectoides ;  one  5 
inches  long  contained  a  backswimmer;  and  another,  a  medium- 
sized  minnow.  On  August  7,  1906,  a  fisherman  reported  finding 
a  young  musk  turtle  in  the  stomach  of  a  straw  bass;  another  ex- 
ample contained  a  minnow,  a  johnny  darter  and  several  Sphserium 
shells ;  another  contained  a  grasshopper — probably  bait ;  and  a 
large  bass  19  inches  long  was  found  dead  on  shore  with  a  good- 
sized  bluegill  lodged  crossways  in  its  mouth — a  victim  of  its  own 
greed.  Although  the  bass  bite  eagerly  in  the  winter,  they  appear 
to  eat  very  little  then ;  all  the  stomachs  examined  caught  by  ice- 
fishing  being  empty  except  for  parasites. 

The  Straw  Bass  is  the  most  abundant  game-fish  in  the  lake, 
and  one  of  those  most  frequently  caught.  They  are  considered  a 
good  deal  more  loggy  than  the  black  bass  and  the  flesh  is  coarser 
and  not  so  finely  flavored.  The  best  season  for  catching  the  Straw 
Bass  is  in  May  and  June,  by  trolling  along  the  edge  of  bars;  one 
observant  fisherman  claims  that  only  males  are  obtained  at  that 
time.  In  fishing  for  the  Straw  Bass,  almost  all  sorts  of  methods 
are  used  except  fly-fishing,  which  is  not  much  in  vogue  at  Lake 
Maxinkuckee.  In  early  summer  the  fish  are  caught  on  bars  among 
the  weeds  in  from  3  to  8  feet  of  water;  later  in  the  year  they  are 
often  caught  in  deeper  water;  some  were  caught  in  30  to  40  feet 
on  October  17.  Minnows  are  the  best  all-year-round  bait — gray- 
back  and  blue-nosed  chub,  etc.,  for  warmer  weather,  and  shiners 
for  cold  weather.  During  late  summer  and  early  fall  the  grass- 
hopper is  favorite  bait.  Bass  are  also  caught  on  the  spoon,  spin- 
ner, artificial  frog,  meat-rind,  pork-chunk,  etc.  A  few  anglers  are 
not  ashamed  to  use  the  Dowagiac  minnow,  but  the  better  sportsmen 
regard  it  as  a  barbarous  device,  fit  only  to  be  used  by  a  clumsy 
fish-butcher. 

This  fish  is  the  species  most  frequently  caught  by  ice-fishers. 

Just  what  might  be  considered  a  good  catch  at  the  lake  depends 
upon  the  circumstances,  the  fisherman,  the  methods  of  fishing,  etc. 
With  the  old  methods  of  ice-fishing  wiiere  there  was  no  limit  to  the 
number  of  hooks,  more  could  be  obtained  than  in  summer  fishing. 
This  varied  greatly  with  the  individual,  as  some  men  who  fished  a 
great  deal  through  the  ice  got  very  few  fish,  and  for  a  just  com- 
parison it  would  be  necessary  to  have  the  records  of  the  same  per- 
son fishing  both  winter  and  summer,  and  having  ample  opportunity 
to  fish  the  whole  season  through.  One  of  the  best  ice-fishers  got 
21  Large-mouth  Bass  in  one  day    (January  15,   1901)  ;  another, 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         All 

hardly  so  good  an  angler,  fishing  after  the  ice  had  gone,  got  13  one 
forenoon. 

The  true  sportsman  who  comes  to  the  lake,  however,  is  little 
concerned  with  the  number  of  fish  he  catches.  He  would  wish  for 
some  probability — not  quite  a  dead  sure  certainty — that  he  would 
get  a  strike  from  some  big  gamy  bass.  He  would  wish  that  bass 
so  full  of  maneuvers  and  tactics  as  to  test  his  skill  to  the  utmost, 
and  make  the  issue  of  the  battle  uncertain.  He  would  like  per- 
haps another  boat  in  the  distance,  but  not  too  near,  to  help  tell  the 
story  of  the  fight,  and  to  tell  it  as  a  disinterested  spectator.  And 
if  a  really  big  bass  is  landed,  it  is  perhaps  with  a  twinge  of  regret 
that  he  finds  it  necessary  to  take  the  fish  along  as  a  proof  of  his 
veracity  instead  of  turning  it  loose  with  the  hope  that  he  or  some 
one  else  may'meet  it  again  in  battle. 

During  the  autumn  the  young  bass  can  be  caught  in  the  Outlet 
by  the  crude  method  of  the  old  long  cane  pole  and  worm  bait.  On 
October  22,  a  boy  was  seen  fishing  from  the  railroad  bridge  with 
worms.     He  had  caught  2  Straw  Bass  each  about  5  inches  long. 

The  Straw  Bass  begins  spawning  about  the  middle  of  May. 
On  May  30,  1901,  about  a  dozen  nests  were  found.  They  consisted 
of  circular  depressions  filled  in  with  pebbles  from  about  the  size 
of  a  hen's  egg  down ;  some  of  them  being  finer,  others  of  coarser, 
gravel,  and  they  were  from  one  foot  to  about  2|  feet  across  in  a 
depth  of  about  6  feet  of  water.  The  nests  were  found  off"  Kreutz- 
berger's,  in  front  of  the  Palmer  house  and  east  of  Lakeview  hotel, 
also  off  the  stone  breakwater  near  the  northeast  shore  of  the  lake. 
At  the  time  the  nests  were  found  they  were  filled  with  little  black 
young  which  looked  much  like  carpet  tacks  scattered  over  the  bot- 
tom. It  is  claimed  by  some  of  the  fishermen  about  the  lake  that 
the  bass  will  bite  from  the  nest,  and  that  during  the  nesting  season 
it  is  easy  for  one  who  knows  where  the  nests  are  to  go  from  one 
to  another  and  catch  a  numbei-  of  fish. 

The  Straw  Bass  caught  in  the  lake  average  from  3  to  o\  pounds 
or  less.  The  largest  specimen,  so  far  as  verified  records  go, 
weighed  8  pounds.  One  fisherman  in  June,  1895,  caught  an  8- 
pounder  which  weighed  5i  pounds  when  dressed.  Another  fish- 
erman, fishing  from  a  pier,  caught  one  weighing  8  pounds  and  just 
24  inches  long;  one  man  claims  to  have  got  one  of  8i^  pounds.  A 
great  many  fishes  were  weighed,  and  a  number  were  both  meas- 
ured and  weighed,  occasional  weights  are  5,  5]  and  6]  pounds. 
The  following  table  gives  the  weights  and  measurements  of  a  num- 
ber of  Straw  Bass  taken  at  the  lake : 


418         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


Length 

Circumference 

Weight 

Length 

Circumference 

Weight 

9k  inches 
16     inches 

8oz. 
2  lb.  15  oz. 
female;  plump 
12  oz. 

2  lb.  H  oz 

1  lb.    8  oz. 

3  lbs. 

3  lbs. 

4  lbs. 

2  lbs. 
1  + 

19      inches 
17     inches 

1834  inches 

12  inches 

4  lb     8     oz 

2  lb.  12K  oz. 

3  lb.    2k  oz. 

Ilk  inches 
IhH  inches 



14      inches 

173'2  inches 

17k  inches 

19     inches 

17     inches 

12H  inches 

The  following  table  taken  from  Report  State  Fish  Commission- 
ers of  Penn.,  1897,  p.  159,  may  be  of  interest  for  weights  and 
measurements  of  smaller  examples : 


Inches 

VA'eight  of  each  Fish  in  Ounce.? 

5k      

m. 
m. 

2,  2,  2k,  2,  2,  2k,  2,  2,  2k. 

3,  3,  3,  3,  2k,  3,  3,  3k,  2,  2,  2k. 

4,  3k,  3k,  4,  4,  332,  3,  4,  33  2,  4,  3k. 

4,  4k,  4,  43^,  5. 

5,  5,  5k,  5,  5,  .532,  5,  6. 

6,  6,  5k,  7. 

7,  8,  7,  7,  8,  9,  7,  7. 

10,  9,  7,  7,  8,  8,  8,  8,  7,  7,  8,  8,  9,  8,  8,  8,  10,  9,  9,  8,  10,  9,  8,  8,  9. 

6  ...                    

6k 

7        

7k... 

8    

8k 

9     

10       .                                    

lO'i. . .                                           

11,  10,  9,  10,  10,  9,  9,  11,  11,  10,  11,  9. 

11 

1132 

n,  n,  11,  in,  n,  12, 10, 12,  n,  12,  11, 11, 12. 
12, 12, 12, 13, 13, 12. 

The  Straw  Bass  reaches  a  larger  size  farther  south  than  here. 

Mr.  Willard  Nye  of  New  Bedford,  has  given  us  the  following 
note: 

"On  or  about  February  20,  1902,  I  caught  a  female  Large- 
mouthed  Black  Bass  in  the  uppermost  of  a  long  chain  of  small 
lakes  in  Pasco  County,  Florida.  The  fish  weighed  11^  pounds, 
measured  26^  inches  in  total  length,  214  in  circumference,  and 
7^  across  the  mouth  from  side  to  side.  The  eggs  were  pretty 
well  developed,  but  not  ripe;  the  stomach  contained  one  small  fish 
too  far  digested  to  be  identified.  The  fish  was  caught  trolling  with 
a  phantom  minnow  of  the  blue-back  variety,  3i  inches  long,  which 
is  the  best  bait  for  all  sorts  of  fish  in  the  fresh  waters  of  Florida  ; 
even  very  small  bass  and  sunfish  will  take  this  lure." 

The  large  bass  referred  to  jumped  once  entirely  free  from  the 
water.  Mr.  Nye  says  that  he  has  heard  of  other  bass  in  Florida 
weighing  as  much  as  12  pounds,  but  this  is  the  largest  he  ever  saw. 


Lake  Maxinktickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         419 

On  another  occasion  he  caught  one  not  much  shorter  in  length 
than  this,  but  weighing  only  5  or  6  pounds. 

As  to  rate  of  growth  in  the  lake,  this  is  found  to  vary  a  good 
deal  with  individuals  in  the  same  waters.  The  young  of  the  year 
were  about  1  inch  long  on  July  5,  1899,  and  in  September  and 
October,  1906,  the  smallest  Straw  Bass  seen  were  about  2^  or 
3  inches  long  and  were  supposed  to  represent  the  young  of  the  year. 

The  Straw  Bass  about  the  lake  seem  to  be  quite  free  from 
parasitic  copepods.  leeches,  etc.  Internal  parasites  are  not  rare. 
During  the  winter  of  1900-1901,  nearly  all  the  stomachs  examined 
were  empty  of  food  but  almost  all  contained  a  few  distomids,  one 
lot  examined  averaging  about  8  distomids  apiece.  The  young  are 
sometimes  afflicted  with  numerous  parasites.  Some  examined 
July  24,  1906,  contained  a  few  distomids ;  a  small  one  examined 
July  30,  had  one  distomid;  and  of  3  small  examples  studied  July 
23,  all  contained  parasites ;  one  about  3  inches  long,  contained  the 
usual  distomids,  the  second  2  inches  long  contained  1  Acanthoceph- 
alus,  and  another  2^  inches  long  contained  4  different  kinds  of  in- 
ternal parasites. 

Head  3  to  3^  in  length;  depth  3  to  3{ ;  eye  5  to  6  in  head;  D. 
X,  12  or  13;  A.  Ill,  10  or  11;  scales  7-65  to  70-18,  about  58  to  67 
pores,  10  or  11  rows  of  scales  on  cheek.  Body  ovate-fusiform, 
becoming  deeper  with  age,  moderately  compressed ;  head  large ; 
mouth  very  wide,  the  maxillary  in  adult  reaching  beyond  the  eye, 
shorter  in  the  young;  scales  on  body  comparatively  large;  teeth 
sometimes  present  on  tongue;  gillrakers  longer  than  gill-fringes; 
dorsal  fin  very  deeply  notched,  its  fifth  spine  3|  in  head.  General 
color,  dark  green  above,  sides  and  below  greenish  silvery;  young 
with  a  blackish  stripe  along  the  side  from  opercle  to  middle  of 
caudal  fin ;  3  oblique  dark  spots  above  and  below  lateral  line ;  caudal 
fin  pale  at  base,  then  blackish,  and  whitish  at  tip ;  belly  white.  As 
the  fish  grows  older  the  black  lateral  stripe  breaks  up  and  grows 
paler  and  the  color  becomes  more  and  more  uniform  pale  dull 
green,  the  back  being  darker. 

53.     WALL-EYED  PIKE 

STIZOSTEDION    VITREUM    (Mitchill) 

(Plate  30) 

The  Wall-eyed  Pike  is  a  species  of  wide  distribution.  It  is 
found  from  Lake  Champlain  westward  throughout  the  Great  Lakes 
region  and  to  Assiniboia.  It  is  native  also  to  the  small  lakes  of 
New  York  and  the  Susquehanna  and  Juniata  rivers,  east  of  the 


420         Lake  Maxinknckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Alleghenies.  In  the  Mississippi  Valley  it  occurs  in  many  of  the 
larger  streams  and  small  lakes  as  far  south  as  Georgia  and  Ala- 
bama. Though  found  in  many  streams,  it  is  preferably  a  fish  of 
the  lakes,  and  it  reaches  its  greatest  abundance  in  the  Great  Lakes, 
particularly  in  Lake  Erie.  In  difi'erent  parts  of  its  range  it  is 
known  by  different  names.  Among  the  Great  Lakes  it  is  called 
the  Wall-eyed  Pike,  YelJow  Pike,  or  Dore  by  the  French-Canadians, 
and  Pickerel  in  the  places  where  the  true  pike  (Esox  luciiis)  is 
found.  In  the  Susquehanna  and  Juniata  rivers,  and  in  the  small 
lakes  of  northern  Indiana,  it  is  known  as  Salmon  or  Jack  Salmon, 
names  absurd  and  wholly  without  excuse.  Southward  in  the  Mis- 
sissippi Valley  it  is  the  Jack.  Elsewhere  it  is  called  Okow,  Blow- 
fish  or  Green  Pike,     In  fish  cultural  books  it  is  called  Pike-Perch. 

The  Wall-eyed  Pike  is  rarely  seen  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  al- 
though it  is  not  uncommon  there.  During  the  warmer  weather 
they  keep  in  deep  water.  When  the  weather  first  gets  cold  in  the 
fall  they  come  in  to  shore  in  some  numbers  at  night,  doubtless  to 
feed  on  other  fishes.  Illegal  fishermen  who  ply  their  work  on  dark 
nights  and  chiefly  during  the  autumn  and  spring,  sometimes  get 
these  fish.  One  man  claims  to  have  speared  a  two-bushel  sack  full 
of  these  fish  early  in  the  spring  near  the  Inlet,  where  they  had 
doubtless  come  to  deposit  their  spawn.  They  do  not  appear  to 
stay  near  shore  or  in  shallow  water  during  the  winter,  for  they 
are  not  seen  through  the  clear  ice,  and  it  is  not  known  whether 
they  go  in  schools  like  the  perch  does  or  not.  From  the  fact  that 
only  one  or  a  few  are  usually  caught  at  a  time,  it  would  seem  that 
they  are  rather  solitary. 

The  V'/all-eyed  Pike  is  never  caught  in  large  numbers ;  usually 
only  1  or  2  are  taken  at  a  time.  On  October  27,  1900,  one  man 
caught  4  large  ones  one  forenoon,  and  on  the  next  day  he  caught 
3.  This  would  be  regarded  as  exceptionally  good  luck.  On  No- 
vember 3,  1900,  2  fishermen  fishing  together  got  5,  and  on  May  26, 
1901,  two  men  fishing  together  caught  4  in  the  forenoon  and  7  in 
the  afternoon;  this  would  be  regarded  as  quite  remarkably  good 
success.  A  very  good  fisherman  who  visited  the  lake  for  a  week 
about  October  16,  1905,  got  10  of  this  fish  in  addition  to  a  few 
of  other  species.  Another  sportsman  who  visited  the  lake  had 
taken  a  particular  fancy  to  this  fish,  and  made  it  the  special  object 
of  his  search.  He  caught  about  21  in  8  weeks  and  regarded  him- 
self as  having  been  quite  successful. 

The  Wall-eye  bites  almost  any  time  during  the  year,  but  the 
best  season  is  in  June  and  during  October  and  November.  They 
are  occasionally  taken  through  the  ice. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         421 

As  to  bait  and  manner  of  fishing,  they  take  readily  to  both 
grasshopper  or  minnow,  and  are  sometimes  taken  trolling  with  the 
spoon.  They  are  usually  caught  slowly  trolling  with  a  live  min- 
now, the  hook  being  sunk  with  heavy  sinker  to  a  depth  of  25  to 
50  feet.  They  are  regarded  as  one  of  the  most  desirable  game- 
fishes  of  the  lake.  Perhaps  one  feels  a  greater  pride  in  having 
landed  a  good-sized  "salmon"  than  with  any  other  fish,  not  except- 
ing even  the  small-mouth  black  bass. 

In  many  respects  the  Wall-eye  is  one  of  the  most  desirable  of  the 
fishes  of  the  lake.  The  fact  that  very  few  are  caught  as  compared 
with  the  bass,  makes  it  difficult  to  compare  them  with  that  fish 
as  many  who  have  fished  for  bass  never  caught  these.  They  are 
generally  regarded  by  those  who  catch  them  as  exceedingly  gamy, 
making  a  good  fight  and  affording  a  great  deal  of  sport.  As  a 
food  fish  they  are  far  superior  to  the  bass,  approaching  their  rela- 
tive, the  perch,  in  this  regard,  and  greatly  exceeding  it  in  weight. 
They  are  the  largest  game  fishes  in  the  lake.  The  average  weight 
is  3  to  5  pounds,  and  they  are  rarely  seen  under  1  pound  in  weight. 
They  have  been  reported  up  to  8|  pounds  and  there  is  an  account 
given  by  an  old  resident  of  the  region  of  one  obtained  a  good  many 
years  ago  which  weighed  11  pounds. 

The  Wall-eye  does  not  weigh  as  heavily  for  its  length  as  the 
bass ;  one  19^  inches  long  weighed  3  pounds,  another  20  inches  long 
weighed  the  same,  and  one  22  inches  long  weighed  3  pounds  12 
ounces.  We  have  the  lengths  of  examples  8,  10,  12|  up  to  19 
inches,  measured  but  not  weighed,  and  of  examples  from  2  to  6^ 
lb.  weighed  but  not  measured. 

Dr.  G.  Brown  Goode  in  his  "American  Fishes"  has  the  follow- 
ing interesting  remarks  concerning  the  flavor  of  the  pike-perch, 

"Wherever  the  pike-perch  is  known  it  is  very  highly  prized.  In 
the  Great  Lakes  region,  S.  vitreiim  ranks  next  in  value  to  the 
white  fish  and  lake  trout." 

He  further  says,  "The  flesh  is  hard,  white,  flaky  and  easy  of 
digestion,  and  has  a  distinctive  flavor  of  its  own,  which  renders 
it  especially  available  for  boiling,  though  often  stuff"ed  and  baked. 
Its  capabilities  are  equal  to  those  of  fresh-caught  cod  or  turbot." 

Concerning  its  gaminess  and  method  of  capture  he  says : 

"A  correspondent  of  the  American  Angler  wrote  sometime  ago 
to  that  journal  that  he  had  fished  the  streams  and  lakes  of  south- 
ern Wisconsin  for  twelve  years,  and  had  found  no  fish  which  af- 
forded him  better  sport  than  the  pike-perch.  It  will  take  the  fly 
as  readily  as  the  brook  trout  or  the  black  bass  and  while  it  will  not 
fight  as  long  as  the  bass,  it  furnishes  the  fly-fisher  with  a  fair 


422         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

amusement,  and  as  a  table  fish  is  infinitely  its  superior.  With  a 
light  rod,  weighing  from  five  to  nine  ounces,  a  four-foot  leader,  and  a 
bass-fly,  this  fish  may  be  readily  taken.  The  angler  should  whip 
the  white  foaming  water  below  a  dam,  on  some  frosty  morning 
using  a  dark  fly  or  cast  upon  the  same  water  toward  evening  with 
a  light  fly.  He  will  learn  that  there  are  new  possibilities  for  him 
in  the  way  of  sport  with  a  rod." 

One  of  the  most  interesting  historical  notes  concerning  the  lake 
relates  to  this  fish.     A  resident  of  the  place  writes : 

''As  for  the  salmon  (wall-eyed  pike)  they  are  a  native  to  Lake 

Maxinkuckee,  also  to  Yellow  River,  Mr. tells  me  he  speared 

them  in  both  places  30  years  or  more  ago.  Other  parties  tell  me 
the  same.  I  met  a  Mr.  Cobin  at  Rochester  in  1892,  and  he  told 
me  that  in  1838  or  '39,  he  and  Attorney  Entline  came  by  our  lake 
on  a  return  trip  from  Illinois,  and  found  a  band  of  Indians  camp- 
ing on  a  hill  west  of  the  lake  and  that  the  bucks  were  killing  fish 
with  clubs  and  bows  and  arrows ;  that  he  never  saw  the  like  of  fish, 
and  that  the  squaws  were  smoking  and  drying  some  for  winter 
use." 

The  Wall-eye  is  one  of  the  principal  fishes  planted  in  the  lake ; 
they  have  been  planted  in  large  numbers  on  several  occasions;  on 
May  14,  1902,  10,000,000  fry  were  planted  in  the  lake. 

A  sudden  chilling  of  the  water  seems  to  benumb  these  fishes 
even  more  than  the  other  fishes  of  the  lake.  In  the  winter  of  1900 
(December  10)  when  the  first  skirt  of  thin  ice  was  formed  about 
the  edge  of  the  lake,  a  large  Wall-eye  was  seen  swimming  along 
under  the  ice  on  its  side.  It  was  easy  to  kick  a  hole  through  the 
ice  and  take  the  fish  out.  It  made  very  little  resistance.  On  No- 
vember 14,  1904,  which  was  about  the  time  the  lake  began  to 
freeze,  while  rowing  to  the  Weedpatch  a  fine  Wall-eye  was  seen 
floating  belly  up.  It  was  able  only  to  flop  feebly  when  lifted  into 
the  boat. 

The  nature  of  the  food  of  the  Wall-eye  can  be  best  judged  by  its 
sharp  strong  teeth.  No  other  fish  in  the  lake  equals  it  in  this 
respect.  Nearly  all  the  stomachs  examined,  however,  were  empty 
or  nearly  so;  a  few  contained  half  digested  minnows  and  some 
contained  crawfishes  or  their  remains.  One  specimen  contained  6 
crawfishes.  It  is  claimed  that  this  fish  while  being  brought 
through  warmer  surface  water  during  the  process  of  capture  gets 
sick  and  disgorges  its  food. 

Nothing  was  learned  of  their  spawning  habits  at  the  lake.  Its 
habits  are,  however,  well  known  in  this  respect,  as  it  was  one  of 
the  first  fishes  experimented  upon  by  American  fish  culturists. 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         423 

The  following  account  of  its  spawn  and  spawning  habits  are 
given  in  Goode's  American  Fishes  (Revised  edition)  : 

"The  eggs  are  from  1  to  14  millimeters  in  diameter  and  light 
golden  yellow  in  color,  and  are  adhesive  like  those  of  the  sea-her- 
ring, clinging  to  stones,  roots,  and  the  stalks  of  water  plants  where 
they  are  deposited  at  a  depth  of  from  three  to  ten  feet.  They 
begin  to  spawn  when  less  than  a  pound  in  weight,  and  each  female 
deposits  from  two  or  three  hundred  thousand  ova.  This  great 
fertility  is  serviceable,  for  no  freshwater  species  is  more  subject 
to  the  fatalities  incident  to  the  spawning  season.  After  storms 
the  shores  of  lakes  are  said  to  be  often  bordered  by  windrows  of 
the  stranded  ova  of  the  pike-perch.  Dr.  Estes  well  describes  the 
destructive  inroads  of  sturgeon,  catfish  and  suckers  upon  the 
spawning  beds  in  Lake  Pepin.  He  estimates  that  'not  one-fourth 
of  the  eggs  remain  to  be  hatched.'  He  quotes  Dr.  Estes  as  say- 
ing that  'Just  as  soon  as  the  lake  is  well  closed  over  with  the  ice, 
they  leave  the  deep  water  and  resort  to  the  sand-bars  where  they 
remain  until  spring.  It  seems  a  fact  that  they  select  and  take 
possession  of  the  spawning  beds  fully  three  months  before  they 
are  needed  for  use.  I  have  carefully  observed  this  habit  for  more 
than  twenty-five  years,  and  each  year's  observation  is  confirmatory. 
In  the  first  place  we  do  not  take  them  on  these  bars  in  summer, 
and  again  two-thirds  of  all  that  are  taken  from  the  beginning  of 
winter  to  spring  are  females,  proving  conclusively  that  they  thus 
early  select  these  bars  as  spawning  grounds.  I  have  often  visited 
them  as  early  as  May  (the  spawning  season  in  Lake  Pepin  is  from 
the  first  to  the  fifteenth  of  April  or  even  earlier)  but  failed  to  find 
the  fish,  while,  from  the  closing  of  the  lakes  to  March,  they  are 
often  found  in  great  numbers.' " 

Dr.  Goode  further  says  that  "The  pike-perches  are  never  taken 
in  large  numbers  for  use  in  commerce  except  during  the  spawning 
season,  or  immediately  before  it,  and  like  the  perch,  they  are  in  the 
finest  condition  when  full-roed." 

The  Pike-perch  is  very  free  from  parasitic  copepods  or  fish- 
lice,  although  a  few  examples  contained  Ergasilus  on  the  gills.  One 
or  two  examples  seen  had  leeches  attached  to  the  fins.  They  seem 
to  be  nearly  or  wholly  free  from  distomids  and  Acanthocephali. 
They  are,  however,  subject  to  infection  with  tapeworms  to  a  re- 
markable degree,  and  nearly  all  of  the  individuals  examined  had 
the  stomach  and  intestines  swarming  with  multitudes  of  these 
parasites. 

Head  3.6  in  length;  depth  about  4.5;  eye  shorter  than  snout, 
4.5  in  head;  D.  XH  to  XVI-19  to  21 ;  A.  H,  12  to  14;  scales  10-110 


424         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Siirvey 

to  132-25,  83  to  95  pores ;  bodj^  slender,  becoming  compressed  with 
age ;  the  back  somewhat  arched ;  cheeks  and  upper  surface  of  head 
nearly  naked;  dorsal  spines  high,  more  than  half  length  of  head; 
dorsal  fins  well  separated,  the  interspace  between  them  greater 
than  diameter  of  eye;  the  last  dorsal  spine  scarcely  erectile;  soft 
dorsal  nearly  as  long  as  spinous  dorsal;  anal  longer  than  high; 
pyloric  coeca  3,  rather  long.  Color  dark  olive,  finely  mottled  with 
brassy,  the  latter  color  forming  indistinct  oblique  lines;  sides  of 
head  more  or  less  vermiculated ;  lower  jaw  flesh-colored ;  belly  and 
lower  fins  pinkish;  spinous  dorsal  with  a  large  jet-black  blotch  on 
the  membrane  of  the  last  2  or  3  spines,  otherwise  nearly  plain ;  sec- 
ond dorsal  and  caudal  mottled  olive  and  yellowish ;  base  of  pectoral 
dusky,  without  distinct  black  blotch. 

54.     YELLOW  PERCH 

PERCA    FLAVESCENS    (MitchiU) 

(Plates  31  and  32) 

The  Yellow  Perch  is  found  throughout  the  eastern  United 
States,  chiefly  northward  and  eastward.  It  is  abundant  in  the 
Great  Lakes  and  in  the  larger  coastwise  streams  and  lakes  from 
Nova  Scotia  to  North  Carolina ;  also  in  most  of  the  small  lakes  in 
the  upper  Mississippi  Valley,  especially  in  northern  Indiana,  Illi- 
nois, Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Minnesota  and  Iowa.  It  is  also  found 
in  some  of  the  streams  of  this  region,  but  is  by  preference  a  lake 
fish.  It  is  not  known  from  the  Ohio  River  nor  from  the  lower 
Missouri.  In  most  of  the  New  England  lakes  and  those  of  New 
York  it  is  an  abundant  and    well-known  fish. 

At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  the  Yellow  Perch  is  the  most  abundant 
and  best  known  fish.  It  is  simply  called  "perch"  here,  as  there 
is  no  other  perch  present  from  which  it  is  necessary  to  distinguish 
it.  The  Perch  seem  to  be  less  abundant  and  of  smaller  size  than 
formerly.  During  the  seining  operations  of  1899-1900,  the  total 
number  caught  was  4544,  one  or  more  examples  were  caught  in 
each  of  282  of  the  612  hauls,  and  the  greatest  number  taken  in 
one  haul  was  141. 

Perch  are  found  in  abundance  in  all  parts  of  the  lake,  though 
they  live  by  preference  in  the  shallower  water  and  about  the  weedy 
bars.  One  of  the  pondweeds  (Potamogeton  americanus)  of  the  lake 
is  known  as  "perch  weed"  from  the  fact  that  Perch  are  frequently 
to  be  found  in  especial  abundance  where  it  grows. 

In  rowing  about  the  lake  this  is  the  fish  most  often  seen  in  the 
shallow  water,  and  it  is  frequently  seen  in  large  schools  under  the 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         425 

clear  ice.     The  Perch  ai-o  quite  lively  under  the  ice  and  dart  away 
at  a  good  rate  of  speed. 

There  is  no  other  fish  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee  so  well  known  or 
held  in  such  universal  favor  and  esteem  as  the  Yellow  Perch.  It 
is  known  to,  and  appreciated  by,  every  one  who  comes  to  the  lake, 
from  the  expert  and  professional  angler  to  the  casual  visitor  who 
only  sees  the  fishes  in  the  clear  shallow  water  as  he  saunters  along 
the  shore.  The  angler  does  not  disdain  it  because  it  will  take  the 
fly  and  possesses  some  qualities  of  gameness;  the  amateur  likes 
it  because  it  enables  him  to  make  good  when  better  fish  refuse  to 
bite;  the  novice  is  pleased  with  it  because  he  can  usually  catch 
more  of  it  than  he  believed  it  possible  for  him  to  catch  of  any 
species;  the  women  and  children  are  delighted  with  it  because  all 
fish  are  good  that  come  their  way  and  they  can  catch  them  from 
the  ends  of  the  piers ;  it  appeals  to  the  farmer-fisherman  with  the 
long  cane  pole  because  it  shares  with  the  bluegill  the  honor  of 
making  up  the  bulk  of  the  bushel  of  fish  in  the  gunny-sack  which 
he  usually  takes  home  at  the  end  of  the  day's  fishing.  It  appeals 
to  everybody  because  it  will  bite  when  all  else  fails ;  because  it  is 
gamy  enough  to  suit  anyone  except  the  most  exacting,  and  be- 
cause there  is  none  more  delicious. 

The  Perch  can  be  caught  almost  every  day  in  the  year  and  by 
all  manner  of  bait  and  methods  of  fishing.  They  can  be  caught 
trolling,  still-fishing  or  casting,  and  can  be  taken  in  great  numbers 
through  the  ice.  In  the  matter  of  bait,  they  will  take  fishworms, 
mussels,  minnows,  the  spoon,  the  fly,  grasshoppers,  cut  bait,  or 
probably  anything  else  offered.  The  Perch  is  a  fearless  fish  and 
by  letting  down  a  baited  hook  over  the  edge  of  the  boat  in  clear 
water,  one  can  look  down  and  see  these  fish  come  up  and  take  the 
bait.  They  usually  take  a  small  minnow  with  a  dash  and  gulp  and 
in  such  cases  are  caught  deep.  If  cut  bait  is  used,  especially  if 
it  is  large,  they  come  somewhat  with  a  dash  and  then  nibble  about 
the  edges  of  the  bait,  frequently  catching  hold  of  it  and  shaking 
it  as  a  terrier  does  a  rat.  In  angling  with  the  cork  float,  the 
characteristic  "perch  nibble"  consisting  of  a  rapid  bobbing  of  the 
cork,  separated  by  short  intervals  of  rest  and  terminated  by  a  long 
pull  when  the  fish  is  hooked,  is  easy  to  learn  and  recognize.  The 
Perch  are  usually  in  schools ;  often  several  perch,  especially  if  they 
are  small,  can  be  seen  wrestling  with  the  same  bait  at  the  same 
time. 

The  Yellow  Perch  is  known  in  various  localities  by  diff"erent 
names,  such  as  Yellow  Perch,  Red  Perch,  Ringed  Perch  or  Ring 
Perch,  and  Raccoon  Perch.     Wherever  it  is  found  it  is  the  perch 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         427 

par  excellence.  It  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  and  best  known 
of  freshwater  fishes.  Its  usual  length  is  10  to  14  inches  and  its 
weight  I  to  2  pounds.  Examples  of  3  and  4  pounds,  however,  have 
been  recorded.  The  largest  examples  of  which  we  have  a  definite 
record  are  one  of  4\  pounds  recorded  by  Dr.  Goode,  caught  in 
Delaware  Bay,  by  Dr.  C.  C.  Abbott,  and  another  reported  to  us 
by  Dr.  F.  A.  Lucas,  taken  at  Morey's  Hole,  Massachusetts,  and 
weighing  3  pounds  and  2  oz.  The  Yellow  Perch  of  Europe  seems 
to  grow  much  larger,  examples  of  as  great  as  8  and  9  pounds  hav- 
ing been  recorded.  The  European  perch  is  not  so  brightly  colored 
as  ours. 

As  a  pan-fish  v/e  do  not  know  of  any  better  among  American 
freshwater  fishes.  The  senior  author  has  experimented  with  the 
Yellow  Perch  and  several  other  species,  including  both  species  of 
black  bass,  the  bluegill,  wall-eyed  pike  and  rock  bass,  eating  each 
for  several  days  in  succession,  and  has  found  the  Yellow  Perch 
the  sweetest  and  most  delicious  of  them  all.  One  does  not  tire  of 
it  so  soon  as  of  the  other  kinds.  Several  other  persons  who  tried 
the  same  experiment  reached  the  same  conclusion.  In  most  parts 
of  its  range  it  is  highly  esteemed,  and  in  many  places  it  is  of  very 
considerable  commercial  importance.  In  the  Great  Lakes,  the 
Potomac  River  and  the  small  lakes  in  the  upper  Mississippi  Val- 
ley, large  quantities  are  taken,  which  always  find  a  ready  sale. 

The  diet  of  the  Perch  is  exceedingly  varied.  In  late  autumn 
when  they  come  near  shore  they  subsist  almost  entirely  on  craw- 
fishes, and  these  form  the  greater  portion  of  their  food  the  year 
round.  They  also  were  found  to  contain  minnows,  the  larvae  of 
May-flies,  dragon-flies  and  caddis-flies,  and  quite  frequently  small 
mollusks  of  various  sorts,  such  as  Physa  and  Sph?erium.  They  also 
occasionally  contain  small  worms,  young  of  other  fishes  such  as  sun- 
fishes,  and  one  contained  a  stickleback.  One  was  found  dead 
choked  on  a  Johnny  darter. 

The  Perch  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee  seem  to  be  quite  free  from 
diseases  and  parasites.  One  found  dying  on  shore  contained  what 
appeared  to  be  cysts  in  the  liver;  this  was  the  only  diseased  one 
seen.  A  large  number  caught  in  the  fall  at  the  edge  of  Lake 
Michigan  in  1903  were  examined,  and  nearly  every  one  had  one  or 
more  white  cyst-like  objects  imbedded  near  the  eye,  probably  due 
to  Myxosporidia,  but  no  such  phenomenon  was  noted  at  Lake  I\Iax- 
inkuckee.  In  some  other  lakes,  particularly  in  New  England,  New 
York  and  Wisconsin,  the  Yellow  Perch  are  frequently  infested 
with  tapeworms  or  other  parasites  which  are  found  in  the  flesh. 
This  condition  is  most  apt  to  occur  in  ponds  in  which  the  water 


428         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

becomes  rather  warm  and  foul  in  the  summer  or  early  fall  and  in 
which  the  fish  are  crowded.  The  presence  of  the  parasites  is 
usually  only  temporary  and  need  cause  no  particular  annoyance, 
and  none  whatever,  if  the  parasites  escape  observation. 

The  spawning  time  of  the  Yellow  Perch  is  early  in  the  spring-, 
soon  after  the  ice  has  disappeared.  The  egg-masses  are  among 
the  most  remarkable  among  those  of  freshwater  fishes.  The  spawai 
is  in  a  single  piece  or  mass,  a  "much-elongated  ribbon-like  structure, 
of  a  semi-transparent  light  grayish  color.  One  end,  corresponding 
to  the  anterior  part  of  the  roe,  is  larger  than  the  other,  and  is 
bluntly  forked.  The  spring  is  very  long,  but  may  be  compressed 
lengthwise  by  virtue  of  an  arrangement  into  regular  transverse 
folds  like  the  sides  of  a  bellows  or  accordion.  When  deposited  the 
eggs  are  in  a  loose  globular  form,  and  after  being  fertilized  and  be- 
coming 'water-hard',  their  mass  rapidly  becomes  many  times  larger 
than  the  fish  which  laid  them.  The  length  of  the  strings  is  from 
2  to  more  than  7  feet,  depending  on  the  size  of  the  fish.  One  fish 
in  an  aquarium  at  Washington  deposited  a  string  of  eggs  88  inches 
long,  4  inches  wide  at  one  end  and  2  feet  at  the  other,  whose 
weight  after  fertilization  was  41  ounces,  while  the  weight  of  the 
fish  before  the  escape  of  the  eggs  w^as  only  24  ounces. 

A  cavity  extends  the  whole  length  of  the  egg  mass,  its  walls 
being  formed  by  the  delicate  membrane  in  which  the  eggs  are  em- 
bedded. The  cavity  is  almost  closed,  small  apertures  occurring 
irregularly,  which  have  the  appearance  of  being  accidental,  but 
may  be  natural,  in  order  to  permit  the  circulation  of  water  on 
the  inside  of  the  mass. 

The  egg-string  is  quite  light  and  resilient  or  springy,  the 
least  agitation  of  the  water  causing  a  quivering  motion  of  the 
whole  mass. 

The  diameter  of  the  egg  is  1  13  inch.  The  quantity  can  not 
be  easily  measured,  but  the  number  is  approximately  28,000  to  a 
quart. 

Head  3.25 ;  depth  3.25 ;  D.  XIII  to  XV,  13  to  15 ;  A.  II,  7  or  8 ; 
scales  7-74  to  88-17,  54  to  62  with  pores ;  back  highest  at  origin  of 
spinous  dorsal,  which  is  more  or  less  behind  insertion  of  pectoral ; 
profile  convex  from  dorsal  to  occiput,  thence  concave  anteriorly, 
the  snout  projecting,  a  little  longer  than  eye;  mouth  somewhat 
oblique,  maxillary  not  quite  reaching  opposite  middle  of  orbit ;  gill- 
rakers  X  -f  15,  the  longest  I  to  |  length  of  branchial  filaments ; 
cheeks  closely  scaled  throughout,  the  scales  imbricated;  opercular 
striae  and  rugosities  on  top  of  head  well  marked;  first  anal  spine 
longer  than  first  dorsal  spine ;  first  dorsal  spine  inserted  above 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         429 

or  a  little  behind  base  of  pectoral ;  pseudobranehise  quite  small. 
Back  dark  olivaceous ;  sides  golden  yellow ;  belly  pale ;  side  with 
6  or  8  broad,  dark  bars,  which  extend  from  the  back  to  below  the 
axis  of  the  body ;  lower  fins  largely  red  or  orange ;  upper  fins 
olivaceous ;  the  spinous  dorsal  dusky,  usually  with  a  narrow  color- 
less triangle  behind  each  spine,  and  with  or  without  a  distinct 
black  spot  on  its  anterior  or  posterior  part. 

55.     LOG  PERCH 

PERCINA    CAPRODES    (Rafincsque) 

(Plate  33) 

The  Log  Perch  is  abundant  almost  everywhere  in  the  Great 
Lakes  and  streams  of  the  south  and  west  from  Quebec  to  Lake 
Superior  and  Iowa  and  south  to  Mississippi  and  the  Rio  Grande, 
chiefly  in  swift  gravelly  streams  of  some  depth. 

This  species,  represented  by  the  subspecies  zebra  or  the  Mani- 
tou  darter,  was  very  abundant  in  the  lake  in  1899-1900.  In  the 
seining  operations  one  oi'  more  examples  were  obtained  in  143  out 
of  the  612  hauls  made — 2,310  were  obtained  altogether,  the  great- 
est number  taken  in  any  single  haul  being  310.  During  the  prog- 
ress of  the  work  after  1900,  however,  not  so  many  were  obtained. 
They  ordinarily  remain  in  shallow  water  near  shore.  They  are 
often  seen  during  April  and  the  early  part  of  May.  The  first  one 
seen  in  1901  was  on  April  6 ;  this  was  found  dead  and  was  quite 
full  of  eggs.  From  this  time  on  till  early  May  these  fishes  crowded 
up  in  immense  schools  at  the  mouths  of  the  various  inlets  of  the 
lake.  Large  schools  were  noted  at  the  mouth  of  the  ditch  by  Far- 
rar's,  at  the  mouth  of  Aubeenaubee  Creek,  and  even  at  the  mouth  of 
a  tile  by  the  depot  grounds.  When  the  fish  were  frightened  they 
darted  rapidly  up  stream.  On  April  11,  1901,  29  were  caught  with 
a  dip-net  at  the  mouth  of  Aubeenaubee  Creek,  and  were  measured. 
The  longest  was  4.25  inches  long  and  the  shortest  3i  inches;  the 
greater  number  were  3|  and  3|-  inches  long.  The  females  were 
quite  plump,  and  contained  large  numbers  of  eggs.  The  eggs  were 
rather  pale  in  color,  about  22  to  the  inch,  and  were  very  numerous ; 
in  one  case  the  number  of  eggs  in  a  single  fish  was  estimated  at 
8,172.  In  darting  up  the  streams  they  sometimes  went  with  such 
an  impetuous  rush  that  some  would  get  stranded  on  the  shore.  On 
April  29,  a  few  were  seen  along  the  north  shore  and  they  were 
abundant  where  springs  entered  the  lake.  Although  they  are  not 
ordinarily  seen  in  small  creeks,  some  were  seen  in  the  small  creek 
on  the  noi'th   shore  of  the  lake  west  of  the   Palmer   House  on 


430         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

May  3.  Quite  a  number  were  seen  May  17,  resting  on  the  top  of 
rocks  in  about  6  feet  of  water,  and  they  were  occasionally  seen  on 
rocks  in  the  bottom  through  clear  ice  during  the  winter  of  1904.  A 
few  were  obtained  while  seining  for  minnows  along  Long  Point 
and  the  Gravelpit  in  1906.  They  are  quite  active  during  the  win- 
ter, and  not  torpid  as  many  fishes  are. 

This  fish  subsists  chiefly  on  small  animals.  Five  examples 
from  2.5  to  3.75  inches  long,  captured  August  3,  contained  the 
remains  of  insects  or  insect  larvae;  of  two  2.25  and  2,75  inches  long, 
one  contained  several  Bosminia,  1  Daphnia,  Chironomus  larvae,  and 
a  beach  flea,  the  smalle]'  one  contained  12  beach  fleas. 

The  Log  Perch  is  infested  to  some  degree  by  trematodes  which 
form  small  black  spots  in  the  skin,  but  it  is  not  so  susceptible  to 
the  attacks  of  these  parasites  as  some  of  the  other  darters. 

The  Log  Perch,  although  one  of  the  largest  of  the  darters, 
probably  never  exceeds  9  or  10  inches  in  length.  It  is  scarcely 
large  enough  to  be  of  any  value  as  a  food-fish.  It  will  occasionally 
take  the  hook,  but  its  small  size  precludes  the  exhibition  of  any 
considerable  game  qualities. 

"The  Log  Perch  is  the  giant  of  the  family*,  the  most  of  a  fish, 
and  therefore  the  least  of  a  darter.  It  may  be  readily  known  by 
its  zebra-like  colors.  Its  hue  is  pale  olive,  silvery  below,  darker 
above.  On  this  ground  color  are  about  15  black  vertical  bars  or 
incomplete  rings,  alternating  with  as  many  shorter  bars  which 
reach  only  halfway  down  the  side.  The  hindmost  bar  forms  a 
mere  spot  on  the  base  of  the  tail,  and  there  are  many  dots  and 
speckles  on  the  fins.  The  body  is  long  and  slender,  spindle-shaped, 
and  firm  and  wiry  to  the  touch.  The  head  is  flat  on  top  and 
tapers  into  a  flat-pointed  snout  which  is  squared  off  at  the  end  like 
the  snout  of  a  pig,  and  this  resemblance  is  heightened  by  the  form 
of  the  small  mouth  underneath  it.  From  this  pig-like  snout  has 
come  the  scientific  name  caprodes.  This  is  a  translation  of  the 
older  name  of  'hogfish',  which  Rafinesque  heard  applied  to  it  in 
his  time  and  which  is  still  used  in  the  same  regions,  Percina 
reaches  a  length  of  6  or  8  inches  and  it  may  readily  be  caught  on  a 
small  hook  baited  with  a  worm.  We  often  meet  an  urchin  with 
two  or  three  of  them  strung  through  the  gills  on  a  forked  stick 
along  with  the  'red-eyes',  'stonetoters',  'hornyheads',  and  other 
'boys'  fish'.  We  find  Percina  usually  in  rapid  and  rather  deep 
water.  We  rarely  find  them  small  enough  for  ordinary  aquarium 
purposes;  and  the  living  specimen  before  us,  though  wonderfully 
quick  and  graceful  in  its  movements,  has  shown  little  that  is  note- 

*  Except  the   laie    Percina    rr.r,   describerl    after   the   above   was   written. 


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Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and.  Biological  Survey         431 

worthy,  save  his  courage,  his  fondness  for  angleworms,  and  a 
possible  disposition  to  bury  himself  in  the  sand.  There  is  some- 
thing in  the  expression  of  his  face,  as  he  rests  on  his  'hands  and 
feet'  on  a  stone,  that  is  remarkably  lizard-like,  suggesting  the 
Blue-tailed  Skink  (Eumeces  fasciatus) ." — Jordan  and  Copeland, 
1876. 

Head  4  to  4,25  in  length ;  depth  6.5  to  7 ;  eye  4,3  in  head ;  snout 
3;  maxillary  3.75;  D.  XV-14;  A.  II,  10;  scales  9-90-9,  the  nape 
naked,  the  middle  cf  the  belly  with  a  row  of  enlarged  stellate  scales 
which  are  finally  shed  leaving  a  naked  strip ;  body  elongate,  com- 
pressed ;  head  long  and  pointed,  depressed  and  sloping  above,  the 
interorbital  space  rather  broad  and  concave;  mouth  small,  quite 
inferior,  maxillary  not  reaching  to  the  front  of  the  eye;  cheeks 
naked  or  with  a  few  rudimentary  scales ;  nape  naked ;  opercles 
scaly ;  chest  naked ;  fins  rather  low,  pectoral  somewhat  shorter 
than  head;  caudal  truncate. 

Ground  color  yellowish,  with  about  fifteen  transverse  dark 
bands  from  the  back  to  about  the  lateral  line,  these  usually  alter- 
nating with  shorter  and  fainter  ones;  a  black  spot  at  base  of 
caudal ;  fins  barred.     Length  6  to  8  inches. 

56.     BLACK-SIDED  DARTER 

HADROPTERUS  ASPRO    (Cope  &   Jordan) 

(Plate  33) 

The  Black-sided  Darter  is  found  from  the  Great  Lakes  region 
to  the  middle  Missouri,  northward  to  Minnesota  and  southward 
through  Missouri,  Indiana  and  Kentucky  to  Arkansas,  and  is  es- 
pecially common  in  the  Ohio  Valley,  and  is  usually  abundant  in 
clear  gravelly  streams.  It  has  not  so  far  been  found  in  Lake  Max- 
inkuckee or  any  of  its  inlets ;  several  specimens  have,  however,  been 
taken  from  the  Outlet  of  Lost  Lake. 

In  the  summer  of  1906,  one  of  the  fishermen  residing  near  the 
lake  spoke  of  some  queer  fishes  he  had  seen  on  several  occasions 
while  seining  in  the  Outlet,  and  which  he  regarded  as  of  no  value 
for  bait.  It  was  thought  from  his  brief  description  that  the  fishes 
mentioned  were  probably  the  blob  (Cottus  ictalojjs)  no  specimens 
of  which  had  been  obtained  in  the  region. 

The  fisherman  was  therefore  accompanied  on  his  next  seining 
trip  (September  11,  1906)  and  a  number  of  the  fishes  were  se- 
cured. They  proved  to  be  darters  of  various  species ;  among  them 
were  11  which  proved  to  be  the  Black-sided  Darter.  Associated 
with  these  11  Black-sided  Darters  were  7  of  its  near  relative,  H. 

28^17618 


432         Lake  Maxhikuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

scierus.  On  a  later  visit  to  the  same  place  (October  7,  1907), 
two  large  fine  darters  were  secured,  one  H.  aspro,  and  the  other 
H.  scierus. 

The  separation  of  these  two  species  was  made  with  some  diffi- 
culty, and  the  indications  are  that  they  intergrade ;  this  indeed 
was  suggested  long  ago  by  Jordan  and  Gilbert  in  their  description 
of  the  subspecies  Hadropterus  scierus  serrula.  In  nearly  all  the 
features  in  which  this  subspecies  differs  from  the  species  to  which 
it  is  assigned — the  smaller  scales,  the  naked  breast,  and  relatively 
weaker  serrulations  of  the  opercle — it  approaches  the  general  type 
of  H.  aspro.  So  far  as  descriptions  go  it  would  be  difficult  to  say 
whether  the  subspecies  in  question  belonged  to  aspro  or  scierus. 
We  have  divided  our  specimens  according  to  the  presence  or  ab- 
sence of  stellate  processes  along  the  ventral  line.  This  is  a  vari- 
able feature,  as  these  structures  differ  both  in  number  and  degree 
of  development.  All  other  characters  separating  the  species  are 
equally  or  even  more  variable.  The  fishes  identified  as  H.  scierus 
seem  in  general  to  have  the  gill-openings  more  broadly  united,  al- 
though this  is  not  invariably  the  case.  The  scales  seem  somewhat 
more  regular  along  the  dorsal  line  in  aspro  than  in  scierus.  In 
scierus  there  are  frequently  small  rudimentary  scales  intercalated 
along  the  sides  of  the  dorsal  fins,  breaking  up  the  diagonal  series 
and  making  it  difficult  to  follow  them.  This  does  not  appear  to 
be  so  pronounced  in  aspro. 

The  distinguishing  character  of  the  serrulate  preopercle  is 
qualified  in  current  descriptions  by  the  expression  "more  or  less" 
and  is  said  to  vary  with  age.  Our  specimens  of  scierus  vary  con- 
siderably in  this  respect.  None  is  so  distinctly  or  closely  serrulate 
as  in  the  type ;  some  are  almost  entire ;  some  rather  rough,  the 
roughness  being  rather  crenulate  than  serrulate,  and  the  preopercle 
on  one  side  may  be  considerably  more  roughened  than  that  of 
the  other  side  in  the  same  specimen.  A  pretty  constant  difference 
between  the  species  is  the  presence  or  absence  of  scales  on  the 
breast;  however,  one  of  our  specimens  which  on  account  of  the 
sum  total  of  other  characters  we  have  placed  with  aspro,  has  the 
breast  scaled ;  the  mouths  of  our  specimens  average  about  the  same 
in  both  species ;  they  may  average  somewhat  larger  in  our  aspro 
lot ;  however,  both  the  largest  mouthed  and  smallest  mouthed  indi- 
viduals in  the  collection  belong  to  those  identified  as  aspro.  The 
dorsal  fins  are  about  equally  separated  in  both  species,  or  rather 
about  equally  close  together  there  is  usually  hardly  the  width  of 
a  scale  between  them ;  the  two  specimens  which  have  these  fins  far- 
thest apart  belong  to  the  aspro  series. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         433 

"The  fine  gentleman  of  the  family  is  the  Black-sided  Darter 
(Hadropterus  asjjro) .  Him  we  may  know  by  his  colors.*  The 
ground  hue  is  a  salmon  yellow ;  the  back  is  regularly  and  beautifully 
marbled  with  black  in  a  peculiar  and  handsome  pattern.  On  the 
sides,  from  the  head  to  the  tail,  runs  a  jet-black  band,  which  is 
widened  at  intervals  into  rounded  spots  which  contrast  sharply 
with  the  silvery  color  of  the  belly ;  or  we  may  say  that  on  each  side 
is  a  chain  of  confluent  round  black  blotches.  Sometimes  the  fishes 
seem  to  fade  out ;  these  blotches  grow  pale  and  no  longer  meet,  but 
in  an  instant  they  may  regain  their  original  form  and  shade.  This 
latter  change  can  be  induced  by  the  offer  of  food,  and  it  is  of  course 
due  to  muscular  action  on  the  scales  which  cover  the  darker  pig- 
ment. A  male  in  our  aquarium  underwent  almost  instantly  an  en- 
tire change  of  coloration  upon  the  introduction  of  a  female  fish  of 
the  same  species  recognized  by  him  as  his  affinity.  Although  the 
two  have  been  together  for  some  weeks,  the  novelty  has  not  yet 
worn  off,  and  although  his  colors  vary  much  from  one  hour  to 
another,  he  has  never  yet  quite  reverted  to  his  original  hues.  The 
form  of  the  Black-sided  Darter  is  more  graceful  than  that  of 
any  other,  and  his  movements  have  little  of  that  angular  jerki- 
ness  which  characterizes  his  relatives.  The  fins  of  Hadropterus, 
like  those  of  Percina,  are  long  and  large,  the  number  of  dorsal 
spines  being  about  14.  A  notable  peculiarity  in  both  species  is 
the  presence  of  a  row  of  shields,  or  enlarged  scales,  along  the 
middle  line  of  the  abdomen.  These  may  help  to  protect  that  part 
from  the  friction  of  the  stony  bottom.  They  seem  to  be  shed  some- 
times, but  when  or  why  this  happens  we  do  not  know.  Hadi'op- 
terus  delights  in  clear  running  water  and  may  be  found  in  most 
streams  south  and  west  of  New  York.  It  is  especially  desirable 
for  aquaria,  being  hardier  than  any  other  fish  as  pretty,  and 
prettier  than  any  other  fish  as  hardy,  and  withal  with  'a  way  of 
his  own,'  as  an  Irish  laborer,  Barney  Mullins,  once  said  to  us  of 
Thoreau." — Jordan  and  Copeland.  1876. 

57.     DUSKY  DARTER 

HADROPTERUS  SCIERUS  Swain 

No  specimens  seen  in  the  lake ;  found  only  in  Outlet  Creek 
below  Lost  Lake. 

Attention  has  already  been  called  to  the  close  relationship  of 
this  species  and  the  preceding,  and  to  the  probability  that  they  are 
connected  by  intermediate  forms.     This  opinion  is  the  result  of  an 

*  This  is   no   lonccr  the   case   since   H.   scicrus   and   //.    iiia.ii)tl:iickicttsis   have  been    described. 


434         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

examination  of  the  type  of  H.  scierus  and  a  comparison  of  it  with 
numerous  specimens  both  of  H.  asvro  and  H.  scierus.  The  type  of 
H.  scierms  has  faded  so  that  little  can  be  judged  concerning  its 
colors.  It  is  still  in  a  perfect  state  of  preservation,  though  some- 
what soft. 

The  mouth  does  not  differ  greatly  in  size  from  those  of  our 
specimens  of  both  species.  The  maxillary  extends  almost  to  the 
vertical  of  the  anterior  of  the  orbit,  and  the  statement  in  the 
original  description  "maxillary  not  reaching  the  eye  by  about  the 
width  of  the  pupil",  evidently  does  not  refer  to  the  vertical  from 
the  anterior  edge  of  eye,  but  to  the  width  of  the  preorbital.  The 
statement  that  the  "spinous  dorsal  [is]  separated  from  the  soft 
dorsal  by  the  length  of  the  snout"  is  true  only  if  the  spinous  dorsal 
is  supposed  to  end  at  the  base  of  the  last  spine;  the  mem- 
brane of  the  spinous  dorsal  is  attached  very  nearly  to  the 
origin  of  the  soft  dorsal,  there  being  barely  more  than  the  width 
of  a  scale  between  them.  This  is  well  shown  in  the  very  good 
figure  of  Hadropterus  scierus  in  Jordan  and  Evermann's  Fishes 
of  North  and  Middle  America.  As  has  been  said,  the  union  of  the 
gill-membranes  is  a  variable  feature. 

The  following  is  a  description  drawn  up  from  an  examination 
of  5  Outlet  specimens : 

Head  4  in  length ;  depth  6.1 ;  eye  3.9  to  4.8  in  head ;  snout  3.9 
to  4.6 ;  maxillary  3.5  to  4  in  head,  almost  or  wholly  reaching  to  a 
vertical  with  anterior  of  eye;  mandible  2.5  to  3;  interorbital  5.1 
to  5.5,  preorbital  7.1  to  9.1;  dorsal  XI  to  XIII-11  to  13;  scales  6 
to  9-62  to  69-10,  5  to  7  rows  of  minute  scales  on  cheek;  6  or  7 
larger  scales  on  opercle ;  12  to  15  rows  of  scales  before  dorsal ;  no 
row  of  scales  along  median  dorsal  line,  but  a  row  along  each  side; 
scales  small  and  crowded  in  front  of  dorsal,  the  scales  in  the  lateral 
line  somewhat  smaller  than  the  other  scales  of  the  body,  thus  break- 
ing the  alignment  of  the  diagonal  rows;  small  intercalated  scales 
along  base  of  dorsal,  breaking  up  the  regularity  of  the  series ; 
snout  and  interorbital  space  naked ;  occiput  naked,  this  portion  fre- 
quently transparent  so  that  the  outlines  of  the  underlying  brain 
can  readily  be  seen;  scales  rather  small,  each  scale  with  2  or  3 
fine  concentric  lines  around  the  center,  the  whole  margin  of  the 
scale,  about  i  of  the  way  to  the  center,  rough,  the  roughness  con- 
sisting of  radiating  faintly  beaded  ridges  terminating  in  small 
stout  spines  which  project  from  the  entire  free  circumference  of 
the  scale,  the  scale  somewhat  irregularly  beaded  in  front  of  the 
center ;  throat,  chin  and  fin  membranes  naked ;  breast  with  minute 
embedded  scales;  one  to  3  large  stellate  chevron-like  scales  be- 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         435 

tween  ventrals;  median  line  of  belly  between  ventrals  and  vent 
with  from  a  few  to  14  stellate  projections,  these  projections  vary- 
ing in  degree  of  development  and  finely  granular  at  base,  the 
granulations  probably  representing  the  beading  of  normal  scales. 
Distance  between  dorsals  very  short,  from  one  to  a  few  scales  in 
width;  longest  do]'sal  spine  (one  of  the  median  spines,  varying 
in  different  specimens)  1.8  to  2.2  in  head,  base  of  spinous  dorsal 
longer  than  head,  3.75  in  length  and  extending  over  from  21  to  30 
rows  of  scales;  longest  dorsal  ray  1.3  to  2.1  in  head;  base  of  soft 
dorsal  1.4  to  1.75  in  head,  covering  about  15  rows  of  scales;  pec- 
toral rather  acute,  with  12  to  15  rays,  length  1.2  to  1.4  in  head, 
the  tip  not  reaching  tips  of  ventrals ;  ventrals  1,  5,  acute,  spine  3.3 
in  head,  longest  ray  1.4  in  head,  reaching  about  I  way  to  vent ; 
caudal  lobes  1.3  to  1.6  in  head,  the  fin  slightly  emarginate,  the 
lobes  broadly  rounded. 

Color  in  spirits:  Upper  part  of  head  to  middle  of  eye  dusky, 
rather  coarsely  punctulate ;  upper  part  of  back  with  black  bands  of 
uniform  width  (about  2  scales  wide)  arranged  in  regular  festoons; 
interspaces  whitish  or  yellowish ;  under  parts  whitish,  rather  re- 
motely punctulate  under  magnification,  the  punctulations  somewhat 
more  crowded  along  ventral  line,  especially  near  the  vent,  and  still 
more  so  along  the  base  of  the  anal  fin  and  occasionally  in  spots 
along  the  caudal  peduncle,  causing  these  portions  to  be  somewhat 
decidedly  darker.  A  black  band  along  middle  of  side,  expanding 
at  intervals  forming  a  row  of  about  7  round  confluent  blotches,  the 
largest  of  these  being  about  6  scales  in  width  by  the  same  distance 
along  lateral  line;  dorsals  and  anal  dark  at  base  with  irregular 
dusky  mottling  near  margin ;  pectorals  and  ventrals  somewhat 
dusky;  caudal  with  a  marginal  and  2  submarginal  dusky  bands 
parallel  with  the  edge  of  the  fin  and  separated  by  similarly  shaped 
paler  interspaces. 

58.     MAXINKUCKEE  DARTER 

HADROPTERUS  MAXINKUCKIENSIS  Evermann 

So  far  as  general  appearance  and  coloration  go,  the  ]\Iaxin- 
kuckee  Darter  very  closely  resembles  H.  uspro  and  H.  scierus. 
There  are,  however,  a  few  diagnostic  marks  that  enable  one  to 
distinguish  it  at  once.  The  larger  scales,  the  free  gill-membranes, 
the  smooth  preopercle  and  the  united  dorsal  fins  are  all  diagnostic 
characters.  The  large  mouth,  with  the  maxillary  extending  back- 
ward to  the  vertical  of  the  anterior  edge  of  the  pupil,  is  the  most 
striking.  In  the  color  pattern,  this  fish  differs  from  the  species 
mentioned,  in   having  the   caudal    irregularly   mottled   instead   of 


436 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


barred.  It  also  has  a  distinct  black  line  projecting  from  the  eye 
downward  across  the  cheek,  a  feature  sometimes  hinted  at  by  ob- 
scure markings  in  the  other  species,  but  never  as  distinct  and 
broad. 

Head  3.75 ;  depth  6 ;  eye  4 ;  snout  4.2 ;  maxillary  3.25 ;  mandible 
2.75;  interorbital  6;  pectoral  1.25;  ventral  1.3;  D.  XIV,  13;  A.  II, 
8;  scales  7-61-10. 

Body  rather  long,  slender  and  subterete ;  caudal  peduncle  some- 
what compressed,  its  least  width  one-half  its  least  depth ;  head 
rather  long,  snout  pointed;  mouth  moderately  l-arge,  oblique,  maxil- 
lary reaching  past  anterior  part  of  eye,  lower  jaw  included;  pre- 
maxillaries  not  protractile ;  eye  rather  large,  slightly  above  axis  of 
body ;  interorbital  moderately  wide,  nearly  flat ;  gill-membranes 
free  from  each  other  and  from  the  isthmus ;  opercle  with  a  rather 
long  flap  and  stout  spine ;  fins  rather  large ;  distance  from  origin 


Maxinkuckee  Darter    (Hadropterus   maxinkuckietisis) 


of  spinous  dorsal  to  tip  of  snout  slightly  greater  than  base  of 
spinous  dorsal  or  nearly  twice  base  of  soft  dorsal ;  longest  dorsal 
spine  2.25  in  head ;  soft  dorsal  higher  than  spinous  portion,  2  in 
head,  the  free  edge  gently  curved;  origin  of  anal  under  that  of 
soft  dorsal,  its  base  2.1  in  head;  caudal  rounded  or  slightly 
emarginate. 

Scales  firm  and  strongly  ctenoid ;  lateral  line  complete  and 
straight,  beginning  over  opercular  spine;  top  of  head  and  an  ob- 
long area  on  nape  naked,  space  in  front  of  spinous  dorsal  with 
small  embedded  scales ;  opercle  with  about  7  rows  of  scales ;  cheek 
with  a  few  small,  embedded  scales;  breast  naked,  except  2  or  3 
partially  embedded  scales  on  median  line;  one  large  scale  between 
ventrals ;  belly  naked  anteriorly,  but  with  about  10  enlarged,  stel- 
late scales  posteriorly ;  space  between  ventrals  broad,  equal  to 
width  of  base  of  ventral ;  preopercle  smooth. 

Color  essentially  the  same  as  in  H.  scierus;  mottled  and  ver- 


GREEN-SI DEi:)   DARTER,    Diplrsian   hlrumnuirs    (Rafinesqii 


esqiie) 


JOHNNY'   DARTER,  Boleosoma  nit/rum   ( Rafiiiesque) 


i*  • 


--->fil\% 


•c  s 


9  ?■! 


IOWA  DARll-.K,  Ethrnstomn  ior,v,e   (Jordan  &  Meek] 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         437 

miculated  with  light  and  dark  brown  or  blackish,  the  middle  line 
of  back  with  about  9  large  roundish  dark  confluent  areas  each  sur- 
rounded by  a  wav\^  whitish  line;  middle  of  side  with  about  7  large, 
confluent  dark  spots,  the  anterior  2  largest  and  longest,  the  third 
small,  the  fourth  large  and  the  remaining  3  progressively  smaller ; 
under  parts  yellowish  white;  top  of  head  dark;  a  narrow  whitish 
line  around  upper,  posterior  part  of  orbit ;  a  broad  black  line  down- 
ward from  eye,  much  more  distinct  than  in  related  species;  upper 
part  of  preopercle  and  nearly  whole  opercle  dark,  each  dusted  on 
lower  part ;  cheek  dusted  with  fine  dark  specks ;  an  irregular  pale 
area  at  anterior  end  of  lateral  line;  spinous  dorsal  ashy,  the  first 
3  spines  black  on  the  middle  portion,  the  other  spines  dark  but 
not  so  distinctly  so,  tips  of  last  few  spines  dark;  soft  dorsal  light 
brownish  or  grayish,  crossed  near  the  base  by  a  series  of  dark  spots 
and  above  by  2  series  of  whitish  spots ;  caudal  spotted  or  mottled 
with  white  and  brown,  not  barred  as  in  related  species ;  anal  white, 
dusted  with  brownish ;  ventrals  whitish,  with  fine  dark  dustings ; 
pectoral  whitish,  yellowish  at  base,  followed  by  2  alternating  series 
of  dusty  and  whitish  spots. 

This  species  is  related  to  H.  scierus,  from  which  it  diff'ers 
chiefly  in  having  the  dorsal  fins  united,  in  having  the  maxillary 
reaching  beyond  front  of  orbit,  in  the  larger  scales,  the  free  gill- 
membranes,  and  in  the  smooth  preopercle. 

Of  this  species  we  have  but  2  specimens,  the  type,  a  specimen 
3.5  inches  long,  taken  in  Aubeenaubee  Creek  about  one-half  mile 
from  the  lake,  August  4,  1899,  and  another,  the  locality  label  for 
which  has  been  lost,  but  probably  from  the  same  stream. 

59.     JOHNNY  DARTER 

BOLEOSOMA    NIGRUM    (Rafinesque) 

(Plate  34) 

This  little  fish  is  abundant  almost  everywhere  in  the  eastern 
United  States,  and  is  especially  common  in  small  streams  among 
gravel  and  weeds.  At  Lake  ]\Iaxinkuckee  it  is  not  very  abundant; 
occasional  examples  are  seen  lying  on  the  bottom  near  shore  or  are 
raked  up  with  weeds.  During  the  seining  operations  127  examples 
were  obtained.  One  or  more  specimens  were  procured  in  each  of 
45  of  the  612  hauls ;  the  greatest  number  gotten  in  one  haul  being 
12.  Occasionally  people  seining  along  shore  for  minnows  catch  a 
few  examples  of  this  species. 

Looked  at  from  above  while  lying  on  the  bottom,  the  Johnny 
Darter,  with  his  slender  body  and  spread  fins,  ready  to  go  at  a 


438         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

touch,  reminds  one  of  nothing  else  so  much  as  a  drawn  arrow.  His 
long  broad  pectoral  fins  are  the  tense  bow-strings,  and  at  a  touch 
he  darts  through  the  water  like  a  shot  shaft;  his  motion  through 
the  water  resembles  rather  the  leap  of  a  frog  than  the  swimming 
of  a  fish. 

The  black  on  his  back  is  arranged  in  about  6  short  transverse 
bars — one  a  little  distance  in  front  of  the  dorsal,  one  about  the 
middle  of  the  spinous  dorsal,  one  between  the  two  fins,  one  about 
the  middle,  one  at  the  posterior  of  the  soft  dorsal,  and  one  at  the 
base  of  the  caudal.  These  marks  remind  one  of  several  other  bot- 
tom-lying fishes — the  black  sucker,  the  blob,  and  one  of  the  mad 
toms  (Schilbeodes  exilis) .  Looked  at  sideways — a  view  one  never 
gets  of  him  out  in  nature — he  shows  a  very  short  blunt  nose,  even 
shorter  and  blunter  than  that  of  the  green-sided  darter.  The  ends 
of  the  dorsal  cross-bars  are  visible  as  a  series  of  dark  blotches, 
and  along  the  middle  of  the  side  is  a  row  of  blotches,  irregular  in 
size  and  shape,  but  in  general  more  like  W's  than  anything  else. 

The  stomachs  of  several  examples  showed  that  this  species 
feeds  on  small  animals;  beach  fleas  were  found  in  an  example  2 
inches  long,  and  another  of  the  same  size  contained,  in  addition  to 
the  beach  flea,  a  Chironomous  larva,  and  a  parasitic  distomid. 

In  spite  of  their  spiny  armament,  darters  are  frequently  found 
in  the  stomachs  of  other  fishes,  and  the  Johnny  Darter  is  quite  ef- 
fective for  perch  bait. 

Head  3.75  to  4.5  in  length ;  depth  5  to  7 ;  eye  5  to  5.5  in  head ; 
snout  3  to  3.5;  maxillary  3.5;  D.  IX-11  or  12  (VH  to  X-10  to  14)  ; 
A.  I,  7  to  9 ;  scales  5-44  to  55-9,  rarely  35  to  40 ;  tubes  of  the  lateral 
line  sometimes  obsolete  on  the  last  4  or  5  scales ;  body  fusiform, 
slender,  not  compressed,  caudal  peduncle  slender,  its  least  width 
1.75  in  the  least  depth ;  head  rather  short ;  snout  a  little  longer  than 
eye,  decurved;  mouth  small,  horizontal,  maxillary  reaching  eye; 
premaxillaries  protractile;  lower  jaw  included;  interorbital  space 
rather  wide ;  gill-membranes  rather  narrowly  connected,  free  from 
the  isthmus ;  fins  moderate ;  origin  of  spinous  dorsal  nearer  origin 
of  soft  dorsal  than  tip  of  snout;  origin  of  soft  dorsal  somewhat 
anterior  to  that  of  anal ;  spinous  and  soft  dorsals  separated  by  a 
space  -J-  to  f  diameter  of  eye ;  longest  dorsal  spines  about  2  in  head ; 
longest  dorsal  rays  2  in  head ;  longest  anal  ray  2.5  in  head ;  pec- 
toral large,  pointed,  nearly  as  long  as  head,  reaching  past  tips  of 
ventrals;  ventrals  short,  1.3  in  head,  widely  separated,  the  space 
between  them  as  wide  as  base  of  either  fin ;  caudal  rounded.  Scales 
rather  large,  strongly  ctenoid;  lateral  line  never  complete,  usually 
15  to  30  pores  with  2  or  3  interruptions  then  a  few  scattered  ones. 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         439 

the  line  thus  broken  in  several  places,  chiefly  posteriorly;  region 
in  front  of  spinous  dorsal,  cheeks  and  breast  naked ;  opercles  al- 
ways partially,  sometimes  wholly,  scaled ;  middle  line  of  belly  with 
ordinary  scales,  sometimes  naked  anteriorly;  no  enlarged  humeral 
scale;  opercular  spine  small. 

Color  in  life:  Pale  raw  umber  above,  tending  to  olive,  and 
marked  with  dark  brown  along  scale  margins,  darker  and  forming 
distinct  cross-hatching  in  7  blotches ;  about  13  irregular  patches 
of  dark  brown  or  black  cross-hatching  along  lateral  line,  separated 
from  the  markings  of  the  back  by  a  narrow  line  of  whitish ;  nape 
and  back  mottled  and  colored  by  minute  black  dots  fading  to  brown 
posteriorly;  pectoral  rays  very  faintly  barred  with  brown;  caudal 
fin  more  distinctly  black-barred,  showing  plainest  in  the  closed 
fin ;  a  black  line  downward  and  one  forward  from  eye. 

The  Maxinkuckee  representatives  of  B.  nigrum  diflter  from 
typical  specimens  in  some  important  particulars,  the  principal  of 
which  are  the  following:  The  less  complete  lateral  line,  the  naked 
ante-dorsal  region,  the  less  .complete  squamation  of  opercle,  and 
the  smaller  fins. 

This  description  is  based  on  19  specimens  40  to  44  mm.  long, 
taken  on  east  side  of  Long  Point  in  July  and  August. 

The  following  is  an  interesting  account  of  the  habits  of  this 
little  fish : 

"We  never  grev/  tired  of  watching  the  little  Johnny  (Boleoso:)ia 
nigrimi  Rafinesque).  Although  our  earliest  aquarium  friend — 
and  the  very  first  specimen  showed  us  by  a  rapid  ascent  of  the 
river  vv^eed  how  'a  Johnny  could  climb  trees' — he  has  still  many 
resources  which  we  have  never  learned.  Whenever  we  try  to 
catch  him  with  the  hand  we  begin  with  all  the  uncertainty  that 
characterized  our  first  attempts,  even  if  we  have  him  in  a  two 
quart  pail.  We  may  know  him  by  his  short  fins,  his  first  dorsal 
having  but  9  spines,  and  by  the  absence  of  all  color  save  a  soft  yel- 
lowish brown,  which  is  freckled  with  darker  markings.  The  dark 
brown  on  the  sides  is  arranged  in  7  or  8  W-shaped  marks,  below 
which  are  a  few  flecks  of  the  same  color.  Covering  the  sides  of 
the  back  are  the  wavy  markings  and  dark  specks,  which  have 
given  him  the  name  of  the  Tessellated  Darter',  but  Boleosoma  is 
a  braver  name  and  we  even  prefer  'Boly'  for  short.  In  the  spring 
the  males  have  the  head  jet-black,  and  this  dark  color  often  extends 
on  the  back  part  of  the  body  so  that  the  fish  looks  as  if  he  had 
been  taken  by  the  tail  and  dipped  into  a  bottle  of  ink.  But  with 
the  end  of  the  nuptial  season  this  color  disappears,  and  the  fish 
regains  his  normal  strawy  hue.     The  head  in  Boleosoma  resembles 


440         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Siirvey 

that  of  Diplesion,  but  the  habit  of  leaning  forward  over  a  stone, 
resting  on  the  front  fins,  gives  a  physiogomy  even  more  frog-Hke. 
His  actions  are,  however,  rather  bird-Hke,  for  he  will  strike  atti- 
tudes like  a  tufted  titmouse,  and  he  flies  rather  than  swims  through 
the  water.  He  will,  with  much  perseverance,  push  his  body  be- 
tween a  plant  and  the  side  of  the  aquarium  and  balance  himself 
on  the  slender  stem.  Crouching  cat-like  before  a  snail  shell,  he 
will  snap  off  the  horns  which  the  unlucky  owner  pushes  timidly 
out.  But  he  is  often  less  dainty,  and  seizing  the  animal  by  the 
head,  he  dashes  the  shell  against  the  glass  or  a  stone  until  he  pulls 
the  body  out  or  breaks  the  shell." — Jordan  and  Copeland. 

60.     GREEN-SIDED  DARTER 

DIPLESION  BLENNIOIDES  Rafinesque 

(Plate  33) 

Only  5  specimens  of  this  handsome  darter  were  secured;  of 
these,  one,  an  example  3.25  inches  long,  was  secured  down  the  out- 
let of  Lost  Lake  near  the  old  mill  on  September  11,  1906,  and  4 
others,  ranging  in  length  from  2.5  to  2.75  inches,  were  secured 
about  the  same  place,  on  October  7,  1907.  The  markings  of  these 
specimens  (in  spirits)  are  quite  contrastive,  the  dark  markings 
being  jet  black;  this  being  probably  partly  due  to  the  black  bottom 
of  the  stream  in  which  they  were  found.  The  Y-shaped  figures 
mentioned  in  current  descriptions  as  occurring  on  the  lower  part 
of  the  side,  are  united  in  our  specimens,  so  that  the  color  pattern 
of  that  portion  of  the  body  resembles  a  series  of  arches,  usually 
with  a  black  spot  underneath  each  arch. 

The  following  description  is  from  the  largest  of  our  specimens : 
Head  4.3  in  length;  depth  5.6;  eye  3.2  in  head;  snout  3.1 ;  mandible 
4.2 ;  interorbital  space  very  narrow,  7.1  in  head,  the  eyes  being 
high  up  and  close  together ;  mouth  small,  horizontal,  overhung  by 
the  blunt  heavy  snout;  physiognomy  peculiar,  the  profile  being 
short  and  rounded,  a  condition  best  described  by  the  expression 
"bull-nosed" ;  D.  XII,  13 ;  A.  II,  9 ;  scales  5-61-8.  Body  fusiform, 
elongate,  but  stouter  than  that  of  many  of  the  darters;- snout,  occi- 
put, throat  and  breast  naked ;  gill-membranes  broadly  connected. 
Spinous  dorsal  quite  low,  the  longest  spine  2.3  in  head ;  soft  dorsal 
quite  high,  the  longest  ray  1.6  in  head;  anal  about  as  long  as  soft 
dorsal  but  quite  low;  pectorals  quite  long  and  large,  longer  than 
head  and  reaching  to  tips  of  ventrals;  ventrals  quite  large,  about 
1.1  in  head,  well  separated  at  base  and  reaching  about  §  of  the 
distance  to  the  vent. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         441 

Color  in  spirits :  Ground  color  pale  straw-yellow,  upper  part 
of  sides  irregularly  splotched  with  black,  the  splotches  tending  to 
form  black  spots  along  the  dorsal  line  as  follows :  One  small  spot 
just  behind  occiput,  a  large  one  just  in  front  of  origin  of  spinous 
dorsal,  an  ill-defined  one  about  the  center  and  another  about  the 
end  of  the  spinous  dorsal,  two  similarly  placed  in  regard  to  the 
soft  dorsal,  and  one  on  the  caudal  peduncle;  lower  parts  of  side 
with  a  series  of  black  arches,  and  small  spots  in  the  center  of 
arches;  belly  unspotted;  head  dusky,  irregularly  blotched,  a  dis- 
tinct spot  above  each  eye  and  3  blotches  on  occiput,  these  latter 
forming  a  sort  of  trefoil  or  fleur-de-lis  mark ;  dorsals  somewhat 
irregularly  splotched ;  in  the  spinous  dorsal  there  is  a  tendency  for 
the  black  to  aggregate  in  the  membranes  between  the  spines ;  in  the 
soft  dorsal  this  is  definite,  the  interspaces  between  the  rays  being 
black  and  the  intervals  between  the  forks  of  the  rays  being  dusky ; 
caudal  somewhat  irregularly  blotched,  the  blotches  tending  to  form 
in  bars ;  pectorals  with  spots  arranged  in  bars ;  ventrals  irregularly 
spotted ;  anal  with  a  few  dark  dashes.  In  life  this  fish,  especially 
during  the  mating  season,  is  one  of  the  most  beautifully  colored 
of  our  fishes ;  the  bright  colors  which  are  removed  by  alcohol  seem 
to  be  laid  on  over  the  ground  colors  just  described.  The  follow- 
ing is  given  as  the  life  colors : 

Color  olive  green  tesselated  above ;  side  with  about  8  double 
transverse  bars,  each  forming  a  Y-shaped  figure ;  these  sometimes 
joined  above,  forming  a  sort  of  wavy  lateral  band ;  in  life  these 
markings  are  of  a  clear  deep  green ;  sides  sprinkled  with  orange 
dots ;  head  with  olive  stripes  and  the  usual  dark  bars ;  first  dorsal 
dark  orange  brown  at  base,  blue  above,  becoming  pale  at  tip ;  sec- 
ond dorsal  and  anal  of  a  rich  blue  green,  with  some  reddish ;  caudal 
greenish,  faintly  barred ;  young  and  females  more  or  less  dull,  but 
the  pattern  is  peculiar. 

All  our  specimens  of  both  sexes  were  very  dark  in  color,  a 
feature  probably  associated  with  the  black  bottom  of  the  stream 
from  which  they  were  taken.  Many  of  the  specimens  died  in  the 
water  and  faded  considerably ;  the  unfaded  alcoholic  specimens  have 
quite  contrastive  black  and  white  markings.  These  specimens 
were  quite  badly  infested  with  leeches,  which  were  attached  to  the 
various  fin-membranes ;  a  number  of  the  specimens  had  2  leeches 
attached. 

This  species  is  so  vcrj^  like  //.  sciems  that  the  same  general 
description  will  serve  for  both,  by  bearing  in  mind  the  few  points 
in  which  they  differ. 

"One  of  the  most  simply  beautiful  of  all  fishes  is  the  Green- 


442         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

sided  Darter  {Diplesiov  hlennioides) .  He  is  not  like  the  Etheo- 
stoma  coeruleiim,  an  animated  rainbow,  but  he  has  the  beauty  of 
green  grass,  wild  violets,  and  mossy  logs.  As  we  watch  him  in  the 
water,  with  his  bright  blended  colors  and  gentle  ways,  once  more, 
with  Old  Izaak,  'we  sit  on  the  cowslip  banks,  hear  the  birds  sing, 
and  possess  ourselves  in  as  much  quietness  as  the  silent  silver 
streams  which  we  see  glide  so  quietly  by  us.'  During  the  ordinary 
business  of  the  year,  Diplesion,  like  most  sensible  fishes  and  men, 
dresses  plainly.  It  is  not  easy  to  get  time  for  contemplation  when 
the  streams  are  low  and  food  is  scarce.  Besides,  a  plain  coat  may 
ward  off  danger  as  well  as  facilitate  attack.  At  all  times,  how- 
ever, he  may  be  known  by  these  marks :  The  fins  are  all  large ;  the 
back  is  covered  with  zigzag  markings,  while  on  the  lower  part  of 
the  sides  are  8  or  9  W-shaped  olive  spots;  these  are  more  or  less 
connected  above,  and  sometimes  form  a  wavy  line.  The  eyes  are 
prominent;  the  snout  is  very  short  and  rounded;  while  the  little 
inferior  mouth  is  puckered  up  as  if  for  saying  'prunes  and  prisms, 
prunes  and  prisms.'  But  when  the  first  blue  birds  give  warning 
by  their  shivering  and  bodiless  notes  that  spring  is  coming  on, 
then  Diplesion  puts  on  his  wedding  clothes  and  becomes,  in  fact, 
the  Green-sided  Darter.  The  dorsal  fins  become  of  a  bright  grass 
green,  with  a  scarlet  band  at  the  base  of  each ;  the  broad  anal  has 
a  tinge  of  the  deepest  emerald;  while  every  spot  and  line  upon 
the  side  has  turned  from  an  undefined  olive  to  a  deep  rich  green, 
such  as  is  scarcely  found  elsewhere  in  the  animal  world  excepting 
on  the  heads  of  frogs.  The  same  tint  shines  out  on  the  branch- 
ing rays  of  the  caudal  fin,  and  may  be  seen  struggling  through  the 
white  of  the  belly.  The  blotches  nearest  the  middle  of  the  back 
become  black,  and  thickly  sprinkled  everywhere  are  shiny  specks 
of  clear  bronze  orange.  In  the  aquarium  Diplesion  is  shy  and 
retiring,  too  much  of  a  fme  lady  to  scramble  for  angleworms  or  to 
snap  at  the  "bass  feed."  She  is  usually  hidden  among  the  plants 
or  curled  up  under  an  arch  of  stones  or  in  a  geode." — Jordan  and 
Copeland. 

61.     IOWA  DARTER 

ETHEOSTOMA  lOW^   Jordan  &  Meek 

(Plate  34) 

The  Iowa  Darter  is  a  common  species  in  the  upper  Missouri 
Valley  from  Iowa  and  Nebraska  north  to  Assiniboia,  and  eastward 
to  Indiana.  It  is  found  farther  northward  and  farther  westward 
in  the  Missouri  basin  than  any  other  darter.  At  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee it  is  represented  by  a  closely  related  species,  the  Aubee- 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         443 

naubee  Darter,  which  is  there  the  most  common  of  the  darters  ex- 
cept Percina  caprodes.  Not  a  great  number  were  obtained  during 
the  seining  operations,  but  nearly  every  rakeful  of  Chara  brought 
up  during  the  winter  through  the  ice  contained  1  or  more  of  these 
fishes.  This  darter  probably  spends  most  of  its  time  among  the 
Chara  and  thus  escapes  the  net.  It  prefers  hiding  under  weeds  to 
lying  on  open  bottom,  and  is  commonly  not  seen  before  being  cap- 
tured. In  the  short  matted  Chara  found  so  abundantly  in  the 
shallow  water  of  the  lake,  it  is  doubtless  abundant.  In  the  open 
places  it  may  frequently  be  seen  lying  still  on  the  sandy  bottom, 
or  occasionally  darting  to  cover. 

The  Iowa  Darter  probably  spawns  late  in  April  or  early 
in  May.  Females  taken  April  27,  1901,  were  examined  and  found 
to  be  full  of  spawn.  The  ovaries  of  the  specimen  examined  were 
each  a  club-shaped  mass  narrowed  sharply  behind,  truncate  and 
concave  in  front,  its  anterior  margin  adjusted  in  outline  to  that  of. 
the  well-filled  stomach,  and  surrounded  by  a  firm  membrane.  The 
length  of  the  fish  examined  was  50  mm.,  the  length  of  the  egg-mass 
10  mm.  The  mature  eggs,  which  may  have  been  shrunken  some, 
but  probably  little  by  the  preservative,  were  bright  yellow,  32  to 
the  inch,  and  115  in  number  in  one  ovary;  probably  about  double 
that  number  in  the  whole  fish.  Mixed  in  with  them  was  a  large 
number  of  minute  ova,  probably  representing  the  next  year's 
product. 

More  than  any  other  species  of  fish  in  the  lake,  except  some 
of  the  minnows,  this  fish  is  afi'ected  with  the  affliction  known  as 
Diplostomiasis  characterized  by  small  round  black  spots  in  the 
skin,  each  indicating  the  cyst  of  a  distomid  which  is  said  to  reach 
its  mature  form  in  the  stomachs  of  water  birds. 

The  only  food  found  in  the  stomachs  examined  consisted  of  in- 
sects and  insect  larvje.  These  darters  are  occasionally  found  in 
the  stomachs  of  other  fishes.     The  bass  sometimes  eat  them. 

On  comparing  our  Lake  Maxinkuckee  material  with  specimens 
of  E.  iowR',  from  Creighton,  Nebraska,  and  with  current  descrip- 
tions, the  Maxinkuckee  specimens  appear  to  be  less  fully  scaled  on 
the  cheeks  and  opercles. 

The  squamation  of  these  parts  is  exceedingly  various  as  re- 
gards degree  of  development  as  well  as  number  of  scales.  The 
skin  of  these  parts  may  be  entirely  smooth  or  naked ;  the  scales  in 
their  simplest  form  are  represented  by  raised  tubercles,  which  are 
usually  rather  numerous  and  regularly  arranged,  which  show  well 
on  a  wet  specimen  by  reflections.  In  a  more  developed  stage  they 
consist  of  embedded  smooth  circular  scales  which  bear  some  re- 


444         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

semblance  to  pores,  and  which  show  best  when  the  specimen  is 
somewhat  moist.  Finally  we  have  the  more  or  less  fully  devel- 
oped ctenoid  scale,  more  or  less  free  at  the  posterior  margin  and 
inclined  to  curl  up,  which  is  best  seen  on  the  specimen  when  some- 
what dry. 

A  specimen  taken  at  random  from  our  reserve  series  had  the 
scales  on  opercles  and  cheek  34-19,  well  developed  and  ctenoid. 
The  number  found  in  the  best  developed  of  our  specimens  in  this 
respect,  out  of  a  series  set  aside  for  their  special  development  in 
this  particular,  was  23  on  the  cheek,  and  11  on  the  opercle,  from 
which  it  varied  to  8  on  the  cheek  and  3  on  the  opercle,  and  the 
scales  on  the  cheek  are  always  imbedded  and  hard  to  make  out. 
There  is  no  correlation  between  the  number  of  scales  on  the  cheek 
and  those  on  the  opercle. 

62.     AUBEENAUBEE  DARTER 

ETHEOSTOMA   lOW^   AUBEENA,UBEI    Evermann 

In  making  a  critical  study  of  the  large  series  of  darters  which 
in  our  preliminary  studies  were  regarded  as  two  distinct  species, 
E.  iowse  and  E.  aubeenaubei,  and  now  greatly  augmented  by  later 
collections,  we  find  that  the  two  extremes  are  connected  by  inter- 
grading  forms.  In  so  far  as  the  squamation  of  the  cheeks,  which 
is  one  of  the  most  important  features,  is  concerned,  they  vary 
from  one  extreme,  the  type  of  E.  auheenauhei,  with  wholly  naked 
cheeks  and  opercles,  to  a  form  with  these  parts  moderately  well 
scaled ;  although  none  of  our  specimens  seems  to  be  so  distinctly  or 
heavily  scaled  on  these  parts  as  the  specimens  of  E.  iowse  in  our 
reserve  series,  from  Creighton,  Neb. 

The  typical  Etheostoma  anheenavhei  differs  from  typical  E. 
iowse  in  the  almost  naked  cheek,  the  less  complete  scaling  of  the 
opercle,  the  somewhat  longer  maxillary,  more  oblique  mouth,  the 
general  coloration  and  much  closer  approximation  of  the  dorsal 
fins. 

In  a  series  of  30  specimens  examined  critically  in  regard  to 
the  points  above  enumerated,  the  number  of  scales  on  the  cheek 
varies  from  none  to  about  15  which  could  be  definitely  counted, 
or,  in  some  examples,  to  a  good  many  small  scales  difficult  to  make 
out  satisfactorily.  The  scales  on  the  cheek  vary  from  none 
through  2,  3,  5  to  15  or  more,  often  imbedded  and  difficult  to  make 
out.  The  squamation  appears  to  proceed  from  above  downward; 
when  these  parts  were  only  partly  scaled  the  scales  were  on  the 
dorsal  portion.     The  length  of  the  maxillary  varies  from  3  through 


Lake  Maxlnkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         445 

various  intermediate  values  to  4.4  in  head,  and  the  end  varies  from 
reaching  to  the  anterior  edge  of  the  pupil,  and  the  tip  of  the  upper 
jaw  was  on  various  levels,  from  the  lower  edge  of  the  pupil  to 
the  lower  edge  of  the  orbit.  The  number  of  scales  covered  by 
the  space  between  the  spinous  and  soft  dorsals  varies  from  1  to 
about  4,  and  the  space  varies  from  2  in  ey€  through  many  inter- 
mediate values  to  a  trifle  larger  than  the  horizontal  diameter  of  the 
eye.  Among  our  specimens  is  one  which  has  the  spinous  and  soft 
dorsals  continuous,  the  membrane  being  quite  high  throughout. 
The  dorsal  formula  of  this  specimen  is  XI,  10,  and  the  cheeks  and 
opercles  are  naked. 

The  color  pattern  is  extremely  variable;  full  notes  on  colors  of 
specific  individuals  are  given  below ;  the  following  general  re- 
marks will  serve  to  call  attention  to  the  great  diversity : 


Aubeenaubee  Darter    (Ethcostoma  aubeinuubei) 


A  dark  line  downward  from  the  eye  and  a  dark  heart-shaped 
occipital  spot  (which  is  so  frequent  among  fishes  in  general),  ap- 
pear to  be  always  present.  The  color  pattern  of  the  caudal  fin  also 
appears  to  be  constant,  at  least  so  far  as  general  effect  is  concerned, 
though  a  study  of  more  material  might  show  a  number  of  vari- 
ations in  detail ;  it  consists  of  a  series  of  dark  blotches,  arranged  in 
irregular  broken  zig-zag  bars.  These  probably  vary  somewhat  in 
number  and  position,  their  irregularity  making  it  diflicult  to  cor- 
relate them,  giving  thus  a  semblance  to  uniformity.  The  unit  of 
the  pattern  usually  consists  (in  small,  and  presumably  young,  indi- 
viduals) in  its  simplest  form  of  a  pair  of  parallel  lines  like  the  arith- 
metical sign  of  equality — a  bar  on  each  side  of  the  rays,  the  whole 
making  an  elongate  blotch  from  2  to  4  times  as  long  as  wide,  fol- 
lowed by  a  colorless  space  of  about  equal  length.  Where  the  rays 
fork  there  are  likely  to  be  three  parallel  lines;  in  the  next  stage  of 
development  a  row  of  dots  is  intercalated  between  the  parallel  lines; 
these  finally  close  up  to  form  an  entire  line,  and  finally  the  whole 


446         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

space  between  the  lines  becomes  colored,  making  a  solid  rectangle. 
In  its  simplest  form  the  soft  dorsal  is  colored  similarly  to  the 
caudal,  but  in  most  cases  it  is  also  more  or  less  densely  punctulate 
with  exceedingly  minute  and  quite  close  punctulations  on  the  mem- 
branes between  the  rays.  The  spinous  dorsal  varies  greatly  in 
coloration  and  may  be  simply  blotched^  something  after  the  fashion 
of  the  caudal,  or  may  also  have  a  distinct  black  bar  at  the  margin, 
at  the  base,  or  both  places.  It  is  probable  that  the  latter  differ- 
ence is  sexual  and  is  accentuated  during  the  breeding  season.  Of 
two  individuals  contrasted  in  this  particular,  that  with  the  ornate 
dorsal  proved  to  be  the  male,  and  the  other  the  female. 

The  color  pattern  of  the  body  is  also  an  exceedingly  variable 
feature.  In  one  extreme  the  back  is  a  sort  of  uniform  olivace- 
ous brown  above,  with  a  very  faint  diffuse  paler  streak  along  be- 
low the  dorsal  line,  this  general  brown  color  breaking  up  below 
into  irregular  blotches  leaving  the  belly  colorless  except  for  a  few 
large  irregular  blotches  along  the  base  of  the  anal  fin. 

In  addition  to  this  general  color  there  may  be  vague  dusky  bars 
across  the  side,  varying  greatly  in  distinctiveness.  They  may  be 
so  dim  as  to  tease  the  imagination  or  in  the  extreme  form  they  may 
become  so  decided  as  to  be  the  first  feature  to  catch  the  eye,  and 
remind  one  strongly  of  the  colorations  of  Perca  or  Percina.  In 
one  set  of  examples  these  were  distinct  short  blotches  on  a  pale 
olivaceous  yellow  background  so  that  the  fish  bore  some  general 
resemblance  to  Boleosonia  nigntni.  On  a  single  example  they 
were  a  series  of  elongate  lateral  dashes,,  so  that  the  fish  looked 
considerably  like  Percina  caprodes.  It  was  thought  at  first  that 
this  was  a  sexual  difference,  but  on  examining  two  individuals  rep- 
resenting each  extreme  of  color  pattern  both  proved  to  be  females 
full  of  spawn. 

Head  3,6  to  4  in  length;  depth  4,32  to  6;  eye  3  to  4  in  head; 
snout  3  to  4;  maxillary  2.66  to  3;  dorsal  VII  to  IX-10  to  12;  anal 
II,  6  to  8 ;  scales  4-50  to  60-7.  Body  moderate  in  length,  short 
and  stout,  somewhat  compressed ;  head  long,  snout  blunt  pointed, 
not  greatly  decurved ;  mouth  moderate,  slightly  oblique,  maxillary 
reaching  eye;  gill-membranes  scarcely  connected,  free  from  the 
isthmus ;  premaxillaries  not  protractile ;  caudal  peduncle  com- 
pressed, rather  long;  dorsal  outline  abruptly  arched  at  nape;  fins 
moderate;  distance  from  snout  to  origin  of  spinous  dorsal  slightly 
greater  than  -\  length ;  dorsals  well  separated ;  spinous  dorsal 
rounded,  the  longest  spines  about  2.5  in  head ;  soft  dorsal  also 
rounded,  the  longest  rays  about  1.9  in  head;  pectoral  rather  long, 
1.3  in  head,  the  tip  reaching  tips  of  ventrals;  anal  small,  the  rays 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         447 

about  equalling-  those  of  soft  dorsal ;  first  anal  spine  stronger  and 
somewhat  longer  than  the  second ;  scales  strongly  ctenoid ;  top  of 
head  naked,  nape  densely  scaled ;  cheeks  and  opercles  only  partially 
scaled,  sometimes  naked ;  breast  naked ;  median  line  of  belly  with 
ordinary  scales ;  ventrals  close  together,  the  space  separating  them 
scarcely  as  wide  as  base  of  fin ;  lateral  line  incomplete,  usually  20 
to  30  pores.  Color  of  male,  in  life,  light  yellowish  brown  above, 
with  broad  bars  of  pale  olive  brown ;  side  with  alternating  blotches 
of  bright  vermilion  and  pale  bluish  green,  the  vermilion  follow- 
ing the  margins  of  the  scales  and  giving  the  efi'ect  of  cross-hatch- 
ing, the  green  bai's  deeper  and  more  distinct  below  lateral  line 
on  the  caudal  peduncle  but  anteriorly  they  are  most  distinct  above 
middle  of  body;  a  small  clear  vermilion  spot  at  base  of  pectoral; 
opercle  golden  and  greenish  iridescent;  dorsals  and  caudal  with 
series  of  dark  spots  on  membranes ;  other  fins  pale ;  a  dark  line 
downward  from  eye  and  one  forward.  Color  of  female  in  life, 
light  olivaceous  above,  side  with  about  10  rather  distinct,  irregular 
vertical  green  bars  or  blotches,  narrower  than  the  interspaces, 
which  are  rusty  straw-color ;  caudal  barred  with  white  and  5  light 
brown  bars ;  pectoral  similarly  barred  but  more  f aintlj^ ;  spinous 
and  soft  dorsals  with  small  brownish  spots  in  irregular  series,  the 
spinous  dorsal  narrowly  green-edged;  back  olivaceous,  with  about 
8  indistinct  greenish  blotches  alternating  with  the  green  lateral 
bars ;  head  light  brownish ;  under  parts  whitish ;  a  small  darkish 
spot  on  base  of  last  dorsal  spines. 

There  is  considerable  variation  in  the  coloration,  some  showing 
considerably  more  red  than  others.  We  are  not  now  able  to  recog- 
nize E.  aiibeenaubei  as  a  distinct  species.  If  distinguishable  at  all, 
it  must  be  merely  as  a  subspecies  of  E.  iowse,  with  which  it  seems 
to  intergrade.  Typical  specimens  of  the  Aubeenaubee  Darter  were 
found  only  in  Aubeenaubee  Creek. 

This  discussion  is  based  upon  numerous  specimens  each  about 
36  to  44  mm.  long  collected  on  Long  Point,  August  11,  1900,  and 
several  from  Aubeenaubee  Creek. 

63.     RAINBOW  DARTER 

ETHEOSTOMA  CCERULEUM  Storer 

This  gaudy  little  fish  is  generally  abundant  in  gravelly  streams 
of  the  Mississippi  Valley.  At  Maxinkuckee  it  is  not  very  common 
in  the  lake  itself,  only  a  few  having  been  obtained.  They  were 
more  common  in  the  Outlet,  particularly  near  the  railroad  bridge, 
where  there  was  a  pebbly  bottom  and  swift  current.    Here  several 

29—17618 


448         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

could  be  observed,  especially  in  the  spring.  Here  they  live  in  the 
crevices  between  some  boards  which  form  a  dam.  They  may  also 
be  found  about  the  wagon  bridge.  One  was  captured  near  Farrar's 
on  July  6,  one  was  caught  at  Long  Point  June  2,  1901,  and  another 
was  found  under  a  board  in  shallow  water  near  Murray's,  Novem- 
ber 12.  They  are  also  found  in  the  outlet  of  Lost  Lake,  3  being  ob- 
tained about  2  miles  down  the  outlet  on  Nov.  7,  1907.  These,  like 
the  other  fishes  obtained  in  the  vicinity,  were  very  dark,  almost 
black. 

"Gayest  of  all  the  Darters,  and  indeed  the  gaudiest  of  all  fresh- 
water fishes,  in  the  Rainbow  Darter  (Etheostoma  cceruleum) . 
This  is  a  little  fish,  never  more  than  3  inches  long,  and  usually  about 
2.  Everywhere  throughout  the  northern  parts  of  the  Mississippi 
Valley  it  makes  its  home  in  the  ripples  and  shallows  of  the  rivers 
and  in  the  shady  retreats  of  all  the  little  brooks.     The  male  fish  is 


Rainbow  Darter  (Etheostoma  cceruJrum) 

greenish  above,  with  darker  blotches,  and  its  sides  are  variegated 
with  oblique  bands  alternately  of  indigo  blue  and  deep  orange, 
while  the  expanded  fins  are  gorgeous  in  scarlet,  indigo,  and  crim- 
son. The  female,  as  is  usually  the  case  when  the  male  of  the 
species  is  resplendent,  is  plainly  colored — a  speckly  green,  with  no 
trace  of  blue  or  orange.  When  the  war  of  the  rebellion  broke  out 
there  were  some  good  people  who  were  anxiously  looking  for  some 
sign  or  omen,  that  they  might  know  on  which  side  the  'stars  in 
their  courses'  were  fighting.  It  so  happened  that  in  a  little  brook 
in  Lidiana,  called  Clear  Creek,  some  one  caught  a  Rainbow  Darter. 
This  fish  was  clothed  in  a  new  suit  of  the  red,  white,  and  blue  of  his 
native  land,  in  the  most  unmistakably  patriotic  fashion.  There 
were  some  people  who  had  never  seen  a  Darter  before  and  who 
knew  no  more  of  the  fishes  in  their  streams  than  these  fishes  knew 
of  them,  by  whom  the  coming  of  this  little  "soldier  fish"  into  their 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         449 

brooks  was  hailed  as  an  omen  of  victory.  Of  course  these  little 
fishes  had  really  'always  been  there.'  They  were  there  when 
America  was  discovered  and  for  a  long  time  before,  but  the  people 
had  not  seen  them.  The  warblers  lived,  you  remember,  in  Spald- 
ing's woods  at  Concord,  but  Spalding  did  not  know  that  they  were 
there,  and  they  had  no  knowledge  of  Spalding.  So  with  the 
Darters  in  Spalding's  brooks.  Still,  when  the  day  comes  when  his- 
tory shall  finally  recount  all  the  influences  which  held  Indiana  to 
her  place  in  the  Union,  shall  not  among  greater  things,  this  least  of 
little  fishes  receive  its  little  share  of  praise?  The  Rainbow  Darter 
is  a  chubby  little  fish,  as  compared  with  the  other  Darters.  In  its 
movements  it  is  awkward  and  ungraceful,  though  swift  and  sav- 
age as  a  pike.  One  of  the  mildest  of  its  tricks,  which  we  have 
noticed,  is  this :  It  would  gently  put  its  head  over  a  stone  and 
catch  a  water  boatman  by  one  of  its  swimming  legs,  release  it, 
catch  it  again  and  again  release  it,  until  at  last  the  boatman,  evi- 
dently much  annoyed,  swam  away  out  of  its  reach.  It  will  follow 
to  the  surface  of  the  water  a  piece  of  meat  suspended  by  a  string. 
It  is  more  alert  in  discovering  this  than  a  hungry  sunfish  or  rock- 
bass,  and  it  can  be  led  around  like  a  pet  lamb  by  a  thread  to  which 
is  fastened  a  section  of  a  worm." — Jordan  and  Copeland. 

Head  3f  in  length ;  depth  4] ;  eye  4  to  4^  in  head,  little  shorter 
than  snout;  D.  IX  to  XII-11  to  14;  A.  II,  7  or  8;  scales  5-37  to 
50-10,  usually  5-45-10,  pores  18  to  35 ;  body  robust,  rather  deep  and 
compressed,  the  back  somewhat  elevated ;  head  large,  compressed ; 
mouth  moderate,  terminal,  oblique,  the  lower  jaw  somewhat  in- 
cluded, the  maxillary  reaching  front  of  orbit;  opercular  spine 
moderate ;  gill-membranes  not  connected ;  palatine  teeth  in  one 
row ;  cheeks  naked  or  nearly  so ;  opercles  scaled ;  neck  and  breast 
usually  naked ;  fins  all  large ;  dorsal  fins  usually  slightly  connected ; 
anal  spines  subsequal  or  the  first  a  little  the  longer;  caudal 
rounded;  pectoral  nearly  or  quite  as  long  as  head.  Males  olivace- 
ous, tesselated  above,  the  spots  running  together  into  blotches,  back 
without  lengthwise  black  stripes ;  sides  with  about  12  indigo-blue 
bars  running  obliquely  downward  and  backward,  most  distinct  be- 
hind, separated  by  bright  orange  interspaces;  caudal  fin  deep 
orange,  with  deep  blue  in  front  and  behind ;  soft  dorsal  chiefly 
orange,  blue  at  base  and  tip;  spinous  dorsal  crimson  at  base,  then 
orange,  with  blue  edgings ;  ventrals  deep  indigo ;  cheeks  blue ; 
throat  and  breast  orange ;  females  much  duller,  with  little  blue  or 
red,  the  vertical  fins  barred  or  checked;  young  variously  marked; 
no  dark  humeral  spot.     Length  2^  inches. 


450         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

64.     LEAST   DARTER 

MICROPERCA  PUNCTULATA  Putnam 

This  pigmy  among  fishes  is  common  in  clear,  cold,  weedy 
streams  and  ponds  of  the  Northwestern  States  from  Indiana, 
Michigan  and  Minnesota,  south  to  Arkansas.  It  is  not  well  known 
except  to  collectors  and  naturalists  as  it  usually  escapes  observation 
on  account  of  its  small  size.  It  is  occasionally  found  in  Lake  Max- 
inkuckee, usually  in  the  neighborhood  of  Norris  Inlet,  where  sev- 
eral specimens  were  raked  up  through  the  ice.  It  is  still  more 
abundant  in  Lost  Lake,  and  is  quite  frequent  in  the  Outlet  between 
the  lakes.  Specimens  Vv^ere  taken  in  the  outlet  of  Lost  Lake  at 
various  places,  some  of  them  a  mile  or  so  below  the  lake.  Those 
raked  up  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  were  associated  with  the  Iowa 
darter,  from  which  they  could  be  distinguished  at  once  by  their 
smaller  size,  comparatively  larger  scales,  absence  of  lateral  line, 
and  general  coloration. 


4i 


-gis^- 


Least  Darter    (Microjierra   puncttdata) 

This  interesting  little  fish  most  delights  to  dwell  where  the 
water  is  cold  and  quiet  and  the  bottom  of  that  loose  material  which 
accumulates  on  the  floors  of  small  lakes  and  sluggish  streams  from 
the  disintegration  and  slow  decay  of  aquatic  vegetation.  In  such 
situations  the  water  is  apt  to  be  vegetable  stained  to  the  appear- 
ance of  very  weak  cofi'ee,  and  the  vegetable  debris  black  in  color 
and  with  a  specific  gravity  but  little  greater  than  the  water  which 
permeates  it.  Here  the  Least  Darter  is  at  home  quietly  resting  on 
the  surface  of  the  unstable  mass  and  ever  ready  to  burrow  in  it  on 
the  least  alarm.  A  favorite  place  for  these  pigmies  was  in  the 
Outlet  well  down  toward  Lost  Lake. 

We  have  in  our  collection  81  specimens,  ranging  in  length  from 
I  to  1.44  inches.  Of  these,  21  were  obtained  in  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee at  various  places,  47  in  Lost  Lake,  and  in  the  outlet  of  Lost 
Lake.  The  4  specimens  in  our  reserve  series  were  obtained  in 
Lake  Maxinkuckee  in  1890.     All  appear  to  be  adult. 


Lake  Maxinknckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


451 


The  following  is  the  description  of  a  specimen  1.31  inches  long 
raked  out  of  the  weeds  near  Norris  Inlet,  December  12,  1904 : 

Head  3.6  in  length ;  depth  5 ;  eye  4  in  head,  snout  shorter  than 
eye;  mouth  moderate,  the  cleft  reaching  to  anterior  of  orbit,  and 
somewhat  oblique,  upper  lip  on  a  level  with  lower  margin  of  orbit; 
under  jaw  somewhat  the  shorter;  D.  VI-8 ;  A.  I,  5;  scales  10  in 
transverse  series,  36  in  longtudinal  series ;  no  lateral  line,  but  the 
head  with  a  well  marked  series  of  mucous  pores  in  2  rows,  be- 
ginning each  side  near  tip  of  snout  and  passing  up  over  eyes  and 
terminating  a  little  above  top  of  gill-cleft,  each  giving  rise  to  a 
short  branch  projecting  upward  along  the  posterior  margin  of  the 
occiput;  body  rather  deep  and  compressed,  resembling  that  of  the 
yellow  perch  or  species  of  Etheostoma ;  fins  rather  high  but  with  a 
narrow  base,  the  slender  ventrals  rca-rhing  beyond  the  origin  of 
the  anal ;  pectorals  reaching  to  vent. 

Ground  color  yellow,  each  scale  more  or  less  punctate  with 
rather  large  punctulations  so  tliat  each  scale  stands  out  distinctly, 
giving  the  whole  fish  a  checquered  appearance;  punctulations  gath- 
ered into  a  row  of  about  10  small  elongate  dots  along  middle  of 
side;  a  dark  line  downward  from  eye;  upper  fins  checked  and 
barred;  caudal  finely  barred;  lower  fins  plain. 

The  Least  Darter  varies  considerably  in  intensity  of  coloration, 
but  the  pattern  remains  about  the  same.  The  specimens  obtained 
in  the  outlet  of  Lost  Lake  are  generally  considerably  darker  than 
the  others.  These  fishes  are  aft^ected,  to  a  very  slight  extent  how- 
ever, by  the  immature  trematodes  which  produce  small  round  black 
spots  in  the  skin. 


452  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

THE  MAMMALS 

Introduction 

Very  few  local  lists  of  the  mammals  occurring  in  the  different 
counties  of  Indiana  have  ever  been  published ;  even  brief  published 
notes  and  references  are  rare,  and  as  a  consequence,  the  geographic 
distribution  within  the  State  of  the  species  found  within  its  borders 
has  not  been  carefully  worked  out.  Indeed,  data  are  wanting  for 
the  correct  identification  of  several  of  the  forms  inhabiting  the 
State. 

During  the  survey  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee  no  special  effort  was 
made  to  collect  or  study  the  mammals  native  to  the  region,  any  ob- 
servations made  or  notes  taken  having  been  entirely  incidental  to 
the  regular  work  of  the  survey,  except  with  those  species  whose 
habits  bring  them  in  relations  more  or  less  direct  with  the  life  of 
the  lake.  Among  these  are,  of  course,  the  muskrats,  minks,  otters 
and  coons ;  and  observation  of  the  habits  of  these  naturally  led 
to  recording  any  chance  observations  concerning  the  other  species 
of  the  region.  No  trapping  was  done  by  us,  except  on  one  occasion 
when  a  few  deer  mice  were  caught.  The  present  list  is  therefore 
far  from  complete,  especially  as  to  the  bats  and  mice  and  others 
of  the  less  conspicuous  species,  but  it  is  believed  it  may  prove  use- 
ful and  interesting.  It  will  serve  as  a  nucleus  around  which  addi- 
tional data  may  be  gathered  and  it  will  prove  helpful  to  the  cot- 
tagers about  the  lake  who  take  an  interest  in  nature  and  who  wish 
to  know  the  animals  that  they  meet. 

Great  changes  have  doubtless  taken  place  as  regards  the  abund- 
ance and  species  of  mammals  of  this  region  since  the  country  was 
first  settled.  The  deer,  wolf,  wildcat,  fox,  otter,  and  beaver  were 
doubtless  then  abundant,  and  most  of  the  species  were  more  com- 
mon than  now.  Many  of  these  are  now  practically  exterminated, 
and  others,  as  the  wolf  and  otter,  are  found  only  very  rarely  and 
in  the  wilder  region  west  of  Maxinkuckee  and  in  the  Kankakee 
marshes.  Such  species  as  the  muskrat,  rabbit  and  coon  have 
probably  not  been  seriously  affected  by  civilization,  albeit  they  are 
hunted  and  trapped  incessantly. 

Besides  the  30  native  species  listed  in  this  paper,  at  least  2  in- 
troduced species — the  common  rat  {Epimys  norvegicus)  and  the 
house  mouse  (Mus  musculus)  are  all  too  common. 

None  of  the  native  mammals  is  so  abundant  as  to  be  a  pest  and 
none  should  be  killed  except  the  rabbit  for  food,  the  muskrat  for 
its  fur,  and  the  mink  and  weasel  for  their  fur  and  in  the  interest 
of  the  poultry  yard.     The  bats,  moles,  and  shrews,  are  useful  and 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         453 

interesting  and  should  never  be  killed;  and  the  squirrels  should  be 
protected  at  least  until  more  abundant. 

In  nomenclature  and  sequence  of  species  we  have  followed  Mil- 
ler's "List  of  North  American  Land  Mammals  in  the  United  States 
National  Museum,  1911,"  Bull.  79,  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.,  1912,  except 
in  the  name  of  the  Wildcat,  for  which  we  have  adopted  Lynx  rufa 
Schreber,  following  Dr.  Allen  (Journal  of  Mammalogy,  Vol.  I, 
No.  2,  p.  91). 

LIST  OF  SPECIES 
1.     COMMON  OPPOSSUM 

DIDELPHIS  VIRGINIANA   Kerr 

According  to  old  settlers  the  Opossum  used  to  be  common  as 
far  north  as  northern  Indiana,  but  disappeared  from  there  many 
years  ago.  In  recent  years  they  have  been  returning  northward 
and  are  now  tolerably  common  throughout  the  northern  part  of  the 
State.  About  1887  an  old  trapper  near  Fort  Wayne  caught  one 
and  reported  that  it  was  the  first  he  had  seen  for  20  years.  No 
more  were  seen  in  that  region  until  about  1900,  when  they  began 
to  be  captured  occasionally.  In  October,  1903,  three  were  cap- 
tured in  Walley's  Vv^oods  southwest  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee  and  three 
others  were  trapped  at  Norris  Inlet.  It  was  not  seen  by  us  at  the 
lake  until  the  summer  of  1906,  when  on  August  5,  an  adult  ex- 
ample was  found  dead  on  the  lake  shore  just  north  of  the  Outlet. 
On  October  30,  1906,  another  was  seen  in  the  possession  of  a  boy 
at  Culver,  who  reported  the  capture  of  three  on  the  previous  night. 
One  is  reported  to  have  stayed  under  the  Barr  Cottage  on  Long 
Point  during  the  winter  of  1906-7.  About  September  3,  1907, 
boys  living  in  Culver  got  an  old  Opossum  with  a  number  of  young 
in  her  pouch.     They  did  not  count  the  young,  but  let  her  go. 

The  northward  movement  of  the  Opossum  seems  to  have  been 
general  over  the  State.  They  are  occasionally  taken  in  Marshall 
and  adjoining  counties.  They  are  frequently  seen  at  Fort  Wayne, 
Indiana,  a  few  being  captured  every  winter. 

2.     COMMON  MOLE 

SCALOPUS  AQUATICUS  MACHRINl'S    (Rafinesquc) 

The  Mole  is  very  common  about  this  lake.  Its  burrows  may  be 
seen  in  all  suitable  places.  The  loose,  sandy  soil  is  particularly 
well  adapted  to  their  habits.  They  are  usually  abundant  on  Long- 
Point,  also  along  the  railroad,  in  the  fields  and  open  woodlands 
about  the  lake,  in  the  Academy  grounds,  and  in  fact  in  all  situ- 


454         Lake  Maxmkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

ations  in  the  country  where  the  conditions  are  favorable.  Their 
burrows  are  often  seen  along  the  railroad,  and  frequently  they  are 
seen  to  pass  from  one  side  of  the  track  to  the  other,  passing  under 
the  rails  between  the  ties.  Several  of  their  burrows  were  noted  in 
various  places  about  the  lake  in  September  and  October,  1913. 

Several  were  caught  during  our  stay  at  the  lake.  When  a  cap- 
tive mole  is  released  it  does  not  attempt  to  escape  by  running  away 
but  at  once  begins  to  dig  or  burrow,  and  in  an  incredibly  short 
time  it  has  sunk  into  the  ground  and  entirely  disappeared. 

The  popular  prejudice  against  the  mole  based  on  the  belief  that 
it  is  injurious  to  vegetation  is  entirely  unjustified.  Moles  are  in- 
sectivorous in  their  habits  and  do  not  eat  garden  plants  or  vege- 
tables at  all.  The  only  possible  harm  they  cause  is  the  slight  in- 
jury they  sometimes  do  to  lawns  by  their  burrows.  This,  how- 
ever, is  infinitesimal  in  comparison  with  the  great  good  done  by 
ridding  the  fields,  gardens  and  lawns  of  noxious  worms,  insects 
and  larvse. 

3.     MOLE  SHREW 

BLARINA   BREVICAUDA    (Say) 

On  account  of  its  nocturnal  and  underground  habits  the  Mole 
Shrew  is  not  often  seen  and  is  therefore  not  very  well  or  generally 
known  even  to  those  living  in  localities  in  which  it  is  really  com- 
mon. It  is  probably  not  uncommon  about  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  We 
have  records  of  10  specimens,  of  which  nine  were  found  dead  as 
follows :  One  in  road  south  of  Arlington,  in  August,  1899 ;  one  on 
lake  shore  October  20,  1900 ;  one  south  of  Arlington,  October  9, 
1906 ;  one  at  ice-houses,  October  22,  1906 ;  one  on  Long  Point, 
October  29,  1906;  one  on  Long  Point,  September  25,  1907;  one  in 
road  on  Long  Point,  October  13,  1907.  One  was  caught  in  a  trap 
on  west  side  of  lake,  November  1,  and  another  on  Long  Point, 
October  22,  1906.    One  was  caught  by  a  cat,  October  3,  1906. 

Special  search  would  no  doubt  have  enabled  us  to  find  many 
more  specimens  of  this  curious  little  creature. 

The  stomach  of  the  one  caught  October  22,  contained  many 
parasites  resembling  tapeworms.  The  one  found  October  29  was 
lying  at  the  edge  of  the  water  and  was  covered  with  leeches. 

Why  these  little  creatures  are  so  often  found  dead  is  not  well 
understood.  It  has  been  suggested  that  the  fetid  odor  of  this  ani- 
mal, particularly  the  male,  causes  it  to  be  rejected  by  animals  which 
would  otherwise  prey  upon  it,  and  that  those  found  dead  are  in- 
dividuals which  have  been  caught  by  hawks  or  owls  and  dropped 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         455 

after  discovering*  the  disagreeable  odor  possessed  by  the  Httle  ani- 
mal which  the  hawk  or  owl  at  first  thought  would  prove  a  delici- 
ous titbit. 

The  carnivorous,  bloodthirsty  nature  of  the  Mole  Shrew  has 
been  noted  by  many  observers.  On  two  different  occasions  we  put 
a  Mole  Shrew  in  a  box  with  a  white-footed  mouse  and  in  each  case 
the  shrew  killed  and  ate  the  mouse.  Others  have  recorded  similar 
experiences.  One  observer  records  the  fact  that  a  Mole  Shrew 
ate  three  times  its  own  weight  of  meadow  mice  in  24  hours. 

4.     LITTLE  BROWN  BAT 

MYOTIS  LUCIFUGUS    (LeConte) 

The  Little  Brown  Bat  is  quite  common  about  the  lake.  They 
first  appear  early  in  April  and  remain  out  at  least  until  November. 
We  have  definite  records  of  April  10,  June  23,  September  17,  Oc- 
tober 9,  and  November  1. 

On  still  evenings  from  May  to  October,  just  as  the  twilight 
deepens  and  objects  at  a  distance  become  indistinct,  these  little 
creatures  come  out  from  their  hiding  places  and  may  be  seen  cir- 
cling in  and  out  among  the  cottages  and  trees,  and  now  and  then 
out  over  the  lake  in  their  search  for  food.  Rarely  are  they  seen 
before  sundown,  but  on  moonlit  nights  we  have  seen  them  out 
over  the  lake  as  late  as  eleven  o'clock. 

5.     TIMBER  WOLF 

CANIS  OCCIDENTALIS   (Richardson) 

The  Timber  Wolf  or  Big  Gray  Wolf  was  doubtless  very  abund- 
ant throughout  the  wooded  portion  of  Indiana  in  the  early  days. 
It  still  occurs  in  some  numbers  in  the  more  wild  regions.  IMr. 
Anton  Meyer  tells  us  that  he  got  a  few  pelts  each  winter  up  to 
1905-6,  from  the  region  northwest  of  Plymouth  toward  the  Kanka- 
kee marshes.  During  a  visit  to  Starke  County  in  1906  we  heard 
statements  to  the  effect  that  large  wolves  are  occasionally  seen  and 
heard  in  the  vicinity  of  Knox.  Dr.  Hahn  in  his  "Mammals  of  the 
Kankakee  Valley"  states  that  the  reports  of  the  occurrence  of  the 
Timber  Wolf  in  that  region  are  conflicting  and  that  it  may  be  that 
only  the  Prairie  Wolf  is  found  there.  Mr.  Meyer,  however,  states 
positively  that  he  gets  pelts  of  two  different  species,  a  "large  gray 
timber  wolf"  and  a  "smaller  prairie  wolf." 


456         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

6.     PRAIRIE  WOLF 

CANIS   LATRANS  Say 

The  Prairie  Wolf,  or  Coyote  as  it  is  more  commonly  known  in 
the  West  where  it  is  abundant,  is  not  known  to  occur  in  the  im- 
mediate vicinity  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  It  is  a  species  of  the 
prairies,  occurring  in  some  abundance  in  the  prairie  counties  in  the 
northwest  corner  of  the  State,  particularly  in  Benton,  Lake, 
Newton,  Jasper  and  Starke  counties.  Dr.  Hahn  records  a  large 
number  from  these  counties.  He  also  states  that  a  pack  of  mod- 
erate size  was  seen  near  Leesburg,  Kosciusko  County,  in  the  win- 
ter of  1906-7.  On  May  16,  1906,  two  examples,  a  male  and  a 
female,  were  killed  near  McCoysburg,  Jasper  County,  by  Mr. 
Charles  W.  Bussel,  who  forwarded  them  to  the  U.  S.  National 
Museum.  This  place  is  about  25  miles  southwest  of  Lake  Maxin-* 
kuckee.  Mr.  Anton  Meyer  of  Plymouth,  Indiana,  already  quoted, 
informs  us  that  he  usually  gets  a  few  small  prairie  wolf  pelts  each 
winter,  chiefly  from  Starke  and  Jasper  counties.  As  the  prairie  of 
this  portion  of  the  State  reaches  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  quite 
probable  that  this  wolf  occurs  there.  Dr.  Hahn  expresses  the  be- 
^^f'f  that  the  Coyote  has  doubtless  increased  greatly  in  numbers  in 
recent  years  in  the  northwestern  portion  of  the  State  and  that  its 
range  is  gradually  extending  eastward. 

7.    RED  FOX 

VULPES   FULVA    (Desmarest) 

Formerly  common  throughout  the  State  but  now  not  often  seen. 
A  few  burrows  believed  to  be  those  of  Foxes  were  observed  in 
Walley's  woods  and  near  the  outlet,  southwest  of  the  lake.  The 
only  Foxes  actually  seen  by  us  about  the  lake  were  a  family  of 
three  young  and  their  mother  found  April  18,  1901,  in  a  den  in 
Green's  field  southwest  of  the  lake.  The  old  one  was  shot,  and  the 
three  young  taken  as  pets.  One  of  them  promptly  escaped,  but  the 
other  two  were  kept  for  several  weeks  when  a  second  one  escaped. 
The  remaining  one  for  som  5  unknown  reason  became  paralyzed  in 
its  hind  legs.  It  was  permitted  to  go  about  as  best  it  could,  and 
finally  took  up  its  residence  among  the  bushes  in  Green's  marsh. 
Here  the  dog  would  occasionally  go  to  tease  it,  but  the  young  fox 
was  always  able  to  keep  the  dog  off.  Late  in  the  summer  it  dis- 
appeared and  was  not  seen  again. 

On  the  morning  of  October  16,  1913,  as  the  senior  author  of  this 
report  was  coming  up  the  E  ankakee  River  from  the  Warden's 
Island,  a  fox  was  seen  standing-  on  a  soft  maple  tree  that  leaned  out 


Lake  Maximkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         457 

almost  horizontally  from  the  bank  over  the  river.  As  our  boat  ap- 
proached the  fox  watched  us  a  moment  then  turned  about  and 
disappeared  among  the  bushes  on  shore. 

8.  RACCOON 

PROCYON  LOTOR   (Linnaeus) 

The  Raccoon  appears  to  be  somewhat  common,  especially  in  the 
large  stretch  of  heavy  woodland  east  of  the  lake.  It  also  occurs 
west  of  the  lake  as  well  as  north  and  south  of  it,  as  evidenced  by 
its  depredations  in  the  cornfields  at  roasting-ear  time,  and,  later 
in  the  year,  by  the  piles  of  shells  it  leaves  from  its  feasts  on  fresh- 
water mussels,  a  habit  it  shares  with  the  muskrat.  In  the  spring 
of  1901  they  were  often  heard  at  night — a  shivering  call  not  unlike 
that  of  the  screech  owl.  In  January,  1904,  one  was  caught  near 
Monterey  and  another  was  taken  east  of  the  lake  in  November.  In 
1906  one  was  seen  on  east  side,  October  30.  On  September  7, 
1907,  five  young  Coons  about  two-thirds  grown  were  got  from  a 
tree  on  the  east  side.  The  old  ones  escaped.  Five  days  later 
three  others  were  caught. 

Mr.  S.  S.  Chadwick  says  that  the  largest  coon  he  ever  saw 
weighed  18  pounds ;  this  was  in  Pennsylvania. 

In  the  Delphi  Journal  was  recently  noted  the  capture  of  a  coon 
near  Russiaville,  Howard  County,  Indiana,  which  weighed  34 
pounds. 

Raccoon  tracks  were  seen  on  the  south  shore  of  the  lake  east  of 
the  Farrar  cottage  October  5,  1913.  Raccoons  are  said  to  be  com- 
mon along  the  Kankakee.  In  1912  their  pelts  brought  $1.50  to 
$2.00  each.  One  trapper  at  Maxinkuckee  secured  two  raccoons  in 
the  winter  of  1911,  two  in  1912,  and  one  in  1913.  The  pelts  sold 
for  $1.00  to  $2.50  each.  Another  secured  about  12  in  1911-12, 
worth  $1.50  to  $2.75  each,  16  in  1912-13,  worth  $1.50  to  $3.00  each, 
and  eight  in  1913-14,  which  he  sold  at  $1.50  to  $2.50  each. 

9.  WEASEL 

MUSTELA  NOVEBORACENSIS    (Emmons) 

The  Weasel  is  generally  common  throughout  Indiana.  It  is  not 
rare  about  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  although  it  is  not  often  seen. 

Augaist  3,  1899,  one  was  found  freshly  dead  at  the  edge  of  the 
lake  near  Green's  pier.  An  adult  male  was  killed  August  19,  1901. 
on  Long  Point,  where  it  had  taken  up  a  temporary  residence  under 
the  floor  of  a  tent.  Another  fine  large  example  was  found  dead 
near  the  railroad,  south  of  the  lake,  in  December,  1904.     In  the 


458         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

winter  of  1912-13  one  trapper  got  two  pelts  which  he  sold  for  20 
cents  each. 

About  July  15,  1902,  Mr.  S.  S.  Chadwick  saw  a  weasel  chasing 
a  rabbit.  The  rabbit  came  out  upon  the  road  on  Long  Point, 
turned  back  toward  the  lake,  and  then  ran  south.  Just  then  a 
Weasel  came  along  on  the  rabbit's  trail.  When  it  reached  the 
road  and  saw  that  it  was  being  watched  it  stopped  a  moment,  then, 
not  at  all  frightened,  stai-ted  on  after  the  rabbit.  Losing  the  trail 
the  weasel  came  back  and  hunted  about  until  it  was  recovered,  then 
again  followed  it  by  scent  just  as  a  dog  would.  The  rabbit  ap- 
peared greatly  frightened,  its  eyes  popped  and  shining.  The  Weasel 
was  very  quick  and  alert. 

It  is  said  to  occur  in  limited  numbers  on  the  higher  ground  back 
from  the  Kankakee  River. 

10.'   MINK 

MUSTELA  VISON   LUTREOCEPHALA    (Harlan) 

The  Mink  is  not  common  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Lake 
Maxinkuckee,  but  it  is  said  to  be  more  plentiful  a  few  miles  to  the 
westward  and  along  Yellow  and  Tippecanoe  rivers.  One  was 
killed  in  February,  1898,  near  the  Winfield  cottage;  others  were 
obtained  about  the  lake  December  18,  1899,  January  19,  1900,  and 
November  9,  1900.  On  April  5,  1901,  a  skull  of  a  female  mink 
was  picked  up  near  Lost  Lake.  A  few  were  trapped  in  the  winter 
of  1903-4 ;  three  at  Norris  Inlet  in  October,  and  one  at  the  ice- 
houses December  14.  On  December  17,  1901,  a  mink  dragged 
three  ducks  from  the  ice  on  the  lake  to  a  hole  under  a  stone  wall 
on  Long  Point. 

In  the  winter  of  1906-7,  a  mink  track  was  observed  on  the  shore 
at  the  Shady  Point  cottage.  The  mink  had  gone  south  toward 
Murray's  until  opposite  the  Gravelpit  when  it  went  out  on  the  ice 
several  rods  to  an  open  place  where  it  evidently  fed  for  a  time, 
after  which  it  returned  on  the  ice  to  the  shore  and  then  followed 
the  lake  shore  on  south  nearly  to  Murray's,  where  it  was  found 
under  the  edge  of  the  ice  and  killed.  It  was  in  some  respects 
an  abnormal  mink,  the  head  and  shoulders  being  unusually  heavy, 
the  body  short  and  thick  like  that  of  a  coon,  and  the  color  jet 
black.     The  pelt  sold  for  $3.50. 

On  September  7,  1907,  a  very  large  mink  was  seen  in  Outlet 
Bay  between  Chadwick's  Hotel  and  the  north  end  of  the  icehouses. 
It  was  watched  for  some  time  and  was  evidently  feeding.  It  would 
dive  and  remain  under  a  few  seconds,  then  come  up  not  far  from 


Lake  Maxinlaickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         459 

where  it  went  under.  After  remaining  at  the  surface  a  minute 
or  two,  swimming  and  turning  about  in  a  narrow  area,  apparently 
eating  what  it  had  brought  up,  it  would  dive  again.  Often  the 
entire  length  from  nose  to  tip  of  tail  could  be  seen  just  above  the 
water  surface.  When  it  dived  it  humped  its  back,  going  under 
head  first,  the  entire  length  of  the  tail  (except  the  tip)  which 
seemed  to  be  quite  long,  often  coming  entirely  out  of  the  water. 

After  feeding  for  more  than  20  minutes  it  swam  to  its  burrow 
on  shore  near  the  steamer  slip.  What  it  was  feeding  on  was  not 
determined. 

In  July,  1907,  Dr.  J.  T.  Scovell  found  a  family  of  young  minks 
on  the  Tippecanoe  River,  below  Delong.  They  were  on  a  mass  of 
drift  in  the  stream.  Tliey  were  moving  about  on  the  drift  from 
one  part  to  another.  As  the  boat  approached,  the  two  old  minks 
swam  out  toward  it,  and  as  the  boat  floated  by  they  made  a  wheezy 
noise  which  they  continued  until  the  boat  was  some  distance  below 
them  when  they  returned  to  the  drift,  into  which  the  young  had 
disappeared. 

11.  SKUNK 

MEPHITIS  MESOMELAS  AVIA    (Bangs) 

The  Skunk  or  Polecat  is  not  common  in  this  region,  but  it 
is  apparently  becoming  more  frequent.  We  saw  none  in  1899  and 
1900,  but  that  the  country  was  not  wholly  deprived  of  this  inter- 
esting animal  was  on  several  occasions  made  evident  by  the  pres- 
ence of  the  well-known  diagnostic  odor. 

On  September  16,  1906,  the  mangled  remains  of  one  were  found 
on  the  railroad  track  near  the  Gravelpit;  it  had  evidently  been 
run  over  by  a  passing  train.  On  September  20,  1907,  a  freshly 
skinned  skunk  was  seen  in  the  possession  of  a  hunter  at  Culver. 
The  skin  was  22  inches  long,  and  the  tail  10  inches.  The  roots  of 
the  hairs  show  through  the  skin  so  that  the  skin  looks  black  under 
the  black  parts  and  white  under  the  white  dorsal  stripe. 

12.  BADGER 

TAXIDEA  TAXUS  (Schicbei) 

Never  more  than  veiy  rare  in  Indiana  and  now  probably  ex- 
tinct in  this  part  of  the  State.  In  1893,  Mr.  S.  D.  Steininger,  then 
of  La  Grange  County,  reported  that  the  Badger  has  been  louiul 
in  Elkhart,  La  Grange,  Steuben,  De  Kalb,  Noble  and  Kosciusko 
counties;  that  four  had  been  caught  in  La  Grange  County  within 
the  last  10  years,  the  last  in  1887 ;  that  three  were  caught  in  the 


460         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

northeast  part  of  Elkhart  County  in  1888,  and  a  black  one  in 
Noble  County  in  1880.  Various  old  residents  say  that  it  was  for- 
merly found  in  Marshall  County. 

IS.    OTTER 

LUTRA   CANADENSIS   LATAXINA    (F.   Cuvier) 

The  Otter  was  formerly  not  uncommon  in  this  region,  but  it 
is  now  very  rare.  One  was  caught  on  the  Tippecanoe  River  just 
below  Belong  about  1895.  Mr.  Anton  Meyer,  a  fur  buyer  of  Ply- 
mouth, Ind.,  tells  us  that  he  gets  10  or  12  Otter  skins  each  year, 
chiefly  from  the  Tippecanoe  and  Yellow  rivers. 

14.    WILD  CAT 

LYNX    RUFA   Schiebcr 

The  Wild  Cat  or  Lynx  was  probably  not  uncommon  in  this 
country  up  to  about  1850.  They  are  now  rarely  seen.  We  have 
unauthenticated  accounts  of  their  occurrence  west  of  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee as  late  as  1870,  or  later.  Dr.  Hahn  records  the  killing  of 
one  near  Oxford,  Benton  County,  in  1905. 

15.    MICHIGAN  WHITE-FOOTED  MOUSE 

PEROMYSCUS  MANICULATUS   BAIRDII    (Hoy   &   Kennicstt) 

This  species  is  not  as  abundant  as  the  Common  White-footed 
Mouse,  It  does  not  appear  to  venture  into  woodlands  or  swamps, 
but  seems  to  prefer  dry,  open  situations  such  as  the  edges  of  fields 
and  grassy  pastures.  Its  general  distribution  is  more  northern 
than  that  of  its  near  relative  P.  lencopns  noveboracensis.  It  is 
very  abundant  in  the  sand  dunes  that  border  Lake  Michigan.  At 
Maxinkuckee  it  is  probably  not  uncommon,  though  we  have  seen 
only  three  examples.  One  was  found  dead  on  the  railroad  track 
November  3,  1904.  Another  captured  at  the  Gravelpit  October 
29,  1906,  gave  the  following  measurements :  Length  118  mm. ; 
tail  48 ;  hind  foot  9 ;  ear  10 ;  girth  55.  A  third  example  was  cap- 
tured November  3,  1906,  in  a  cornfield  east  of  the  lake. 

The  young  of  this  mouse  differ  from  the  adult  in  being  drab  in 
color  instead  of  yellowish-brown.  On  one  occasion  when  trapping 
these  mice  for  specimens  it  was  observed  that  they  were  quite  seri- 
ously infested  by  fleas.  The  examples  thus  afllicted  could  usually 
be  recognized  at  once  by  their  having  the  hair  gnawed  or  scratched 
out  from  about  the  root  of  the  tail. 

This  mouse  can  be  distinguished  from  its  more  common  relative 


Lake  Maxiukuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         461 

(the  Common  White-footed  Mouse)  by  its  smaller  size,  smaller 
ears  and  feet,  and  shorter  tail,  the  tail  being  more  thickly  hairy 
and  more  sharply  bicolor.  The  adult  is  yellowish-brown,  with  a 
sooty  dorsal  band;  belly  white;  feet  not  quite  white;  tail  bicolor. 
Length  4^  inches,  tail  1^  inches. 

-       16.    COMMON   WHITE-FOOTED   MOUSE;    DEER  MOUSE 

PEROMYSCUS  LEUCOPUS  NOVEBORACENSIS  (Fischer) 

This  is  the  common  wild  mouse  of  Indiana.  At  Maxinkuckee 
it  is  abundant  not  only  in  the  fields  and  woods  but  also  about  the 
cottages  around  the  lake.  Any  old  pile  of  wood,  boards,  logs  or 
brush,  stack  of  straw  or  hay,  or  shock  of  fodder,  is  almost  sure  to 
contain  at  least  one  family  of  these  beautiful  and  interesting  little 
animals.  They  ijiay  also  be  found  in  almost  any  old  dead  tree, 
whether  in  open  woods  or  dense  forest,  in  which  there  are  natural 
hollows  or  deserted  woodpecker  holes. 

Several  examples  were  trapped  in  July  at  the  cottage  occupied 
by  us  on  Long  Point.  A  male  was  captured  October  20,  1906,  at 
the  pond  below  Farrar's  woods. 

These  mice  feed  largely  upon  beechnuts  of  which  they  often 
store  up  considerable  quantities  for  winter  use.  We  have  on  vari- 
ous occasions  found  more  than  a  pint  of  beechnuts  stored  in  a  hole 
in  some  old  tree,  evidently  by  these  mice.  They  do  not  hibernate, 
but  remain  quite  active  during  even  the  most  severe  winters. 
Their  tracks  may  be  seen  in  abundance  in  the  snow.  They  also 
feed  on  small  snails  and  other  small,  delicate  mollusks  such  as 
Physa,  Limnsea  and  Sphserium.  We  have  frequently  found  shells, 
with  the  apex  bitten  off,  in  and  about  the  nests  of  these  mice. 

They  breed  probably  several  times  each  season,  as  we  have  seen 
young  as  early  as  March  and  as  late  as  November.  The  number 
of  young  produced  in  a  litter  ranges  from  four  to  six.  We  have 
frequently  caught  old  females  with  the  young  hanging  to  the  teats 
and  carried  them  many  rods  before  the  young  dropped  off. 

On  two  occasions  when  one  of  us  put  a  shrew  {Blarina  brevi- 
cauda)  in  a  box  with  a  Deer  Mouse  the  shrew  killed  and  ate  the 
mouse. 

The  Deer  Mouse  is  readily  distinguished  from  related  species. 
It  attains  a  length  6.5  inches  including  the  tail  which  is  3  to  3.25 
inches  long.  In  color  it  is  yellowish  brown,  grayish,  or  fawn- 
color  ;  belly  and  feet  pure  white ;  tail  less  distinctly  bicolor  than  in 
the  Michigan  White-footed  Mouse. 


462  Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

17.    FIELD  MOUSE;  MEADOW  MOUSE;   VOLE 

MICROTUS  PENNSYLVANICUS   (Ord) 

The  Meadow  Mouse  is  abundant  in  all  suitable  situations  about 
the  lake.  The  extensive  areas  of  semi-marshy  grassy  land  supply 
an  ideal  habitat  for  this  noxious  but  interesting  little  animal. 
Wherever  there  are  meadows  or  marsh  ground  covered  with 
grasses  there  these  mice  will  be  found,  their  labyrinthine  runways 
forming  an  intricate  network  under  the  dead  grass  where  their 
nests  are  numerous  and  usually  quite  conspicuous.  These  run- 
ways are  very  common  in  the  low  marshy  meadows  such  as  are 
usually  submerged  during  the  winter  and  spring,  during  which 
time  the  mice  must  retreat  to  higher  ground.  They  do  not  hiber- 
nate but  continue  very  active  throughout  the  winter.  In  the  spring 
when  the  snow  melts  away  their  runways  that  were  under  it  be- 
come quite  conspicuous.  ♦ 

This  species  is  very  destructive  to  grasses  and  other  cultivated 
crops.  When  the  corn  is  cut  and  left  in  shocks  in  the  field  these 
mice  establish  themselves  in  nearly  every  shock,  building  a  nest 
near  the  center  and  feeding  destructively  upon  the  corn.  The 
amount  of  damage  done  in  this  way  to  the  average  field  of  corn  is 
very  considerable  and  far  in  excess  of  that  done  to  the  poultry  yard 
by  the  hawks  which,  if  not  destroyed  by  the  farmer,  would  do 
much  to  hold  the  Field  Mice  in  check.  The  Marsh  Hawk,  Sparrow 
Hawk,  Pigeon  Hawk  and  Cooper's  Hawk,  as  well  as  the  various 
owls  all  prey  on  these  mice. 

On  October  24,  1904,  a  Meadow  Mouse  was  found  on  the  lake 
shore,  beheaded,  possibly  by  some  bird  of  prey.  November  1, 
1904,  a  cat  was  seen  with  one.  December  11,  1904,  one  was  seen 
near  a  muskrat  house  in  Norris  Inlet  marsh. 

18.    PINE  MOUSE 

PITYMYS  PINETORUM  SCALOPSOIDES   (Audubon  &  Bachman) 

Probably  not  common.  We  know  of  only  one  specimen  taken 
at  the  lake.  It  v/as  secured  November  29,  1913,  and  sent  to  the 
National  Museum  where  it  was  identified  by  Mr.  N.  Hollister. 

19.    MUSKRAT 

ONDATRA  ZIBETHICA   (Linnseus) 

The  Muskrat  is  a  familiar  and  well-known  animal  throughout 
North  America  wherever  there  are  marshes,  ponds  or  streams. 
Among  the  hundreds  of  small  lakes  and  smaller  ponds  in  northern 
Indiana  there  is  probably  not  one  that  is  not  the  home  of  one  to 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         463 

several  pairs  of  these  interesting  rodents.  At  and  about  Lake 
Maxinkuckee  it  is  quite  common,  albeit  not  often  seen  except  by 
the  few  elect  who  know  when  and  where  to  look  for  it.  In  the 
autumn  and  early  winter,  especially  in  the  evening  and  early  morn- 
ing, they  may  be  seen  swimming  about  or  heard  splashing  among 
the  weeds  near  shore.  It  is  at  this  time  that  they  begin  to  build 
their  houses,  and  day  by  day  those  who  pass  along  the  shores  of 
the  lakes  or  about  the  ponds  and  marshes  may  notice  the  increase 
in  size  of  the  piles  of  Chara  and  rushes  of  which  they  build  their 
winter  homes.  These  homes  or  houses  are  built  almost  anywhere 
along  the  shore  in  shallow  water  or  even  well  out  in  small  shallow 
ponds  wherever  there  is  suitable  building  material  conveniently  at 
hand.  Every  Scirpus  patch  is  likely  to  contain  one  or  more  of 
these  houses.  On  the  west  side  of  the  lake  we  usually  found  one 
in  a  small  pond  by  the  side  of  the  railroad  just  north  of  the  Assem- 
bly grounds,  two  or  thiee  in  the  edge  of  the  lake  between  there 
and  Culver,  one  near  the  Winfield  cottage,  one  or  more  in  Outlet 
Bay,  two  or  three  between  Long  Point  and  Murray's,  six  or  more 
from  Murray's  to  Norris  Inlet,  a  score  or  more  about  Norris  Inlet, 
several  along  Aubeenaubee  Creek  and  perhaps  a  dozen  in  the 
northeast  corner  of  the  lake  and  along  Culver  Creek.  A  great 
many  are  seen  each  year  about  Lost  Lake  and  along  the  Outlet 
throughout  its  entire  length,  even  to  Tippecanoe  River.  Each  of 
the  marshes  and  ponds  west  of  the  lake  has  its  share  of  nests 
and  each  old  kettle  hole  that  is  not  too  dry  will  have  one  or  more. 

While  these  are  the  usual  places  where  the  muskrats  build  their 
houses,  now  and  then  a  house  is  found  in  some  quite  unusual  and 
unexpected  place.  Among  them  are  the  cross-timbers  under  the 
piers  at  the  cottages  about  the  lake.  December  24,  1900,  a  com- 
pleted nest  was  found  lesting  cosily  on  cross-timbers  under  the 
pier  at  the  Lakeview  Hotel.  Though  not  large  this  nest  was  com- 
pactly built.  It  was  composed  almost  wholly  of  Chara  and  was 
a  foot  or  more  above  the  surface  of  the  water.  November  2,  1904, 
another  nest  was  found  in  a  similar  situation  on  cross-timbers  at 
the  distal  end  of  the  Culver  depot  pier.  This  nest  was  quite  large 
and  composed  chiefly  of  Chara.  When  disturbed  the  owners  of 
these  nests  would  drop  quietly  into  the  water  and  swim  away. 

Toward  the  last  of  October,  1904,  a  nest  was  found  on  the  seat 
of  an  abandoned  boat  near  Murray's.  This  nest  was  newly  built 
and  consisted  chiefly  of  Chara  and  Scirpus  stems.  Later,  when 
the  lake  froze  over  it  was  deserted.  Still  another  nest  was  found 
on  the  top  of  a  tree  that  had  fallen  into  the  lake,  and  yet  another 
on  the  boughs  of  a  broken  tree  that  extended  into  the  water. 

30—17618 


464         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

The  most  interesting  and  unique  situation  selected  by  a  musk- 
rat  for  its  house  ever  seen  by  us  was  a  large  dry-goods  box  which 
a  duck-hunter  had  anchored  in  Outlet  Bay  for  use  as  a  blind  from 
which  to  shoot  ducks.  The  box  was  anchored  some  distance  from 
shore  with  the  open  side  toward  the  shore.  Bushes  with  leaves 
still  on  were  stuck  in  the  lake  about  the  box  to  aid  in  concealing 
the  gunner  and  his  boat,  a  half-inch  manila  rope  being  used  to  hold 
the  box  at  anchor.  On  visiting  the  blind  one  morning  in  October 
more  than  a  peck  of  fresh  wet  Chara  was  found  in  the  box.  The 
amount  was  increased  each  night  for  the  next  few  days  until  it 
consisted  of  more  than  a  bushel  of  material,  almost  wholly  Chara. 
One  morning  the  box  was  missing  and  the  next  day  it  was  found  on 
the  east  side  of  the  lake  where  it  had  evidently  been  drifted  by  the 
wind.  An  examination  of  the  anchor  rope  disclosed  the  fact  that 
it  had  been  gnawed  in  two  by  the  Muskrat  itself  which  thus  set 
its  own  home  adrift. 

The  materials  which  the  Muskrat  uses  in  constructing  its  winter 
houses  are  chiefly  various  aquatic  plants  such  as  Chara,  water 
lilies  (both  white  and  yellow) ,  Potamogeton,  Myriophyllum,  Cera- 
tophyllum,  Scirpus,  Typha,  Iris,  and  the  like,  and  our  observations 
lead  us  to  believe  that  they  utilize  at  least  some  of  this  material 
as  food.  Along  with  these  various  plants  will  often  be  found 
stems  and  sticks  of  various  sizes.  In  Lost  Lake  some  of  the 
houses  contain  a  considerable  proportion  of  mud. 

During  the  summer  the  muskrats  appear  to  subsist  almost 
wholly  on  vegetable  matter.  In  the  early  fall  they  sometimes  make 
foraging  trips  to  nearby  gardens  where  they  commit  depredations 
on  the  carrots,  parsnips,  beets,  turnips  and  other  succulent  vege- 
tables. They  also  eat  the  seeds  as  well  as  the  stems  and  roots  of 
the  yellow  and  the  white  pond  lilies.  They  gnaw  the  bark  from 
the  roots  and  stems  of  Swamp  Loosestrife  {Decodon  vertic Hiatus) 
and  the  Buttonbush  (CejJhalanthus  occidefitalis) .  Later  in  the 
fall  and  during  the  winter  animal  food  enters  more  largely  into 
their  menu.  We  have  found  them  feeding  on  dead  coots  and  ducks 
that  had  drifted  ashore  or  which,  wounded  by  some  gunner,  had 
escaped  among  the  weeds  and  sedges  fringing  the  lake.  They  also 
feed  on  turtles  of  various  species  which  they  find  dead  or  which 
they  themselves  may  kill.  On  several  occasions  we  have  found 
partly  devoured  turtles  under  circumstances  which  left  no  doubt 
as  to  what  had  been  feeding  on  them.  December  11,  1904,  several 
dead  painted  turtles  and  a  few  musk  turtles  were  found  near  Nor- 
ris  Inlet  lying  on  their  backs  on  the  snow  or  ice,  with  the  flesh 
wholly  or  partly  devoured,  and  Muskrat  tracks  leading  to  and  from 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         465 

them  and  all  about.  The  most  important  element  of  the  winter 
food  of  the  Muskrat,  however,  is  the  freshwater  mussels  or  Union- 
idse.  At  various  places  along  the  shore,  wherever  an  object  pro- 
jects out  into  the  water,  such  as  a  log  or  pier,  or  fallen  tree-top, 
there  will  be  found  in  autumn  or  early  winter  a  pile  of  mussel 
shells  where  muskrats  have  been  feeding.  These  piles  are  fre- 
quently of  considerable  size,  containing  sometimes  a  bushel  or 
more  of  shells.  September  24,  1907,  one  of  these  piles  on  Long 
Point  was  examined.  It  was  off  shore  several  feet  and  in  water 
18  inches  deep.  About  one-half  of  the  shells  were  examined  criti- 
cally and  counted.  There  were  532  shells,  representing  4  species 
as  follows:  Lampsilis  luteola,  358;  Unio  gibbosus,  167;  L.  iris, 
6 ;  and  L.  multiradiata,  1. 

During  the  fall  these  operations  are  probably  confined  to  mus- 
sels which  they  find  in  shallow  water  near  shore.  In  winter,  how- 
ever, when  ice-cracks  form  and  extend  well  across  the  lake,  the 
Muskrats  go  far  out  on  the  ice,  dive  through  the  cracks  and  bring 
up  mussels  which  they  cat  sitting  on  the  ice.  At  such  times  they 
get  mussels  at  considerable  distances  from  shore.  In  the  first  days 
of  January,  1905,  a  broad  crack  formed  in  the  ice  from  Long  Point 
to  the  Norris  boathouse.  On  January  4,  a  Muskrat  w^as  seen  at 
the  edge  of  this  crack  about  1,000  feet  from  shore  eating  mussels. 
It  would  dive  through  the  crack  and  after  a  little  while  reappear 
with  a  mussel.  Sometinies  it  dived  five  or  six  times  before  secur- 
ing one.  It  would  then  sit  up  on  its  haunches,  holding  the  mussel 
in  its  paws  and,  by  much  clawing  and  chewing,  finally  succeed  in 
opening  the  shell  and  removing  the  meat,  which  it  usually  licked 
out  quite  clean.  In  some  cases  the  muskrat  failed  to  get  the  shell 
open.  Usually  the  shells  are  but  little  or  not  at  all  broken;  even 
the  hinge  still  holds  and  the  shells  are  scarcely  injured.  It  is  our 
observation  that  the  Muskrat,  by  inserting  its  claws  or  teeth  be- 
tween the  valves  succeeds  in  cutting  or  tearing  loose  the  adductor 
muscles  so  as  to  permit  the  valves  to  spring  open.  Another  Musk- 
rat  was  observed  further  out  on  the  same  crack,  a  long  distance 
from  shore,  and  the  ice  along  the  crack  between  the  two  was  pretty 
thickly  strewn  with  shells.  The  Muskrats  apparently  do  not  care 
so  much  for  mussel-gills  filled  with  eggs  or  glochidia,  as  these  are 
usually  rejected.  The  stomach  of  a  Muskrat  examined  at  Wash- 
ington, D,  C,  late  in  the  spring  was  found  well-filled  with  mussel 
remains.  Muskrats  also  feed  to  a  considerable  extent  on  fish, 
crawfish  and  frogs.  We  have  on  more  than  one  occasion  found 
partly  devoured  fish  at  their  feeding  stations,  and  remains  of  fish, 
frogs  and  crustaceans  in  their  kitchenmiddens.     We  have  never 


466         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

seen  a  Muskrat  catch  a  live  fish,  but  have  no  doubt  they  do  so. 
They  certainly  pick  up  freshly  dead  fish  which  they  chance  to  find. 

At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  the  Muskrats  raise  at  least  two  litters, 
and  probably  three,  each  season,  the  first  litter  being  born  about 
the  first  week  in  May.  About  the  middle  of  June,  1901,  young 
muskrats  about  half-grown  were  seen  swimming  about  or  sitting 
on  their  haunches  on  shore  eating  bits  of  lily  roots.  These  were 
probably  of  the  first  litter.  ^  On  June  15,  1903,  a  nest  with  five 
young  was  found  in  a  pile  of  brush  on  marshy  ground  on  Long 
Point.  The  young  were  evidently  not  more  than  a  few  days  old, 
as  their  eyes  were  not  yet  open.  On  May  31,  1901,  we  caught  one 
about  one-third  or  one-half  grown  on  south  shore  of  lake.  Sep- 
tember 5,  1906,  saw  two  young  not  more  than  half  grown.  On 
another  occasion,  a  young  one  was  seen  on  the  shore  near  the  Cul- 
ver depot  pier  and  was  almost  caught  before  it  took  alarm.  On 
another  occasion,  a  young  one  was  seen  to  dive  in  shallow  water 
south  of  Green's  pier.  Upon  wading  out  to  where  it  dived  a  hole 
was  seen  in  the  bottom  out  of  which  the  Muskrat  soon  came  and 
was  captured.  From  these  data  it  is  evident  that  at  least  two 
litters  per  season  are  raised  in  this  vicinity. 

In  the  early  winter,  after  ice  has  formed  some  distance  out 
from  shore,  Muskrats  are  often  seen  swimming  under  the  ice. 
They  move  along  quite  rapidly,  and  present  a  peculiar  appearance, 
a  bubble  of  air  at  each  nostril  expanding  and  contracting  as  they 
breathe,  and  a  number  of  small  bubbles  on  the  fur  giving  them 
a  silvery  color.  Apparently  the  Muskrat  before  diving  fills  its 
lungs  with  air,  portions  of  which  it  exhales  and  rebreathes  again. 
During  the  time  the  air  remains  as  a  bubble  at  each  nostril  it  is 
purified  through  its  contact  with  the  water  and  rendered  fit  for 
breathing  again.  This  peculiar  habit  would  seem  to  account  for  the 
ability  of  the  Muskrat  to  remain  under  water  so  long.  On  one  occa- 
sion (in  December,  1904)  when  standing  on  the  ice  a  peculiar  sound 
was  heard  beneath  our  feet.  Upon  investigation  it  was  found  to 
be  caused  by  a  Muskrat  gnawing  at  the  under  side  of  the  ice. 
The  sound  was  like  that  made  by  a  rat  gnawing  under  a  floor. 

At  times  the  Muskrats  make  various  noises.  September  5, 
1906,  two  half-grown  young  were  observed  chasing  each  other  and 
singing  a  long,  shivering  note,  followed  by  mewings  and  squeak- 
in  gs  and  other  noises  or  calls.  The  shivering,  singing  noise  was 
heard  on  other  occasions. 

The  Muskrat  is  the  most  valuable  fur-bearing  animal  in  the 
Maxinkuckee  region ;  indeed,  it  is  the  most  valuable  in  the  State. 
Considerable  numbers  are  trapped  each  year  about  the  lake,  the 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         467 

best  gi'ounds  being  Norris  Inlet  and  Lost  Lake  together  with  the 
Outlet.  We  have  been  unable  to  obtain  complete  figures  of  the 
catch,  but  have  enough  to  show  that  it  is  important.  In  the  winter 
of  1896-1897  one  trapper  secured  between  60  and  70  skins.  One 
who  trapped  only  at  Norris  Inlet  in  the  fall  of  1900  had  secured 
30  pelts  by  November  9,  and  another  at  Lost  Lake  had  50  by  the 
same  date.  Up  to  November  first,  1903,  two  men  trapping  chiefly 
at  Norris  Inlet  had  secured  103  pelts.  They  got  28  one  night. 
Their  entire  catch  for  the  winter  was  264  Muskrats.  4  mink  and 
3  opossums.  The  muskrat  pelts  brought  them  10  to  15  cents  each. 
The  prices  now  are  much  higher,  ranging  from  $1.50  to  $3.50. 
Black  pelts,  which  constitute  a  small  proportion  of  the  catch,  bring 
much  higher  prices. 

It  has  long  been  suspected  that  the  Muskrat  is  the  intermediate 
host  of  certain  parasites  which  are  concerned  in  the  production  of 
pearls  in  the  Unionidje  or  freshwater  mussels.  The  Muskrat 
stomachs  and  intestines  examined  by  us  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  did 
not  enable  us  to  demonstrate  the  truth  of  this  theory.  One  stom- 
ach examined  contained  no  parasites  of  any  kind.  Another  exam- 
ined at  Washington,  D.  C,  contained  a  few  parasites  but  none  that 
could  be  identified  with  the  distomid  which  induces  pearl-forma- 
tion. A  species  of  parasite.  Monostoma  affine  Leidy,  closely  re- 
lated to  the  distomids  was  described  from  the  gall-bladder  of  the 
Muskrat.  It  is  the  intention  to  examine  a  considerable  number  of 
stomachs  at  the  first  opportunity  with  a  view  to  determining  the 
facts  in  this  matter. 

20.    JUMPING  MOUSE 

ZAPUS   HUDSONIUS    (Zimmcrmann) 

This  is  another  northern  animal  whose  range  southward 
reaches  northern  Indiana.  It  is  freciuently  reported  from  this  part 
of  the  state,  particularly  from  the  vicinity  of  Yellow  River.  It 
is  also  said  to  be  seen  occasionally  about  Rochester  a  few  miles 
southeast  of  the  lake.  Our  only  definite  records  for  the  lake  are  a 
weather-worn  skull  found  on  Long  Point  in  1906,  and  one  found 
dead  near  the  ice  houses  on  the  west  side  of  the  lake  August  26, 
1906.  This  example  gave  the  following  measurements:  length 
of  body,  80  mm.;  tail  108  mm.;  ear  5  mm.;  hind  foot  28  mm. 

21.    PORCUPINE 

ERETHIZON  DORSATHM    (Linniniis) 

According  to  accounts  given  by  old  settlers  in  Indiana,  the 
Porcupine  was  at  one  time  not  rare  throughout  the  northern  part 


468         Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

of  the  State.  It  was  not  uncommon  for  the  inquisitive  cow  or  the 
dog  to  come  home  with  its  nose  full  of  spines  of  the  Porcupine.  It 
was  the  custom  to  hold  the  afflicted  animal  and  pull  out  the  spines 
with  pincers,  as  they  stuck  very  tightly,  while  the  suffering  crea- 
ture announced  to  the  neighborhood  the  discovery  it  had  made  that 
day.  Troubles  like  this  caused  the  settlers  to  wage  a  war  of  ex- 
termination on  the  Porcupine,  with  the  result  that  it  is  now  rarely 
or  never  seen.  We  have  only  one  record  of  its  recent  occurrence  in 
this  vicinity.  According  to  Mr.  S.  S.  Chadwick  one  was  killed  a 
short  distance  west  of  Culver  in  the  fall  of  1887. 

22.    GROUNDHOG 

MARMOTA  MONAX   (Linnaeus) 

The  Woodchuck,  Marmot  or  Groundhog  as  it  is  usually  called 
,in  Indiana,  is  fairly  common  in  most  parts  of  the  State.  It  most 
delights  in  the  more  hilly  districts  covered  with  open  forests  or 
grassy  meadows,  particularly  those  near  fields  of  red  clover.  It  is 
not  rare  about  Maxinkuckee.  One  or  more  pairs  can  usually  be 
found  on  the  hillsides  about  Lost  Lake,  others  in  or  at  the  edges 
of  the  fields  along  the  Outlet,  several  north  and  east  of  the  lake, 
and  a  few  in  most  other  suitable  situations.  In  1900  one  had  its 
home  in  a  burrow  under  one  of  the  buildings  on  Long  Point.  In 
the  fall  of  1904  some  burrows  were  observed  in  the  middle  of  a 
level  field,  the  holes  going  vertically  downward  several  feet.  This 
is  rather  unusual,  as  the  Groundhog  almost  invariably  selects  a 
hillside  or  bank  in  which  to  dig  its  burrow. 

In  May  and  early  June,  1901,  five  were  shot  in  Green's  field 
near  the  Gravelpit,  two  of  which  were  old  females,  and  three  were 
young.*  About  the  last  of  June,  1901,  a  half-grown  young  was 
caught  near  Lost  Lake.  When  pursued  it  ran  until  overtaken, 
when  it  turned  and  showed  fight.  August  25,  1906,  several  were 
noted  in  fields  near  the  railroad  south  of  the  lake.  They  sat  up 
erect  and  watched  us  go  by.  September  13,  1906,  one  was  killed 
near  Lost  Lake.  September  22,  1907,  several  burrows,  evidently 
of  this  animal,  were  seen  along  fences  between  the  lake  and  the 
tamarack  swamp,  and  on  September  25,  one  was  seen  near  the 
Gravelpit.  On  September  15,  1913,  we  saw  one  that  had  just 
been  killed  near  the  lake,  and  on  October  7  one  was  seen  south  of 
the  Gravelpit.  It  is  said  to  occur  in  the  high  ground  back  from 
the  Kankakee  River. 

In  the  early  spring,  soon  after  the  first  warm  days  have  come 
and  the  only  remaining  reminders  of  the  passing  winter  are  a  few 
snow  banks  in  protected  places  or  occasional  little  flurries  of  snow, 


Lake  Maxmkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         469 

and  when  the  first  green  blades  of  grass  are  just  peeping  through 
the  matted  dead  grass  of  the  previous  year  on  warm  hillsides  and 
along  fence-rows,  the  fii'st  Groundhog  of  the  season  is  apt  to  be 
seen.  He  will  most  likely  be  found  out  in  the  open  in  some  old 
meadow,  preferably  a  clover-field,  and  near  his  den.  Here  he  ap- 
pears early  in  the  afternoon  when  the  sun  shines  warm  on  the  hill- 
side. He  comes  out  not  only  to  feed  upon  the  young  and  tender 
stems  and  leaves  of  the  clover  and  other  early  spring  plants,  but 
he  also  delights  to  lie  in  the  warm  sunshine  or  to  sit  upright  near 
his  burrow  looking  about  over  the  fields  and  renewing  his  ac- 
quaintance with  the  scenes  which  have  remained  only  as  a  memory 
since  he  went  into  winter-quarters  the  previous  fall.  Later  in  the 
spring  and  in  summer  and  fall,  if  you  should  be  abroad  in  the 
early  morning  when  the  sun  is  just  showing  and  the  dew  still 
hangs  heavy  and  sparkling  on  the  tender  new  grass,  you  will  al- 
most certainly  be  rewarded  by  seeing  one  or  more  Woodchucks  in 
any  cloverfield  you  chance  to  pass.  Then  they  come  out  for  their 
morning  repast  of  red  clover  stems  and  leaves,  and  the  tender 
shoots  of  windflower  and  cinnamon  fern.  At  this  time  they  will 
be  quite  busy.  When  done  feeding  they  will  return  to  their  bur- 
rows where  they  probably  sleep  until  one  or  two  o'clock  when  they 
reappear,  not  so  much  for  feeding  as  to  bask  in  the  warm  sun  or  to 
look  about  over  the  country.  Again  late  in  the  evening,  between 
sundown  and  dusk,  they  come  out  again  to  feed.  Then  they 
usually  remain  out  until  nearly  dark  when  they  are  apt  to  retire 
to  their  burrows.  They  are,  however,  to  some  extent  nocturnal 
and  may  remain  abroad  well  into  the  night. 

The  Groundhog  is  a  pretty  strict  vegetarian,  his  food  consisting 
chiefly  of  red  clover  and  the  tender  stems  of  grasses  and  other 
plants.  He  will  sometimes  do  damage  to  the  young  corn  plants  and 
will  on  occasion,  feed  upon  the  leaves  of  pumpkin,  squash  and  bean 
vines.  They  will  sometimes  visit  the  kitchen  garden  and  do  more 
or  less  damage  to  the  cabbage  heads  and  celery.  They  have  also 
been  known  to  visit  apple  orchards  near  their  burrows  and  feed 
upon  such  fruit  as  they  could  find  on  the  ground.  The  only  real 
damage  they  do  that  is  serious  is  that  done  to  the  clover-field ;  all 
the  rest  is  only  occasional  and  may  be  regarded  as  negligible,  ex- 
cept perhaps  the  inconvenience  caused  by  the  holes  they  make  in 
the  meadows  and  fields. 

Dr.  Merriam  has  observed  that  in  the  fall  the  Woodchucks  tend 
to  leave  the  burrows  in  the  open  fields  and  go  to  those  in  the  woods 
in  which  they  spend  the  period  of  hibernation,  and  our  observations 
lead  us  to  the  same  conclusion.     Certain  burrows  in  Walley's  and 


470         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

other  woods  which  appeared  to  be  deserted  during  the  summer 
showed  evidences  of  being  used  early  in  the  fall  and  those  in  the 
fields  had  the  appearance  of  having  been  abandoned  in  September 
or  early  October. 

On  May  3,  one  was  observed  sitting  at  the  mouth  of  his  bur- 
row, which  was  under  a  large  stump.  One  of  us  slipped  up  from 
the  opposite  side,  and,  looking  over  the  stump,  watched  him  for 
some  time  at  very  close  range.  He  was  very  quiet  and  seemed  to 
be  looking  out  across  the  field.  When  a  small  object  was  dropped 
upon  his  nose  he  quickly  turned  his  head  sidewise  and  looked  up 
with  an  expression  of  curiosity,  if  not  astonishment,  on  his  face. 
Not  until  the  observer  moved  did  he  become  frightened,  when  he 
quickly  disappeared  in  the  burrow. 

The  Woodchuck  produces  three  to  six  young  in  a  litter,  usually 
about  the  last  of  April.  We  have  some  evidence  indicating  that 
two  litters  may  be  produced  in  one  season.  On  September  10  a 
young  Woodchuck  not  more  than  one-third  grown  was  seen  on  an 
open  hillside  where  it  was  feeding  on  fresh  grass.  When  chased  it 
ran  quite  swiftly.  When  overtaken  it  would  change  its  course 
from  time  to  time.  Finally  when  tired  out  it  crouched  down  in 
the  grass,  apparently  attempting  to  hide  from  its  pursuers.  l,ts 
small  size  suggested  that  it  was  born  not  earlier  than  the  middle 
of  July  or  later. 

The  Groundhog  as  yet  possesses  little  or  no  economic  value.  Its 
pelage  is  coarse  and  contains  little  fur.  The  hide  is  tough  and 
ought  to  make  a  good  quality  of  leather.  The  flesh  is  abundant 
in  quantity,  sweet,  palatable  and  very  nutritious;  it  ought  to  be 
more  extensively  utilized  as  an  article  of  food. 

23.    STRIPED  GOPHER 

CITELLUS  TRIDECEMLINEATUS   (Mitchill) 

This  gopher  is  an  intrusion  from  the  prairie  fauna  to  the  west- 
ward of  Maxinkuckee.  It  appears  to  be  gradually  extending  its 
range  eastward.  Thirty  years  ago  it  was  very  rare  or  entirely 
unknown  in  Indiana  except  in  the  prairie  counties  along  the  west- 
ern border  of  the  State.  During  1883-1885  the  senior  writer  of  this 
report  had  exceptional  opportunities  to  become  quite  familiar  with 
all  parts  of  Carroll  County,  which  lies  some  50  to  80  miles  south 
and  a  few  miles  west  of  Maxinkuckee,  and  in  those  years  he  saw 
a  total  of  only  three  or  four  pairs  of  Striped  Gophers  within  its 
borders  and  they  were  al'  in  the  extreme  western  part  of  the  county 
where  the  land  is  largely  prairie.  During  many  years  of  almost 
continuous  residence  in  that  county    (1858  to  1885)    the  species 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         471 

was  never  seen  east  of  the  Wabash  River,  but  recently  it  is  said 
to  have  appeared  there.  In  Vigo  County  it  was  common  from 
1886  to  1891  and  has  so  increased  in  abundance  since  then  as  to 
have  become  a  serious  pest. 

In  1899  when  our  field  work  began  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  the 
Striped  Gopher  was  rare  in  that  region ;  in  fact,  only  one  or  two 
pairs  were  seen  during  that  season.  They  had  their  home  at  the 
Gravelpit  and  were  observed  most  frequently  in  August.  In  1900 
they  were  more  numerous.  Besides  the  colony  at  the  Gravelpit. 
one  or  more  were  seen  occasionally  further  south  along  the  rail- 
road, several  about  the  sandy  hills  southeast  of  the  lake,  and  now 
and  then  one  was  noted  on  Long  Point.  In  1904  they  had  still  fur- 
ther increased.  On  July  3  one  was  found  dead  on  the  railroad  near 
Murray's  where  it  had  evidently  been  killed  by  a  passing  train,  and 
several  others  were  seen  at  the  Gravelpit.  One  or  more  were 
seen  on  Long  Point,  and  in  the  autumn  of  1906  several  were  ob- 
served there.  In  1907,  soon  after  corn-planting,  these  little  ro- 
dents were  found  to  have  increased  greatly  in  numbers  about  the 
Gravelpit.  They  became  very  destructive  to  the  young  corn  in  a 
field  nearby.  They  would  pull  up  and  eat  the  young  plants.  One 
individual  was  seen  to  pull  up  20  stalks.  The  owner  of  the  field 
shot  20  of  them  in  May  and  early  June.  Many  of  them  were  old 
ones  while  others  were  small  and  apparently  young  of  the  year. 
The  gophers  of  this  color^y  had  their  holes  or  burrows  in  and  about 
the  Gravelpit.  The  colonies  on  the  sandy  farms  south  and  south- 
east of  the  lake  had  also  increased  considerably  in  numbers,  as  had 
also  that  on  Long  Point.  One  was  caught  by  a  cat  on  Long  Point 
in  June  of  that  year.  In  1910  it  was  learned  that  they  were  be- 
coming more  and  more  abundant  every  year.  Several  were  seen 
on  Long  Point.  Observations  made  in  the  fall  of  1913  indicate 
that  they  are  still  increasing.  On  September  17,  one  was  seen  at 
the  Gravelpit,  and  one  or  more  were  noted  near  Murray's  on  Oc- 
tober 4  and  6.  On  the  farms  south,  southwest  and  southeast  of 
the  lake  they  are  getting  to  be  a  pest.  They  are  probably  now 
found  west,  north  and  east  of  the  lake  in  suitable  situations,  but 
we  have  not  observed  them  there,  as  our  field  work  has  not  re- 
cently extended  into  those  regions. 

The  Striped  Gopher  feeds  upon  young  corn,  wheat,  oats,  grass 
and  other  tender  plants,  also  upon  grain  and  other  seeds  of  vari- 
ous kinds.  It  is  very  prolific  and,  once  it  has  secured  a  foothold  in 
any  locality,  it  is  quite  certain  to  become  a  serious  pest  sooner  or 
later  unless  drastic  measures  are  taken  to  hold  its  numbers  in 
check. 


472         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

24.     GROUND  SQUIRREL 

TAMIAS   STRIATUS    (Linnseus) 

The  Ground  Squirrel  or  Chipmunk  is  an  interesting  and  famil- 
iar little  animal  in  all  suitable  situations  in  Indiana.  Every  farm- 
er's boy  in  the  State  knows  it  well.  Wherever  there  are  open  woods 
or  pastures  and  old  decaying  trees,  rocky  ledges  overgrown  with 
vines,  fallen  timber  and  brush  piles,  and  Virginia  rail  fences  that 
have  not  been  well  kept,  there  the  Chipmunk  is  quite  sure  to  be 
found.  Though  still  abundant  in  most  parts  of  Indiana  they  are 
less  so  than  formerly.  At  one  time  they  were  so  numerous  as  to 
be  regarded  as  a  serious  pest  and  bounties  were  paid  for  their 
scalps. 

About  Maxinkuckee  they  are  still  rather  common  and  may  be 
seen  almost  anywhere  about  the  lake  and  on  adjoining  farms. 
Nearly  all  portions  of  the  lake  shore  are  favorable.  Wherever 
there  are  old  trees  on  the  north,  east  and  south  sides,  there  you 
may  find  Chipmunk  families.  The  old  oaks  at  the  southwest  corner 
of  the  lake  and  those  on  Long  Point  have  never,  since  our  ac- 
quaintance with  the  lake,  been  without  their  Ground  Squirrels. 
The  open  woods  between  the  two  lakes  and  Walley's  woods  are  also 
favorite  situations.  A  visit  to  any  of  these  regions  would  almost 
certainly  be  rewarded  by  a  glimpse  of  a  pair  or  more  of  thesp 
merry  creatures. 

On  Long  Point  several  pairs  usually  have  their  homes,  and  from 
May  or  June  until  late  in  October  they  may  be  seen  chasing  each 
other  along  the  fences  or  sitting  at  the  root  of  some  hollow  old  oak 
where  they  often  remain  chirping  hours  at  a  time.  During  the 
winter  of  1900-1901,  one  had  its  home  under  the  cottage  in  which 
we  lived.  During  the  fall  it  was  seen  daily  gathering  nuts,  seeds, 
and  grain  which  it  stored  for  winter  use.  On  bright  sunny  days  it 
worked  persistently  from  early  morning  until  evening,  usually 
stopping  in  the  middle  of  the  forenoon  and  again  about  two  o'clock 
in  the  afternoon  to  sit  on  the  south  steps  of  the  cottage  or  at  the 
root  of  a  gnarled  old  oak  near  by,  where  it  would  keep  up  an  almost 
incessant  chirping  for  an  hour  or  more.  Toward  evening  it  gener- 
ally disappeared,  not  to  be  seen  again  until  7  or  8  o'clock  next 
morning.  On  dark  and  gloomy  days  it  sometimes  failed  to  ap- 
pear. On  November  27  it  went  into  winter  quarters  and  was  not 
seen  again  until  the  twentieth  of  March  following  when  it  was  seen 
scurrying  about  as  lively  as  ever.  From  that  date  on  it  and  others 
were  noted  occasionally  on  bright  sunny  days  until  warm  weather, 
when  they  might  be  seen  every  day,  usually  near  the  edge  of  their 


Lake  Maxinlaickee,  Physical  and  Biolofjical  Survey         473 

burrows  or  other  safe  refuge  into  which  they  would  scamper,  on 
the  shghtest  alarm,  with  a  rapid  succession  of  sharp  chipping 
noises.  During  the  summer  and  early  fall  they  are  ever  in  evi- 
dence and  are  not  easily  frightened.  As  fall  comes  on  and  seeds 
and  nuts  mature,  these  interesting  little  animals  become  more  ac- 
tive and  very  busy  laying  up  their  winter  stores,  stopping  now  and 
then  to  bask  in  the  sun,  their  crammed  cheek-pouches  giving  them 
a  comical,  mump-like  appearance.  At  this  time  of  the  year  they 
have  a  call  or  note  quite  different  from  the  sharp  chipping  noise 
usually  heard  in  the  summer,  it  being  a  succession  of  hollow  cluck- 
ing sounds,  most  interesting  when  heard  at  some  distance  through 
the  autumn  woods.  A  little  later,  toward  the  last  of  October,  when 
frosts  are  frequent  and  the  days  are  chill,  they  may  be  seen  only 
on  those  days  that  are  bright  and  sunny,  usually  sitting  in  the  sun 
on  the  root  of  some  old  hollow  tree,  chipping  merrily.  Still  later, 
as  cold  days  become  the  rule,  only  the  brightest  days  tempt  them 
out;  then  they  sit  quietly  where  the  sun  shines  warmest,  chipping 
not  at  all  or  only  now  and  then  very  mildly. 

Following  are  some  of  our  notebook  records: 

1899. — October  3,  still  out  and  busy  gathering  food.  1900. — 
October  18  and  19,  noisy  about  and  under  our  cottage ;  October  22, 
noted ;  24th,  one  seen  going  under  cottage ;  25th,  the  one  belonging 
to  our  cottage  was' quite  noisy  for  a  while;  26th,  27th  and  30th,  still 
out  and  noisy;  November  3,  5,  and  6,  seen;  27th,  seen  for  last  time. 
1901. — March  20,  the  one  under  our  cottage  came  out  today  and 
scurried  about  as  lively  as  ever.  October  19-21,  very  common  on 
Long  Point;  at  least  20  between  our  cottage  and  the  end  of  Long 
Point,  all  very  busy  garnering  their  winter  stores,  but  mixing  a 
good  deal  of  play  with  their  work.  1902. — June  19,  two  seen  on 
Long  Point;  22d,  one  at  tip  of  Point  and  several  elsewhere.  1904. 
—October  18,  several  seen ;  19th,  on  early  morning  trip  around  the 
lake  saw  only  one;  October  20  and  21,  one  or  more  were  seen  on 
Long  Point;  November  5,  one  seen.  1906. — September  17,  several 
seen  on  east  side,  all  chipping  merrily ;  25th,  caught  one  in  trap  on 
Long  Point;  30th,  a  very  bright  colored  one  seen.  1907. — Septem- 
ber 26,  one  heard  and  another  seen  on  east  side;  29th,  one  heard  at 
Walley's  birch  swamp;  October  4,  one  seen  on  Long  Point  filling 
its  pouches  with  rag-weed  seeds  which  it  skillfully  gleaned  from 
the  standing  weeds;  10th,  one  seen  on  Arlington  coal  bin,  and 
another  with  very  full  pouches  basking  on  a  rock  near  the  Duen- 
weg  cottage.  Loud  gunshots  fired  at  coots  near  by  did  not  frighten 
it;  14th,  one  heard  clucking  near  the  birch  swamp. 

In  some  sections  of  its  habitat  the  Chipmunk  is  said  to  be  mi- 


474         Lake  Maxinknckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

gratory,  but  our  observations  lead  us  to  believe  it  to  be  non-migra- 
tory in  Indiana. 

The  Chipmunk  feeds  chiefly  upon  nuts  and  seeds  of  various 
kinds.  In  regions  where  beech  trees  are  found  their  delicious  nuts 
constitute  its  principal  food.  Hickory  nuts,  particularly  the  thin- 
ner shelled  species,  hazelnuts,  acorns  and  corn  are  also  highly 
prized.  In  the  spring  they  may  do  some  damage  to  the  corn  fields 
by  digging  up  the  newly  planted  grains ;  but  this  is  infrequent  and 
apt  to  occur  only  when  the  field  borders  on  open  woods.  As  al- 
ready recorded,  on  October  4,  we  observed  a  Chipmunk  going  from 
one  ragweed  to  another,  stripping  ofi"  the  seeds  and  cramming  his 
pouches  with  them;  from  which  it  appears  that  they  are  of  some 
value  as  weed-seed  destroyers. 

On  the  whole,  the  Chipmunk  is  a  harmless  and  very  cheery  little 
creature  which,  in  moderate  numbers,  does  little  or  no  harm  and 
adds  much  to  the  attractiveness  of  any  region. 

25.     RED  SQUIRREL 

SCIURUS  HUDSONICUS   LOQUAX    Bangs 

The  Red  Squirrel,  Pine  Squirrel,  Chickaree  or  Boomer,  as  it  is 
variously  called,  is  a  northern  species  which  is  gradually  extending 
its  range  southward  in  Indiana.  Until  within  the  last  decade  it 
was  rare  or  wholly  unknown  in  most  parts  of  the  state  south  of 
Logansport,  though  it  was  not  uncommon  in  the  more  northern 
counties.  On  December  24,  1889,  one  was  shot  near  Kewanna 
which  is  about  12  miles  south  of  Maxinkuckee.  It  was  regarded 
as  a  rarity  in  that  region.  About  1900  one  was  seen  near  Frank- 
fort, about  70  miles  south  of  Maxinkuckee,  the  first  ever  noted  in 
that  county.  We  have  learned  from  Mr.  Sidney  T.  Sterling  of 
Camden,  Carroll  County,  that  it  has  recently  appeared  in  that 
county. 

When  we  began  our  investigations  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  the 
Red  Squirrel  was  not  common.  In  1899  only  one  was  seen,  in  Sep- 
tember, near  old  Lake  Manitou.  On  September  24,  1900,  a  young 
one,  just  able  to  crawl  about,  was  found  on  the  ground  in  Farrar's 
woods.  It  had  probably  fallen  from  the  nest.  It  was  taken  home 
and  fed  and  soon  became  quite  tame.  It  was  not  caged  but  was 
permitted  to  run  about  the  room,  and  soon  became  quite  playful 
and  mischievous.  One  of  its  favorite  positions  was  a  seat  on  one's 
shoulder  where  it  soon  called  attention  to  itself  by  a  gentle  nipping 
of  the  ear  of  the  person  on  whose  shoulder  it  was  sitting.  One  or 
more  were  seen  October  1,  14,  19,  and  30.     In  1904,  they  were 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         475 

quite  numerous ;  several  were  noted  October  19  and  27  and  at  vari- 
ous times  thereafter  until  January  3,  1905,  when  we  left  the  lake, 
until  August,  1906,  from  which  month  until  November  14,  many 
were  seen. 

On  September  13,  1907,  and  at  various  times  thereafter  until 
the  middle  of  November,  one  or  more  were  seen  on  any  day  when 
we  cared  to  look  for  them.  One  was  seen  September  27,  1908,  On 
September  8,  1913,  one  was  observed  for  some  time  on  the  grounds 
of  the  Chadwick  Hotel,  and  again  on  the  17th.  One  seen  in  Wal- 
ley's  woods  October  7,  1913,  and  on  September  30,  two  were  shot 
in  the  same  woods;  one  (a  male)  weighed  7  ounces,  the  other  (a 
female)  6]  ounces.  According  to  Mr.  S.  S.  Chadwick  they  have 
continued  to  increase  up  to  the  present  time.  Their  favorite 
haunts  about  Lake  Maxinkuckee  are  the  heavier  woodlands  at  the 
south  end  of  the  lake,  Walley's  woods,  the  timbered  areas  on  the 
east  side  and  the  groves  north  and  east  of  the  Academy  grounds. 
Only  rarely  have  we  seen  it  on  Long  Point,  while  on  several  occa- 
sions we  have  observed  it  on  the  Tippecanoe  River  near  Belong. 

While  the  Red  Squirrel  is  a  merry  playful  little  animal,  there 
is  little  else  to  commend  it  to  one's  favor.  While  its  principal  food 
consists  of  nuts  and  seeds  of  various  kinds,  it  is  very  destructive 
to  birds'  eggs  and  even  young  birds.  It  is  also  popularly  thought 
to  drive  the  fox  squirrel  out  of  regions  which  it  formerly  occupied, 
and  there  is  probably  a  basis  of  fact  in  this  belief.  On  account  of 
its  small  size  it  is  not  much  hunted  for  food,  although  it  makes  a 
delicious  stew. 

26.     GRAY  SQUIRREL 

SCIURUS   CAROLINENSIS   LEUCOTIS    (Gappcr) 

Formerly  the  Gray  Squirrel  was  very  abundant  throughout  In- 
diana and  southern  Michigan.  Forty  to  fifty  years  ago  squirrel 
hunting  was  an  avocation  in  which  nearly  everj^  farmer  and  farm- 
er's son,  as  well  as  many  of  those  who  dwelt  in  the  villages  and 
towns  engaged,  and  a  poor  marksman  indeed  was  he  who  did  not 
return  from  a  morning  in  the  woods  with  the  old  muzzle-loader  and 
anywhere  from  6  to  20  squirrels.  To  be  regarded  as  a  real  expert 
shot,  however,  it  was  necessary  to  be  able  to  "bark"  the  squirrel, 
that  is,  to  kill  it  simply  by  shooting  through  the  bark  of  the  limb 
on  which  the  squirrel  happened  to  be  sitting  without  actually  hit- 
ting the  squirrel.  There  were  in  every  community  a  number  of 
such  expert  squirrel  hunters.  In  southern  Michigan  a  large  pro- 
portion of  the  Gray  Squirrels  were  black!  while  in  middle  Indiana 
a  black  squirrel  was  not  often  seen.     In  the  ]\Iaxinkuckee  region 


476         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

this  squirrel  is  now  a  very  rare  species.  Mr.  Chadwick  says  he 
knows  of  only  two  or  three  having  been  killed  near  the  lake  in  the 
last  six  or  seven  years.  The  only  one  ever  seen  by  us  in  that 
region  was  observed  May  9,  1901. 

27.     FOX  SQUIRREL 

SCIURUS  NIGER  RUFIVENTER    (Geoffroy) 

Although  formerly  quite  common  in  central  and  northern  In- 
diana, the  Fox  Squirrel  was  never  so  abundant  as  was  the  Gray 
Squirrel  when  the  country  was  new.  But  as  the  forests  were 
cleared  away,  farms  opened  up,  and  open  woodlands  and  pasture 
lots  became  more  and  more  common  features  of  the  country,  the 
Gray  Squirrel  became  practically  extinct  while  the  Fox  Squirrel 
was  more  nearly  able  to  hold  its  own,  albeit,  even  this  species  is 
far  from  being  as  abundcint  as  formerly.  In  the  region  with  which 
the  present  paper  deals  the  Fox  Squirrel  was  very  rare  until  re- 
cently. None  was  seen  or  heard  of  in  1899.  In  1900  one  was 
seen  in  Walley's  woods  on  September  28,  and  one  near  Belong  the 
next  day.  The  first  of  these  was  killed  by  some  one  in  October. 
Several  were  killed  by  a  local  hunter  in  the  fall  of  1902.  In  1904, 
Fox  Squirrels  were  occasionally  seen.  Two  were  killed  November 
29 ;  one  was  seen  in  the  Assembly  grounds ;  on  December  15  a 
large  oak  on  Long  Point  was  cut  down  and  was  found  to  contain 
two  Fox  Squirrels,  probably  young  of  the  year,  but  fully  grown. 
In  the  fall  of  1905  three  or  four  were  seen  on  Long  Point.     In 

1906  two  were  killed  south  of  the  lake  September  12 ;  two  days 
later  one  was  seen  in  Farrar's  woods,  and  on  September  17 
another  was  noted  on  the  east  side  of  the  lake.     In  the  autumn  of 

1907  one  or  more  were  observed  in  Green's  woods.  Doubtless  it 
is  no  less  frequent  in  open  woods  east  of  the  lake. 

The  Fox  Squirrel  prefers  the  open  woods  and  is  rarely  seen  in 
heavy,  dense  forests.  Wherever  there  are  large  old  trees  with 
hollow  limbs  or  trunks  on  the  borders  of  cornfields,  there  these 
squirrels  are  apt  to  take  up  their  homes  if  there  be  any  in  the 
neighborhood.  Unless  disturbed  the  same  pair  will  occupy  the 
same  tree  for  several  years,  probably  until  they  die  or  are  killed. 

These  squirrels  feed  upon  all  sorts  of  nuts  and  are  very  de- 
structive to  the  farmer's  corn.  In  January,  1908,  Mr.  A.  M.  Ever- 
mann  observed  Fox  Squirrels  near  Burlington  (56  miles  south  of 
Maxinkuckee)  feeding  upon  the  seeds  of  the  cocklebur,  Xanthiiun 
strumarium.  The  squirrels  would  strip  the  burs  from  the  plants 
and  carry  them  to  a  nearby  log  on  which  they  would  sit  on  their 


Lake  Maxinlmckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         417 

haunches  while  they  gnawed  the  burs  and  removed  the  seeds.     At 
the  time  the  ground  was  covered  with  snow. 

So  far  as  we  have  been  able  to  learn  this  habit  of  the  Fox 
Squirrel  had  not  been  previously  observed. 

28.     FLYING  SQUIRREL 

SCIUROPTERUS  VOLANS   (Linnaus) 

Wherever  there  are,  about  the  lake,  large  old  trees  with  hollow 
trunks  or  limbs,  one  or  more  pairs  of  Flying  Squirrels  are  likely  to 
be  found.  Striking  such  trees  with  an  axe  or  maul  will  often  in- 
duce the  squirrels  to  come  out,  especially  if  the  tree  is  of  proper  size 
and  springy  enough  to  vibrate  well  in  response  to  blows.  When 
striking  the  tree  is  stopped,  the  squirrels  usually  return  quickly  to 
their  nest.  By  such  devices  as  this,  one  is  apt  to  discover  that 
the  Flying  Squirrel  is  a  much  more  common  animal  in  the  neigh- 
borhood than  the  number  seen  otherwise  would  indicate.  On  ac- 
count of  its  quiet,  unobtrusive  ways  and  its  nocturnal  habits  it  is 
not  often  seen  except  by  those  who  know  its  ways. 

These  squirrels  usually  make  their  nests  in  holes  in  old  dead  or 
decaying  trees;  they  may  utilize  a  hollow  limb,  a  decayed  and  hol- 
lowed-out  portion  of  the  trunk  or  a  deserted  woodpecker  hole.  Late 
in  the  fall,  after  the  cottagers  have  left  the  lake  and  the  cottages 
have  been  closed  for  the  winter,  these  resourceful  little  animals 
sometimes  take  up  their  residence  in  the  loft,  cupboard  or  some 
suitable  box  in  the  cottages.  There  they  build  their  nests  and 
dwell  cosily  until  the  warm  days  of  returning  spring  tempt  them 
to  return  to  a  hole  in  some  scraggy  old  oak  near-by,  where  thoy  will 
spend  the  summer. 

Occasionally,  in  the  evening  twilight  or  on  moonlight  nights,  a 
Flying  Squirrel  may  be  seen  sailing  in  a  gentle  downward  curve 
from  one  tree  to  another,  the  start  being  made  from  well  toward 
the  top  of  one  tree  and  the  place  of  alighting  at  a  much  lower 
point  on  the  other.  There  is  something  ghost-like  in  this  gliding 
flight;  it  is  so  unlike  that  of  any  other  of  our  native  creatures; 
there  is  not  only  an  entire  absence  of  fluttering  wings,  but  perfect 
silence. 

While  in  their  nests  these  squirrels  do  more  or  less  squeaking. 
On  the  night  of  September  21,  1903,  one  or  more  were  heard  in 
trees  in  the  Arlington  hotel  grounds.  On  November  27,  1904,  the 
accidental  burning  of  two  cottages  on  Long  Point  ignited  some  of 
the  surrounding  trees,  one  of  which  contained  a  family  of  Flying 
Squirrels.    They  did  not  leave  their  nest  until  fatally  burned,  when 


478         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

they  leaped  to  the  ground.  On  August  19,  1906,  while  riding  along 
a  road  west  of  the  lake  a  squeaking  sound  attracted  attention  to 
the  base  of  a  small  scrub  oak  at  the  roadside.  On  examining  the 
place  four  young  Flying  Squirrels  were  discovered.  They  were 
quite  small  and  wholly  naked.  A  storm  had  probably  blown  them 
from  their  nest  which  was  a  lai'ge,  globular  affair,  made  of  fibrous 
material,  situated  in  a  crotch  of  the  tree.  While  we  were  only  a 
few  feet  away,  one  of  the  parent  squirrels,  presumably  the  mother, 
came  down  the  tree  and,  taking  the  young  in  her  mouth,  carried 
them,  one  at  a  time,  back  to  the  nest. 

On  April  16,  1890,  one  of  us  found  a  nest  containing  two  young 
Flying  Squirrels,  south  of  Terre  Haute.  The  nest  was  in  a  wood- 
pecker's hole  about  20  feet  from  the  ground  in  a  maple.  Upon 
striking  the  tree  the  mother  squirrel  came  out  of  the  hole  and  flew 
to  another  tree  near-by,  where  she  remained  watching.  Breaking 
the  snag  at  the  hole  the  two  young  were  removed  and  placed  on  the 
ground.  After  a  little  time  the  old  squirrel  flew  back  to  the  snag 
and  seemed  much  disturbed  by  the  changed  appearance  of  things. 
She  looked  all  about  and,  finally  discovering  the  young  on  the 
ground,  she  came  down,  and  taking  one  in  her  mouth,  carried  it 
to  the  top  of  the  snag  from  which  she  then  flew  with  the  young  in 
her  mouth  to  another  tree  about  30  feet  away.  She  ran  up  that 
tree  to  a  height  of  about  50  feet  w^here  she  found  a  knot-hole  in 
which  she  placed  the  little  one.  In  a  moment  she  reappeared  and 
flew  back  to  the  snag  for  the  other.  In  the  meantime  I  had  sta- 
tioned myself  near  the  young.  After  several  advances  and  re- 
treats she  finally  came  mid  seized  the  young  in  her  mouth  when 
I  caught  her  in  my  hand.  When  released  she  returned  to  the  knot- 
hole with  the  young  squirrel.  These  dates  (April  16  and  August 
19) ,  are  of  interest  in  showing  so  wide  a  range  in  the  breeding  sea- 
son of  the  Flying  Squirrel. 

On  December  16,  1890,  a  family  of  six  Flying  Squirrels  was 
found  by  Mr.  J.  M.  Beck  near  Burlington.  They  were  all  full- 
grown.  On  Thanksgiving  day,  several  years  ago.  Prof.  U.  O.  Cox, 
then  of  Farmland,  Indiana,  found  15  Flying  Squirrels  in  a  small 
rotten  stump  a  little  higher  than  a  man's  head. 

It  is  remarkable  the  number  of  Flying  Squirrels  that  can  be 
discovered  in  any  wood  by  knocking  on  the  old  dead  snags  or  trees, 
particularly  in  the  spring.  We  have  found  them  in  old  oaks, 
beeches,  maples,  ash,  willows,  sycamores  and  hickories,  as  well  as 
in  various  old  buildings.  They  seem  to  breed  chiefly  early  in  the 
spring,  about  sugar-making  time.  A  second  or  third  litter  may 
be  produced  later  in  the  season. 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         479 

Flying  Squirrels  make  very  interesting  pets.  Several  years  ago 
one  of  us  had  two  which  were  kept  as  pets  for  several  weeks.  They 
had  the  freedom  of  one  room  in  the  house.  During  the  day  they 
lay  curled  up  in  a  box  provided  and  made  comfortable  for  that 
purpose.  At  night,  particularly  before  midnight,  they  would  come 
out  to  play  about  the  room  and  to  accept  the  nuts  and  other  food 
offered  them.  One  night  a  drawer  containing  a  number  of  bird- 
skins  was  inadvertently  left  open.  One  of  the  squirrels  got  into 
it,  ate  one  of  the  skins  and  as  a  result  died  of  arsenic  poisoning. 

29.     BEAVER 

CASTOK   CANADENSIS   CAROLINENSIS   Rhoads 

The  Beaver  was  at  one  time  pretty  common  in  the  northern 
part  of  Indiana.  There  still  exist  vestiges  of  one  or  more  beaver- 
dams  in  the  Outlet  between  Lost  Lake  and  the  Tippecanoe  River. 

30.    RABBIT 

SYLVILAGUS    FLORIDANUS   MEARNSII    (Allen) 

The  Rabbit  or  Cottontail  is  an  abundant  and  well  known  ani- 
mal of  the  Maxinkuckee  region.  The  large  areas  of  uncultivated 
swamp-land,  abounding  in  tall  grasses,  sedges  and  small  brushy 
shrubs,  the  tamarack  and  other  swamps,  and  the  considerable 
tracts  of  timber,  often  with  heavy  undergrowth,  give  a  wide  choice 
of  location  and  refuge.  In  all  these,  Rabbits  are  usually  quite 
abundant.  Although  apt  to  be  found  almost  anywhere,  there  are 
choice  places  where  they  are  particularly  common.  Among  these 
are  the  thickets,  fields,  and  Farrar's  woods  at  the  south  end  of  the 
lake ;  the  shores  of  Lost  Lake  and  the  woods  and  fields  from  Green's 
to  Walley's  and  beyond:  the  fields,  swamps  and  prairie  westward 
to  Manitou  and  Houghton  lakes,  including  the  tamarack  swamp; 
and  the  low  ground  along  Aubeenaubee  Creek  on  the  east  side. 

The  following  records  made  by  us  serve  to  indicate  to  some 
extent  the  abundance  of  Rabbits  in  this  region.  They  are  by  no 
means  complete,  but  simply  show  the  observations  of  one  or  two 
persons  for  portions  of  each  of  several  years.  During  the  fall  of 
1899  up  to  January  21,  one  man  who  hunted  only  occasionally  and 
only  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  lake,  killed  76  Rabbits,  In 
the  fall  of  1900  one  hunter  had  killed  56  by  December  31.  In  1901 
they  were  said  to  be  plentiful  in  February  and  on  December  10, 
one  hunter  shot  19.  On  January  2,  1903,  hunters  obtained  21  in 
the  vicinity  of  Mud  Lake  near  the  head  of  Aubeenaubee  Creek; 
December  14,  four  hunters  got  20  and  on  December  30,  one  got  8. 
In  1904,  7  were  killed  December  8,  24  on  December  13,  and  2  on 

31—17618 


480         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

December  22.  In  1905  two  were  gotten  November  27.  In  1906, 
two  on  January  22,  one  seen  July  21  and  29,  and  October  9,  sev- 
eral on  the  east  side  on  October  31,  2  on  November  13,  one  on  the 
14th  and  4  gotten  on  the  20th.  In  1907,  a  half-grown  young  one 
was  seen  September  11  and  another  September  20;  another  not 
more  than  one-third  grown  was  seen  September  22.  On  November 
17,  1909,  two  gotten  with  ferrets  under  the  Farrar  cottage,  were 
sent  to  the  U.  S.  National  Museum.  In  the  fall  of  1913,  they  did 
not  seem  to  be  very  common.  On  September  17  a  half-grown 
young  one  was  seen  on  Long  Point,  and  again  on  October  4. 

In  this  region  the  Rabbit  is  hunted  rather  persistently  every 
fall  and  winter  from  October  to  February  and  the  total  number 
killed  is  great;  nevertheless  the  animals  are  so  prolific  that  the 
supply  usually  keeps  up  pretty  well.  During  some  years  it  is  less 
abundant.  The  season  of  1908-9  was  a  period  of  scarcity.  Gen- 
erally these  periods  last  only  for  a  single  season,  and  the  next  sea- 
son is  one  of  usual  abundance.  They  are  in  best  condition  in  No- 
vember to  January  and  these  are  the  principal  months  when  they 
ai-e  hunted.  Unfortunately  a  few  local  pothunters  have  been  using 
ferrets,  a  method  which  affords  no  sport,  is  entirely  unsportsman- 
like, gives  the  Rabbit  no  chance,  and  which  cannot  be  too  severely 
condemned. 

In  this  region  the  Rabbit  breeds  at  least  twice  each  season. 
The  first  litter  is  produced  early  in  the  spring,  usually  in  May,  and 
the  young  are  half  or  two-thirds  grown  by  the  first  or  middle  of 
July.  The  second  litter  is  probably  produced  in  July  or  even  as 
late  as  September,  as  we  have  seen  half-grown  and  one-third- 
grown  young  September  11  and  22.  Heavy  rains  in  the  spring 
frequently  flood  the  breeding  grounds,  with  the  result  that  many 
of  the  first  litters  are  drowned.  This  was  particularly  the  case  in 
1902  when  there  were  unusually  heavy  rains  in  May  and  June, 
flooding  all  the  lowlands.  That  many  young  Rabbits  were  drowned 
is  evidenced  by  their  scarcity  in  the  fall  and  winter  following. 

Here,  as  elsewhere,  the  Rabbit  causes  some  damage  to  young 
fruit  trees  by  gnawing  the  bark.  The  damage  is  greatest  during 
the  winters  of  heavy  and  long-continued  snows  which  cover  up 
other  vegetation  on  which  they  would  feed.  The  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee region,  however,  is  not  much  given  to  orchards  or  horticul- 
ture and  the  injury  wrought  by  Rabbits  is  therefore  not  serious. 

The  Rabbit  as  an  article  of  food  is  becoming  more  highly  ap- 
preciated in  recent  years  and  there  is  also  an  increasing  market  for 
its  fur.  With  proper  laws  providing  adequate  protection  a  large 
and  valuable  catch  can  be  made  every  year. 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         481 

THE   BIRDS 

Introduction 

The  scope  of  the  investigation  as  originally  planned  included 
as  careful  study  of  the  vertebrate  animals  of  the  lake  as  time 
and  facilities  at  command  would  permit.  It  soon  became  evi- 
dent, however,  that  no  very  satisfactory  progress  could  be  made 
with  those  groups  without  consideration  of  the  plants  and  of  the 
various  groups  of  invertebrate  animals  of  the  lake.  It  also  became 
more  and  more  apparent  as  the  work  progressed  that  no  hard  and 
fast  line  could  be  drawn  between  the  species  directly  related  to  the 
lake  and  those  only  indirectly  so  related,  or  those  thought  to  bear 
no  relation. 

Many  illustrations  could  be  given  of  the  ways  in  which  various 
species  of  purely  land  animals  and  plants  are  related  ecologically 
to  purely  aquatic  species  inhabiting  the  lake.  Mention  will  here 
be  made  only  of  the  birds. 

The  larvre  of  certain  dipterous  insects  of  the  genus  Chirono- 
mus  are  exceedingly  abundant  at  the  lake  and  constitute  a  very 
important  part  of  the  food  of  the  fishes,  particularly  of  the  young. 
We  discovered  also  that  several  of  the  birds  feed  upon  the  adult 
insects.  In  September  and  October,  when  the  larvae  complete  their 
metamorphoses  and  the  adult  insects  emerge  from  the  water,  the 
air  and  the  trees  about  the  lake  become  filled  in  the  evening  and 
on  quiet  days  with  vast  swarms  of  these  mosquito-like  insects.  The 
air  becomes  vocal  with  the  constant  humming  of  the  millions  on  the 
wing.  They  are  everywhere, — in  the  air  from  the  ground  to  a 
height  as  far  as  the  eye  can  see,  thickest  perhaps  at  a  height  of 
15  to  30  feet ;  on  the  sides  and  roofs  of  the  cottages,  on  the  fences 
and  on  bushes ;  and  on  the  trunks,  limbs  and  leaves  of  the  trees. 
There  were  literally  billions  of  them.  Then  it  is  that  many  species 
of  birds  which  had  not  been  thought  to  bear  any  intimate  relation 
to  the  lake  have  a  veritable  feast.  Among  the  birds  which  we 
saw  feeding  upon  the  insects  were  the  nighthawks,  swallows,  yel- 
low-billed cuckoos,  yellow-rumped  warblers,  red-headed  woodpeck- 
ers, and  even  song  sparrows.  And  along  the  shore  vast  quantities 
of  casts  of  Chironomus  larvae  had  been  washed  up  and  upon  these 
were  feeding  phalaropes,  snipes,  plovers,  and  even  rusty  black- 
birds, redwings,  and  crow  blackbirds. 

But  the  story  does  not  end  here.  After  the  nuptial  flight  of  the 
Chironomi  has  been  made,  these  insects,  myriads  upon  myriads  of 
them,  return  to  the  surface  of  the  water  upon  which  they  lay  their 
eggs,  and  there  fall  a  prey  to  various  species  of  fishes,  from  the 


482         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  S^irvey 

tiny  top-minnow  to  the  bluegill,  yellow  perch,  and  large-mouthed 
black  bass.  And  the  eggs  laid  by  those  which  succeed  in  escaping 
all  their  enemies  furnish  enormous  quantities  of  food  to  the  multi- 
tude of  little  fishes  hatched  during  the  previous  summer,  while 
the  eggs  that  escape  hatch  sooner  or  later,  and  in  their  new  form 
as  Chironomus  larvse,  supply  even  greater  quantities  of  delicious 
food  to  the  fishes  of  somewhat  larger  growth,  and  also  to  the 
turtles  and  young  waterdogs  in  the  water,  and  to  various  species 
of  birds  that  feed  along  the  beach.  But  even  this  is  not  all  the 
story.  The  millions  of  midges,  after  having  accomplished  their 
only  purpose  in  life  by  laying  billions  upon  billions  of  eggs,  die, 
and  their  dead  bodies,  falling  upon  the  surface  of  the  lake  or  upon 
the  land,  are  eaten  by  the  fishes,  birds,  small  insectivores,  or  other 
animals. 

The  total  number  of  species  of  birds  noted  by  us  in  the  immedi- 
ate vicinity  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee  is  175.  Doubtless  if  we  could 
have  been  at  the  lake  oftener  during  the  spring  migrations,  the 
number  would  have  been  considerably  increased.  Only  one  of  us 
was  at  the  lake  during  an  entire  spring,  and  his  time  was  then  so 
largely  taken  up  by  other  and  more  important  investigations  that 
little  opportunity  was  left  for  noting  the  birds  except  those  associ- 
ated directly  with  the  lake. 

Of  the  175  species,  at  least  50  are  very  directly  and  closely  re- 
lated ecologically  to  the  fishes  and  other  life  forms  found  in  the 
lake.  At  least  23  other  species  are  more  or  less  directly  so  re- 
lated. Of  these  73  species  many  feed  directly  upon  the  fishes;  a 
yet  larger  number  feed  directly  upon  the  food  of  the  fishes,  and 
still  others  feed  upon  insects,  plants,  etc.,  which  in  turn  serve  as 
food  for  other  species  upon  which  the  fishes  feed  directly.  All  of 
these  73  species  are  closely  associated  with  the  lake  itself;  they 
are  either  strictly  aquatic  birds,  such  as  ducks,  coots,  gulls,  terns, 
and  the  like,  or  shore  birds  such  as  herons,  snipe,  plover,  bitterns, 
and  similar  species;  or  else  swallows  and  the  like  which  fly  over 
and  about  the  lake,  feeding  upon  the  insects  found  there.  Then 
there  are  the  birds  of  prey,  the  hawks  and  owls,  some  of  which 
prey  directly  upon  the  fishes,  while  others  prey  upon  aquatic  birds, 
such  as  the  ducks  and  coots. 

As  a  matter  of  fact,  it  is  doubtful  if  there  is  a  single  species  of 
bird  frequenting  this  lake  or  its  vicinity  that  does  not  exert  some 
influence,  however  small,  upon  the  life  forms  of  the  lake  itself. 
This  w^ould  be  true  of  any  body  of  water  and  the  birds  found 
about  it. 

The  number  of  aquatic  and  shore  birds  in  the  present  list  is 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         483 

remarkably  large.  The  total  of  their  influence  upon  the  life  of 
the  lake  must  be  very  great,  indeed. 

There  is  probably  no  other  lake  in  Indiana,  if,  indeed,  in  the 
Mississippi  Valley,  where  ducks  are  so  abundant  as  to  species  and 
individuals  as  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  At  least  21  species  of  ducks 
are  known  to  visit  this  lake,  and  several  of  them  in  great  numbers. 
The  physical  characteristics  of  the  lake,  its  location,  and  the  abund- 
ance of  wild  celery  and  other  suitable  food,  all  combine  to  attract 
the  ducks  during  their  migrations  and  to  hold  them  for  many  days, 
especially  in  the  fall  and  early  winter. 

In  the  spring  the  ducks  begin  to  appear  just  as  soon  as  any  open 
water  is  found  in  the  lake.  This  will  usually  be  in  narrow  strips 
along  the  shore,  particularly  at  the  south  end  where  the  water  is 
shallow  and  where  the  ice  melts  readily.  Soon  after  the  ice  has 
left  the  lake  they  appear  in  great  numbers. 

In  1901,  the  only  spring  for  which  we  have  many  records,  the 
first  arrivals  were  noted  March  2.  The  next  day  a  great  many 
were  observed.  On  the  4th,  8th  and  9th,  several  large  flocks  were 
seen,  although  the  ice  was  not  yet  off  the  lake  and  there  was  very 
little  open  water  so  that  the  ducks  had  to  rest  upon  the  ice.  On 
the  12th  the  largest  and  most  numerous  flocks  were  seen,  usually 
flying  over  the  lake,  but  sometimes  finding  the  open  water  where 
they  alighted.  After  that  date  they  continued  to  bo  noted  almost 
daily  in  considerable  numbers  until  the  last  of  April.  They  were 
noted  as  abundant  on  April  26.  On  the  27th  only  a  few  were 
seen  and  at  no  time  after  that  date  were  they  numerous,  although 
a  few  were  seen  almost  daily  until  May  18.  After  that  date  only 
a  few  scattering  ducks  were  observed.  There  were  5,  probably  all 
little  bluebills,  that  remained  in  the  east  and  southeast  parts  of 
the  lake  at  least  up  to  July  10  when  Mr.  Clark  left  the  lake.  One 
of  these  seemed  to  be  crippled  and  it  may  be  that  all  of  them  were 
birds  which  were  unable,  on  account  of  gun-shot  wounds,  to  con- 
tinue their  northward  migration.  A  single  canvasback  was  also 
seen  July  10  in  the  southwest  part  of  the  lake.  It  and  a  pair  of 
the  little  bluebills  acted  as  if  they  had  nests  somewhere  on  the 
shore,  and  it  is  not  unlikely  that  a  few  ducks  that  have  recovered 
from  wounds  nest  at  the  lake  each  season.  Our  fall  and  winter 
records  are  much  more  complete.  Our  earliest  fall  record  is  for 
August  21,  1906,  when  several  ducks  were  seen  at  some  small  ponds 
north  of  Twin  Lakes,  a  few  miles  north  of  Maxinkuckee.  On  Au- 
gust 31,  1908,  a  good  many  wood  ducks,  several  mallards,  and  a 
few  coots  were  reported  from  some  small  ponds  just  west  of  ]\Iax- 
inkuckee.     It  is  usually  not  until  well  in  September,  however,  that 


484         Lake  Maxiiikuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

ducks  are  seen.  For  each  of  several  years  the  first  were  noted  as 
follows :  In  1899,  the  first  flock  was  seen  September  29.  In  1900, 
on  September  3,  two  flocks  seen  flying  south.  In  1906,  on  Sep- 
tember 11,  they  were  said  to  be  common  at  Lake  Manitou,  near 
Rochester,  and  the  next  day  a  flock  was  seen  at  Maxinkuckee.  In 
1907,  the  first  flock  was  seen  September  23.  In  1913,  on  Sep- 
tember 4,  two  were  seen  flying  from  Lake  Maxinkuckee  toward 
Lost  Lake.  Usually  by  the  middle  of  October,  sometimes  the  first, 
they  are  abundant,  although,  in  1913,  they  were  not  yet  very  com- 
mon at  the  end  of  October  when  our  stay  at  the  lake  ended. 

In  1899,  they  were  noted  as  scarce  on  October  12,  but  five  days 
later  a  large  flock  was  seen  at  night,  which  was  very  foggy,  on 
shore  at  Long  Point.  They  were  believed  to  be  mostly  little  blue- 
bills. 

In  1900,  a  flock  was  noted  October  16  and  others  on  the  19th. 
Two  small  flocks  seen  flying  over  on  the  26th,  and  several  others 
were  noted  on  the  28th,  and  again  on  the  29th  when  there  was 
much  shooting.  Our  only  October  record  for  1903  is  one  for  the 
15th  to  29th,  during  which  fortnight  two  market  hunters  camp- 
ing on  Long  Point  are  said  to  have  killed  a  great  many  ducks, 
mostly  little  bluebills.  They  used  blinds  and  decoys,  a  method  of 
pot  hunting  which  should  be  made  unlawful.  It  is  said  that  these 
pot  hunters  received  $6  a  dozen  for  the  ducks  they  killed. 

In  1904,  ducks  were  reported  to  be  numerous  as  early  as  Octo- 
ber 8,  but  there  were  not  many  on  the  18th.  On  the  21st  and 
22d  good-sized  flocks  were  seen  flying  over.  On  the  25th  there 
were  a  good  many  birds  on  the  lake  and  a  cottager  from  Peru 
was  seen  pursuing  them  in  a  motor  boat;  two  days  later  he  was 
caught  in  the  act  and,  pleading  guilty  on  two  counts,  was  fined 
$72.00,  including  costs.  On  the  29th  there  were  a  good  many 
ducks  on  the  lake,  mostly  little  bluebills  but  some  canvasbacks, 
and  there  was  a  good  deal  of  shooting. 

In  1906,  a  few  were  seen  far  out  on  the  lake  on  October  9, 
and  on  the  13th  there  was  much  shooting  on  the  lake,  unlawfully 
continued  long  after  sunset.  We  have  no  other  note  until  October 
28  when  a  flock  was  seen  flying  south.  The  next  day  there  were 
many  on  the  lake  and  there  was  a  good  deal  of  shooting.  On 
the  30th  they  were  common,  two  hunters  getting  15.  They  were 
plentiful  on  the  31st. 

In  1907,  two  or  three  flocks  were  seen  on  October  7,  chiefly  on 
Lost  Lake.  Others  were  seen  on  the  13th,  14th  and  15th.  On  the 
19th  there  were  thousands  on  the  lake.  Many  were  noted  on  the 
21st,  mostly  little  bluebills,  whistlers,  canvasbacks  and  redheads. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         485 

November  is  the  month  of  greatest  abundance.  Practically  all 
that  come  from  the  north  have  arrived  by  the  end  of  November 
and  few,  if  any,  have  left.  Our  notes  are  quite  full  for  this  month 
in  1900,  1904  and  1906,  and  show  that  ducks  were  quite  abundant 
throughout  the  month  in  each  of  those  years. 

December  is  second  only  to  November  in  the  abundance  of 
ducks.  While  there  will  normally  be  few  or  no  new  arrivals,  there 
will  be  some  departures  for  the  south,  and  the  numbers  through- 
out the  month  will  not  differ  greatly  from  those  of  November. 

In  1899,  ducks  were  abundant  and  there  was  excellent  shooting 
at  the  beginning  of  the  month.  In  1900,  they  were  abundant  and 
continued  so  throughout  the  month.  In  1901,  they  were  very 
abundant  at  the  beginning  and  continued  so;  little  bluebills,  can- 
vasbacks,  fish  ducks,  butterballs,  mallards,  ruddy  ducks  and  red- 
heads all  being  common.  In  1902,  they  were  quite  abundant.  In 
1904,  up  to  December  8,  one  cottager  on  the  east  side  had  killed  60 
ducks,  mostly  bluebills,  canvasbacks  and  redheads. 

The  ducks  remain  at  the  lake  usually  so  long  as  there  is  open 
water  and  abundant  food.  This  usually  extends  well  into  Janu- 
ary. Our  only  personal  observations  in  January  were  in  1901. 
By  the  first  the  lake  was  entirely  frozen  over  with  the  exception 
of  2  or  3  open  pools.  One  of  these  was  east  of  the  Deephole  and 
was  only  about  15  feet  across.  Another  was  oft'  the  Van  Schoiack 
place  and  was  even  smaller.  Still  another,  and  the  most  important 
one,  was  at  the  Weedpatch,  and  was  about  15  feet  across.  All 
these  pools  as  long  as  they  remained  open  were  literally  packed 
with  ducks  and  coots,  and  many  were  often  seen  sitting  on  the  ice. 
By  the  27th  nearly  all  had  gone,  and  none  was  seen  after  Janu- 
ary 31. 

The  best  hunting  is  usually  from  about  the  middle  of  October 
until  the  middle  of  December,  November  being  the  best  month. 
The  open  season  for  ducks  in  Indiana  is  from  September  1  to 
April  15.  This  covers  practically  the  entire  period  of  their  pres- 
ence at  the  lake,  and  affords  them  no  protection  whatever.  Spring 
shooting  should  be  eliminated  entirely.  The  birds  should  be  pro- 
tected then,  not  only  because  they  are  en  route  to  their  breeding 
grounds,  but  because  they  are  not  in  prime  condition  as  an  article 
of  food.  The  open  season  also  begins  too  early  in  the  fall.  ]\Iany. 
indeed,  most  of  the  ducks  arriving  in  the  fall  are  young  birds,  more 
or  less  immature  and  so  unsuspicious  that  they  fall  an  easy  prey 
to  the  pot-hunter.  The  closed  season  should  be  extended  to  the  first 
of  October. 

The  most  abundant  species  of  duck  visiting  Lake  ^Maxinkuckee 


486         Lake  Maxinknckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

is  undoubtedly  the  Little  Bluebill  (Marila  affinis) ,  and  the  second 
in  abundance  is  the  Canvas-back  (Marila  valisineria) .  Following 
these  come  the  Redhead  (Marila  americana) ,  the  Mallard  (Anas 
platyrhynchos) ,  the  American  Merganser  (Mergus  americanus) , 
the  Ruddy  Duck  (ErismaUira  jamaicensis)  and  the  Butterball 
(Charitonetta  albeola) .  The  remaining  fourteen  species  are  each 
less  common. 

The  state  law  regarding  hunting  water-birds  is  not  as  well 
obeyed  at  Maxinkuckee  as  it  should  be.  The  most  serious  offend- 
ers are  those  who  have  launches  or  motor-boats  of  one  sort  or 
another.  Not  all  those  having  such  boats  violate  the  law,  but  sev- 
eral of  them  do.  They  not  only  chase  or  pursue  the  ducks  with 
their  launches,  but  do  it  after  sundown,  and  even  without  any  sort 
of  hunting  license. 

The  Lake  Maxinkuckee  Association  should  have  their  patrol- 
man made  a  special  game  warden  and  then  see  to  it  that  he  be 
active  and  fearless  in  enforcing  the  law  against  all  pot-hunters. 

In  nomenclature  and  sequence  of  species  we  have  followed  the 
third  (revised)  edition  of  the  Check-List  of  North  American  Birds, 
issued  by  the  American  Ornithologists'  Union  in  1910. 

List  of  Species 
1.    holbcell's  grebe 

COLYMBUS  HOLBCELLI    (Reinhardt) 

The  only  definite  record  we  have  of  this  species  was  made  Oc- 
tober 12,  1913,  when  a  single  individual  was  observed  in  the  lake 
150  to  200  yards  or  more  east  of  Long  Point.  Its  larger  size,  long 
slender  neck,  and  white  color  at  once  attracted  our  attention  as  in- 
dicating a  species  different  from  the  horned  grebe  or  pied-billed 
grebe.  Considerable  time  was  devoted  to  observing  it.  It  was  evi- 
dently feeding,  as  it  dived  very  frequently,  remaining  under  sev- 
eral seconds  and  usually  coming  up  not  far  from  where  it  went 
under.  Occasionally  it  would  stand  up  in  the  water  and  flap  its 
wings. 

This  species  of  grebe  feeds  on  small  mollusks,  crustaceans  and 
small  fishes. 

2.     HORNED   GREBE 

COLYMBUS  AURITUS   Linnaeus 

This  little  grebe  is  not  common  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  but  a 
few  may  be  seen  in  the  spring  and  again  in  the  fall.  We  have 
observed  it  in  April  and  June ;  also  in  October,  November,  Decem- 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         487 

ber  and  Januaiy.  It  is  evidently  a  spring  and  fall  migrant. 
Dates  on  which  we  definitely  recorded  it  are  as  follows :  In  1899, 
on  September  30  when  two  were  shot  at  Long  Point;  in  1900,  on 
September  14,  on  October  17  and  18,  on  November  1,  3,  4,  8  and 
12,  and  December  8,  ail  off  Long  Point;  in  1901,  on  January  2, 
April  19,  June  11,  September  30  and  October  8;  in  1902,  on  Oc- 
tober 19 ;  in  1904,  on  October  23,  25,  26,  27,  28,  30  and  31,  and 
on  November  2,  3,  5,  9,  11  and  15;  in  1907,  on  October  15  and  22; 
and  in  1913,  on  October  3,  6,  17  and  20.  It  may  have  been  seen  at 
other  times  but  at  the  distance  observed  and  in  the  condition  of 
plumage  could  not  be  positively  distinguished  from  the  more  com- 
mon pied-billed  grebe. 

Though  it  is  said  to  breed  at  some  of  the  small  lakes  in  north- 
ern Indiana  we  have  never  found  its  nest  here,  nor  have  we  seen 
the  species  in  mid-summer.  June  11  is  the  latest  date  in  spring 
on  which  we  have  seen  it,  and  the  earliest  date  in  the  fall  is  Sep- 
tember 14.  From  then  on  until  the  lake  freezes  over  it  may  be 
observed  almost  any  day.  A  few^  usually  linger  until  the  last  open 
spaces  in  the  lake  begin  to  close,  then  they  disappear.  The  latest 
date  on  which  it  has  been  recorded  is  January  2  when  one  was  seen 
in  an  open  pool  in  the  ice  near  the  Weedpatch. 

The  Horned  Grebe  is  a  solitary  bird,  rarely  seen  in  flocks. 
Sometimes  2  or  3  may  be  together,  and  on  rare  occasions  as  many 
as  5  or  6,  but  usually  only  1  or  2  may  be  seen.  Occasionally  they 
may  be  found  mixed  in  with  a  flock  of  coots,  the  grebes  sometimes 
surrounded  by  the  coots ;  at  other  times  on  the  edge  or  outskii-ts  of 
the  flock.  They  prefer  to  stay  near  shore  and  in  the  nooks  and 
coves  and  protected  corners  of  the  lake,  although  at  times  they  may 
be  seen  out  in  the  open,  exposed  places. 

These  innocent  birds  are  frequently  shot  in  pure  wantonness 
by  irresponsible  boys  and  others  who,  seeing  them  near  shore,  can- 
not resist  the  foolish  desire  to  shoot  at  any  bird  seen  on  the  water. 
Doubtless  they  are  sometimes  mistaken  for  ducks  by  the  ill-in- 
formed.    Dead  grebes  are  often  found  along  the  shore. 

An  examination  of  a  number  of  stomachs  showed  that  their 
food  consists  chiefly  of  vegetable  matter,  with  an  occasional  small 
fish,  mollusk  or  crustacean.  No  food  or  game  fish  was  found  in 
any  grebe's  stomach.  The  only  species  found  were  skipjacks 
(Labidesthes  sic  cuius) ,  graybacks  {Fundulus  diaphauits),  and 
some  of  the  Cyprinidse.  The  stomach  of  one  examined  November 
3  contained  vegetable  fibers  and  possibly  a  few  feathers.  Another 
examined  November  9  contained  only  a  small  quantity  of  feathers. 
They  are,  therefore,  entirely  harmless  and  should  be  protected. 


488         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

They  are  very  quiet  birds,  seldom  uttering  any  note,  although  on 
one  occasion  (September  14),  when  one  was  surprised  near  the 
shore  of  Lost  Lake,  it  uttered  a  succession  of  short,  quacking  cries 
as  it  scurried  to  deeper  water  in  which  it  dived. 

Like  its  relative,  the  pied-billed  grebe,  the  Horned  Grebe  is  an 
expert  diver.  Usually  when  approached  it  swims  slowly  away, 
but  when  close-pressed  it  never  takes  flight  but  dives.  It  can  re- 
main under  water  quite  a  time  and  usually  comes  up  at  some  re- 
mote unexpected  place. 

The  Horned  Grebe,  when  in  full  plumage,  is  a  very  handsome 
bird,  especially  when  the  sunlight  glints  on  the  rich  color  of  the 
head. 

The  only  other  species  occurring  at  the  lake  that  at  all  re- 
sembles the  Horned  Grebe  is  the  helldiver.  The  two  are  readily 
distinguished,  however,  even  by  the  novice,  by  the  difference  in 
the  bill,  that  of  the  Horned  Grebe  being  more  slender,  straight 
and  rather  acute,  while  that  of  the  helldiver  is  stout  and  somewhat 
hooked.  The  difl"erence  in  the  length  of  the  bill  is  considerable, 
that  of  the  helldiver  being  about  an  inch,  while  that  of  the  Horned 
Grebe  is  over  three  inches. 

3.     HELLDIVER 

PODILYMBUS  PODICEPS    (Linnaeus) 

This  curious  little  gi"ebe  is  known  by  many  different  names, 
among  which  may  be  mentioned  Pied-billed  Grebe,  Thick-billed 
Grebe,  Carolina  Grebe,  Pied-billed  Dabchick,  Dabchick,  Dipper, 
Didipper,  Didapper,  Helldiver,  Water-witch,  and  Devil-diver.  At 
Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  known  to  those  who  know  it  at  all,  as  the 
Helldiver.  Most  of  these  names  refer  to  the  ease  and  quiet  mys- 
tery with  which  it  disappears  under  water  when  approached. 
Every  one  who  has  ever  spent  any  time  about  a  lake  or  stream  has 
often  seen  these  curious  duck-like  birds  and  has  been  mystified  by 
their  elusive  movements. 

From  the  horned  grebe  the  Helldiver  can  readily  be  distin- 
guished by  its  short,  stout,  broad  bill  in  contrast  with  the  slender, 
straight,  sharp  bill  of  the  former.  At  Maxinkuckee  it  is  much 
more  common  than  the  horned  grebe.  It  is  seen  in  considerable 
numbers  in  the  spring  and  more  abundantly  in  the  fall.  A  few 
remain  throughout  the  summer  and  breed  among  the  Scirpus 
patches  about  Lost  Lake  or  in  the  marshes  of  Norris  Inlet.  A 
pair  evidently  nested  in  Lost  Lake  in  1908,  as  two  immature  young, 
unable  to  fly,  were  seen  there  September  6. 

A  few  dates  on  which  it  was  definitely  observed  may  be  given : 


Lake  Maxinknckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         489 

In  1900,  almost  daily  from  August  28  to  December  8;  in  1901, 
from  April  15  to  28,  and  on  December  18 ;  in  1903,  on  September 
21;  in  1904,  on  October  31  and  November  1;  in  1906,  on  August 
29,  September  14,  October  5,  6,  9,  11,  15  and  30,  and  November 
8 ;  in  1907,  from  September  7  to  October  14 ;  in  1908,  on  August 
24  and  September  6 ;  and  in  1913,  from  September  6  to  October  26. 
Specimens  were  examined  on  October  27  and  November  14,  19, 
and  20,  1900 ;  April  15  and  December  18,  1901 ;  October  5,  6,  9, 
11,  15,  30  and  November  8,  1906,  and  October  10,  1913. 

The  nest  is  usually  a  little  semi-floating  island  made  of  decayed 
and  decaying  rushes,  reeds  and  grass  mixed  with  mud  and  various 
sorts  of  debris  gathered  from  the  bottom  or  from  the  nearby  shore. 
The  nest  will  be  fastened  more  or  less  securely  to  reeds  or  rushes  or 
other  aquatic  plants  which  have  been  pulled  down  and  piled  upon 
until  the  nest  rises  two  or  three  inches  above  the  water.  The  eggs 
number  six  to  nine  or  ten  and  are  a  dirty  yellowish  or  bluish  white. 
During  the  day  the  grebes  cover  the  eggs  with  decaying  vegetation 
and  trust  to  the  heat  of  the  sun  to  incubate  them.  At  night  it  is 
said  the  rubbish  is  removed  and  the  bird  sits  upon  the  eggs. 

The  Helldiver  remains  late  in  the  fall,  even  until  compelled  to 
leave  by  the  freezing  over  of  the  lake.  They  appear  in  spring 
as  early  as  April  15  and  are  common  for  about  2  weeks.  Dur- 
ing the  summer  only  rarely  is  one  seen  until  about  the  last  week 
in  August  when  they  reappear.  They  are  most  common  from 
about  the  tenth  of  September  to  the  first  of  December.  The  latest 
date  on  which  any  was  observed  was  December  18. 

This  bird  is  solitary  in  its  habits  though  now  and  then  2  or  3 
or  even  more  may  be  seen  together.  We  have  observed  small 
flocks  of  as  many  as  five,  particularly  in  Outlet  Bay,  at  Norris 
Inlet,  and  in  Lost  Lake.  Like  the  horned  grebe  the  Helldiver  de- 
lights most  in  the  shallow  water  near  shore,  especially  over  mud 
bottom,  and  in  the  vicinity  of  patches  of  vegetation.  Rarely  is  it 
seen  far  out  on  the  lake.  To  find  it  one  should  look  in  the  nooks 
and  coves  and  other  protected  places.  Here  it  swims  about  quietly, 
never  uttering  a  sound,  and  escaping  when  approached,  usually  by 
diving  and  not  coming  up  until  some  distance  away.  Sometimes 
when  one  of  these  birds  is  approached  quietly  and  slowly,  it  will 
settle  down  quietly  in  the  water,  leaving  only  its  bill  and  nostrils 
projecting.  It  normally  rides  much  higher  in  the  water  than  the 
coot,  nearly  all  its  body  being  above  the  water-line. 

A  favorite  resort  for  the  Helldiver  was  in  Outlet  Bay.  There 
one  to  5  or  6  could  be  seen  any  day  in  late  summer  or  during  the 
fall,  swimming  about  quietly,  now  and  then  diving  for  food.    Some- 


490         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Sitrvey 

times  they  associate  with  the  coots  or  the  Httle  bluebills,  but  they 
are  usually  quite  exclusive  and  stay  apart. 

There  is  always  a  feeling  of  mystery  about  this  curious  little 
bird.  Not  only  is  its  coming  unheralded  and  unobserved  but  like- 
wise its  departure.  And  while  it  tarries  with  us  its  actions  are 
elusive  and  phantom-like. 

On  one  occasion  in  the  fall  of  1906,  a  Helldiver  was  cornered 
in  a  small  shallow  cove  in  Lost  Lake  where  the  water  was  scarcely 
deep  enough  to  cover  it  when  it  attempted  to  dive,  which  it  did 
when  gradually  approached  with  the  boat.  When  the  grebe  at- 
tempted to  dive  it  would  strike  the  bottom  and  immediately  come 
up  again  and,  seeing  the  boat  so  near,  it  would  give  vent  to  a  sort 
of  surprised  sneeze  and  dive  again.  It  did  this  several  times  until 
finally  it  got  by  the  boat  and  escaped  to  deeper  water. 

The  feeding  habits  of  the  Helldiver  are  interesting.  Its  food 
consists  chiefly  of  small  mollusks,  crustaceans,  vegetation  and 
small  fish.  Usually  when  securing  food  it  simply  dives,  picks  up 
what  it  desires  from  the  bottom,  sometimes  swimming  along  on 
the  bottom  searching  for  choice  bits.  Surface-swimming  min- 
nows it  may  occasionally  capture  without  diving.  But  it  is  when 
a  school  of  small  surface-swimming  fishes  comes  near  that  its 
method  becomes  rather  more  exciting.  On  December  4,  1900,  a 
Helldiver  was  seen  near  the  shore  so  close  that  its  movements  could 
be  carefully  observed.  It  was  keeping  in  touch  with  a  large  school 
of  skipjacks  (Labidesthes  sicculiis)  on  which  it  was  feeding.  It 
would  dive,  swim  rapidly  under  the  school,  then  rising  to  the  sur- 
face, seize  one  of  the  fish,  the  skipjacks  the  while  leaping  out  of 
the  water  and  scurrying  excitedly  about  in  their  efforts  to  escape. 
On  December  8,  a  Helldiver  was  caught  on  a  set-line  hook  baited 
with  a  small  minnow. 

Although  this  bird  feeds  largely  on  fishes,  the  species  it  preys 
upon  are  skipjacks,  graybacks  and  various  Cyprinidae,  none  of 
any  value  as  a  food  fish  but  useful  only  as  food  for  the  Helldiver, 
or  for  other  fishes.  An  examination  of  many  stomachs  did  not  re- 
veal a  single  food  or  game  fish  of  any  kind.  It  is  frequently  shot 
by  hunters  or  boys  who  sometimes  mistake  it  for  a  duck,  but  more 
often  in  pure  wantonness.  Many  grebes  found  dead  along  the 
shore,  especially  in  the  fall,  were  examined  that  we  might  learn 
what  we  could  regarding  their  food,  with  the  result  set  forth  above. 

Although  sometimes  eaten  it  is  not  esteemed  as  an  article  of 
food,  the  flesh  being  rather  rank  in  both  odor  and  flavor. 

It  is  therefore  clear  that  the  Helldiver  is  as  innocent  as  it  is  at- 
tractive and  should  not  be  molested  in  any  way. 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         491 

4.     LOON 

GAVIA  IMMER   (Brunnich) 

The  Common  Loon  or  Great  Northern  Diver  is  not  a  very  com- 
mon spring  and  fall  migiant  at  this  lake.  We  have  noted  it  in  the 
spring-  on  the  following  dates : 

May  20,  1885;  March  28  and  29,  April  3,  4,  6,  7,  8,  11,  15,  1(5, 
18,  19,  21,  24,  28  and  29,  May  9,  27,  and  31,  and  June  8,  10,  and 
14,  1901 ;  and  April  23,  1909.  In  the  fall  we  have  observed  it  on 
the  following  dates:  September  23,  October  10,  17,  and  18,  No- 
vember 7,  12,  13,  20,  21,  22  and  23,  and  December  2,  4,  6  and  17, 
1900;  October  20,  November  2,  and  December  21,  1902;  October 

27,  1904 ;  October  15  and  November  5,  1906,  and  October  14  and  28, 
1907.  The  extreme  spring  dates  are  March  28  and  June  14,  and 
those  for  the  fall  are  August  8  and  December  21.  Though  our 
fall  records  are  the  more  numerous,  it  is  probably  no  less  com- 
mon in  the  spring.  Between  the  extreme  spring  and  fall  dates 
given,  one  or  more,  usually  a  pair,  may  be  seen  on  the  lake  on  al- 
most any  suitable  day.  It  does  not  nest  at  this  lake  although  it 
probably  did  so  formerly,  as  it  is  still  said  to  do  at  some  of  the 
lakes  in  northeastern  Indiana. 

The  Loon  is  never  seen  in  flocks ;  it  occurs  singly,  sometimes 
in  pairs,  or,  very  rarely,  3  or  4  together.  It  does  not  frequent 
shallow  water  near  shore  but  most  delights  to  stay  well  out  in  the 
open  water  far  from  shore. 

Its  behavior  in  the  water  is  interesting.  On  April  24,  four 
were  seen  far  out  on  the  lake  flapping  their  wings,  raising  their 
bodies  out  of  the  water,  and  stretching  their  necks.  Then  they 
would  swim  around  one  another,  at  the  same  time  bowing,  making 
strange  sounds,  and  preening  their  feathers.  Sometimes,  par- 
ticularly in  muggy  weather,  or  when  the  sky  is  lowering  and  rain 
is  approaching,  they  utter  the  wild,  delirious  laughter  for  which 
they  are  famous.  There  is  nothing  else  like  it,  so  wild  and  wierd 
and  startling  in  its  explosive  suddenness. 

The  Loon  is  the  prince  of  divers.  There  is  probably  no  other 
bird  of  our  inland  waters  that  dives  so  promptly  and  so  gracefully 
on  approach,  or  which  will  remain  under  water  longer  or  swim 
farther  than  the  Loon.  It  is  diOicult  to  put  a  Loon  to  flight;  they 
almost  invariably  depend  on  diving  as  the  proper  method  of  escape. 
Rarely  is  one  seen  on  the  wing,  but  occasionally  one  has  been  seen 
usually  flying  low  over  the  lake. 

The  Loon  is  one  of  our  largest  birds.     One  examined  October 

28,  a  young  bird,  was  29';  inches  long  and  weighed  6  pounds.  12^ 
ounces. 


492         Lake  Maxbikuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

The  food  of  the  Loon  doubtless  consists  chie,fly  of  fish.  It  is 
not  often,  however,  that  any  food  can  be  found  in  their  stomachs. 
Two  were  examined  May  20,  one  November  5,  one  October  15,  and 
one  October  28,  but  nothing  identifiable  was  found  in  the  stomach 
of  any.  One  good  observer  at  this  lake  states  that  he  saw  a  Loon 
chase,  capture  and  devour  a  helldiver,  and  he  believes  they  prey 
upon  other  water  birds  such  as  they  can  capture.  He  observes 
that  ducks,  coots,  etc.,  always  give  the  loons  a  wide  berth;  but  it 
may  well  be  that  the  Loon  is  the  one  that  keeps  away. 

The  Loon  is  a  much  persecuted  bird.  No  sooner  does  one  ap- 
pear on  the  lake  and  come  under  observation  than  some  one  in 
a  rowboat  or  a  motor-boat  begins  to  chase  it.  And  during  the 
hunting  season  many  thoughtless  gunners  take  a  shot  at  any  Loon 
within  reach.  Fortunately  the  Loon  is  so  prompt  in  diving  that  it 
is  usually  under  water  before  the  shot  reaches  it. 

While  the  Loon  doubtless  eats  a  few  fish  the  damage  it  does  in 
this  way  is  so  slight  as  to  be  negligible,  and  such  a  picturesque  bird 
should  receive  full  protection  and  encouragement  to  remain  as  long 
as  it  will  at  the  lake  when  on  its  spring  and  fall  migrations. 

5.     HERRING  GULL 

LARUS  ARGENTATUS  Pontoppidan 

The  Common  American  Herring  Gull  is  a  spring  and  fall  mi- 
grant at  this  lake.  In  the  winter  and  spring  it  has  been  noted 
January  10,  21,  25  and  28;  March  7,  8,  9,  13,  20,  21,  27,  28,  29 
and  30 ;  April  1,  3,  4,  5,  10,  11,  and  25 ;  and  May  21.  In  the  fall 
it  has  been  recorded  on  October  12,  20  and  25;  November  4;  and 
December  6,  12,  14,  15,  18,  and  21. 

As  will  be  observed  from  these  dates,  this  gull  is  most  common 
in  March  and  December;  it  is  therefore  a  very  early  spring  mi- 
grant and  a  very  late  migrant  in  the  fall.  They  are  sometimes 
seen  in  the  middle  of  winter  when  the  lake  is  wholly  or  partly  cov- 
ered with  ice.  Those  seen  December  19,  1900,  were  standing  on 
the  ice,  as  were  also  these  seen  December  6  and  12,  1904.  Those 
that  came  early  in  March  sat  around  on  the  ice  or  swam  in  the 
open  places.  Those  seen  in  January  were  doubtless  arrivals  from 
the  north,  tarrying  for  a  few  days  on  their  way  south. 

They  apparently  do  not  feed  while  at  the  lake  and  the  stay  of 
any  individual  is  usually  brief. 

Although  this  gull  is  a  fish-eating  bird  it  is  a  useful  scavenger 
and  should  be  protected. 


Lake  Maxinktickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Savvey         493 

6.  RING-BILLED  GULL 

LARUS   DELAWARENSIS   Ord 

In  general  appearance  and  habits  mucli  like  the  herring  gull. 
and,  though  smaller  in  size,  not  readily  distinguishable  at  a  dis- 
tance except  by  the  trained  ornithologist. 

This  is  a  regular  migrant  in  Indiana,  and  winter  resident  on 
Lake  Michigan,  and  perhaps  elsewhere  in  the  State. 

A  flock  of  6  seen  September  28,  1900.  In  the  spring  of  1901 
one  or  more  were  noted  April  4,  5,  6,  14,  15,  18,  19,  22,  23,  and  24. 
Several  were  seen  April  7,  1885.  Rarely  were  more  than  2  or  3 
seen  at  any  one  time.  They  were  usually  seen  flying,  but  occa- 
sionally they  were  observed  on  the  water.  When  flying,  they  circle 
about,  often  uttering  their  peculiar  harsh  cry.  The  one  seen  Api-il 
6  was  found  dead. 

Like  the  herring  gull  this  species  is  chiefly  a  scavenger  and 
should  be  protected. 

7.  BONAPARTE'S  GULL 

LARUS   PHILADELPHIA    (Ord) 

This  handsome  little  gull  is  a  common  species  throughout  North 
America,  not  only  on  the  coasts  but  in  the  interior.  Its  flight  is 
light  and  graceful  as  that  of  a  tern.  Like  the  two  preceding 
species  it  is  with  us  onlj-  as  a  spring  and  fall  migrant.  On  Lake 
Michigan  it  is  sometimes  a  winter  resident.  At  Lake  Maxinkuckee 
it  is  seen  most  often  in  the  fall.  Several  were  seen  and  two  speci- 
mens secured  April  7,  1885.  In  1899,  examples  were  seen  Septem- 
ber 1,  2,  3,  21  and  29,  and  on  November  1.  In  1900,  it  was  seen 
September  3;  in  1904,  November  4;  in  1906,  September  9;  and  in 
1913,  September  12,  and  October  11,  12,  21,  22,  and  25.  The 
largest  number  seen  at  one  time  was  11  on  September  12,  1913. 

In  their  migrations  these  graceful  birds  tarry  at  the  lake  only 
a  few  days,  during  which  they  are  usually  seen  circling  about  over 
the  water,  now  and  then  alighting  for  a  short  time.  They  are 
most  frequently  seen  in  the  north  end  of  the  lake  and  particularly 
on  rainy  or  stormy  days  in  September  and  October. 

8.     FORSTER'S  TERN 

STERNA   FORSTERI   Nuttall 

Spring  and  fall  migrant,  not  often  seen  at  Maxinkuckee.  Ex- 
amples were  seen  by  us  on  the  Wabash  River,  near  Terre  Haute, 
April  28  and  May  19,  1888,  and  several  specimens  were  taken  at 
Lake  Maxinkuckee  by  Mr.  A.  B.  IHrey  in  1895. 

We  have  no  positive  record  based  on  oui-  own  observations. 


494         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

9.  COMMON  TERN 

STERNA  HIRUNDO  Linnaeus 

This  little  tern  is  seen  at  the  lake  only  rarely  as  a  spring  and 
fall  migrant.  We  have  observed  it  on  the  Wabash  near  Delphi, 
where  we  saw  perhaps  a  dozen  flying  up  the  river  May  2,  1884. 
We  have  examined  a  specimen  shot  near  Adams  Mill  on  Wild  Cat 
Creek,  Carroll  County,  Indiana,  October  28,  1898.  Our  first  ex- 
perience with  this  species  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  was  on  May  11, 
1885,  when  one  specimen,  a  fine  male,  was  obtained  by  Sam  J, 
Huntsinger  from  a  considerable  number  seen  on  the  lake  that  day. 
One  was  seen  September  3,  1913,  flying  over  the  south  part  of 
the  lake. 

10.  BLACK  TERN 

HYDROCHELIDON  NIGRA  SURINAMENSIS   (Gmelin) 

Rather  common  in  spring;  noted  most  frequently  between 
April  27  and  May  30  (1901).  Not  abundant  every  day,  but  some 
days  in  considerable  flocks,  flying,  wheeling  and  dipping  in  grace- 
ful evolutions  and  giving  fine  effects  as  the  sunshine  catches  dif- 
ferent parts  of  the  plumage.  Sometimes  they  are  noisy,  giving 
vent  to  sharp  cries.  Sometimes  associated  with  them  in  their 
flights  are  bullbats,  which,  in  their  movements  and  general  build, 
considerably  resemble  the  terns  while  in  flight. 

This  species  is  often  seen  also  on  the  larger  rivers  in  the  state, 
especially  on  the  Wabash  at  Delphi  and  Terre  Haute  where  we 
have  frequently  noted  it  in  the  spring.  It  is  said  to  breed  abund- 
antly in  the  Kankakee  and  Calumet  marshes. 

In  1899,  this  species  was  frequently  seen  in  August  and  Sep- 
tember. In  1900  a  flock  of  about  17  was  seen  July  24,  following 
a  heavy  rain  in  the  morning,  which  raised  the  lake  2!  inches.  On 
the  next  day  10  were  seen  flying  over  the  lake.  One  more  seen  on 
next  day,  and  several  on  29th.  On  August  7,  six  or  seven  were 
seen,  and  on  August  9,  four  adults  were  seen.  Two  days  later  12 
to  15  were  observed  and  again  on  23d,  27th  and  30th,  after  which 
date  no  more  were  noted.  On  August  27,  a  large  flock  of  18  was 
seen. 

In  the  spring  of  1901,  it  was  seen  at  the  lake  on  April  10,  13, 
14,  15,  16,  17,  27,  and  May  30,  also  June  8.  On  April  27  a  flock  of 
about  80  was  observed  swimming  on  the  lake.  During  the  entire 
month  the  species  was  quite  abundant.  In  1903  it  was  noted  Sep- 
tember 21. 

In  1904  the  Little  Black  Tern  was  common  on  the  lake  during 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey  195 

September  19-21,  flying  about  in  flocks  of  1  to  6.  The  first  noted 
in  1906  were  seen  July  29 ;  others  may  have  been  present  earlier 
but  our  notes  do  not  mention  it.  This  one  sat  nearly  all  day  on  a 
stake  in  the  lake  in  front  of  the  ice  houses.  Another  was  seen 
September  13.  In  1907,  one  or  more  were  noted  September  8,  9, 
10,  12,  22,  24,  25,  and  30.  On  September  24,  41  were  observed  in 
the  north  end  of  the  lake  flying  against  the  wind.  In  1910,  several 
were  seen  May  30,  and  more  than  a  dozen  on  July  4. 

On  September  21,  1913,  a  flock  of  12  appeared  at  the  lake  and 
they  were  noted  almost  daily  thereafter  until  October  2,  after 
which  none  was  seen.  They  frequented  the  north  end  of  the  lake 
and  were  often  observed  resting  on  a  floating  piece  of  timber  in 
the  lake  off  the  ice-houses.  They  would  sometimes  remain  there 
for  an  hour  or  more  at  a  time,  then  they  would  circle  about  over 
the  lake,  now  and  then  striking  at  a  school  of  skipjacks  or  other 
small  fish  at  the  surface,  sooner  or  later  returning  to  the  resting 
place  where  they  would  again  remain  for  some  time. 

This  graceful  little  tern  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  and  at- 
tractive birds  that  visit  this  lake;  usually  quiet,  but  sometimes 
uttering  a  sharp  cry,  as  if  of  alarm  or  anger;  sometimes  skimming 
low  over  the  lake,  now  and  then  striking  the  surface  where  a  school 
of  skipjacks  is  swimming,  at  other  times,  particularly  when  a 
storm  is  approaching,  circling  high  in  air.  All  these  terns  are  fish- 
eating  birds,  but  they  prey  chiefly  upon  the  small  surface-swim- 
ming fishes  such  as  the  skipjack  and  the  grayback  minnow.  They 
do  no  harm  and  add  much  to  the  attractiveness  of  the  lake. 

The  fact  that  this  tern  is  seen  about  the  lake  in  every  month 
from  April  to  September  suggests  that  it  may  breed  in  this 
region. 

11.     FLORIDA  CORMORANT 

PHALACROCORAX  AURITUS  FLORIDANUS    (Audubon) 

The  Cormorant  is  one  of  the  rarest  migrants  at  Maxinkuckee. 
Our  only  records  are  as  follows:  September  20,  1900,  one  seen 
flying  over  the  lake  ;  October  8,  1900,  3  were  seen  perched  on  a  tree 
at  Long  Point;  another  seen  on  Long  Point,  October  19,  1907;  and 
3  seen  flying  over  the  lake  September  20,  1913.  On  October  16, 
1913,  one  was  seen  on  the  Kankakee  River  near  Hebron,  some  10 
miles  west  of  Lake  Makinkuckee. 

Although  the  Cormorant  is  a  greedy  fish-eating  bird,  its  rarity 
at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  precludes  it  from  exerting  any  appreciable 
influence  on  the  fish-life  of  that  lake. 

32—17618 


496         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

12.     FISHDUCK;  MERGANSER 

MERGUS  AMERICANUS   Cassin 

The  Fishduck,  American  Merg-anser,  or  Sawbill,  is  not  com- 
mon at  the  lake.  Several  were  seen  in  a  narrow,  open  strip  of 
water  near  the  Farrar  cottage,  April  7,  1885.  One  of  these,  a  fe- 
male, was  killed;  it  gave  the  following  data:  Length  23  inches; 
wing  10 ;  tail  5 ;  bill  2^ ;  tarsus  1% ;  stretch  31 ;  weight  2\  pounds. 
At  that  time  the  ice  was  still  on  the  lake,  there  being  only  an  open 
strip  around  the  shore,  usually  widest  at  the  mouths  of  the  inlet 
streams.  In  this  open  water  ducks  were  rather  common,  mergan- 
sers, butterballs,  baldpates,  and  little  bluebills  being  among  the 
species  noted. 

According  to  Mr.  S.  S.  Chadwick,  who  has  observed  the  water- 
fowl of  this  lake  for  many  successive  years,  the  Sawbill  is  the  last 
to  arrive  in  the  fall  and  the  first  to  leave  in  the  spring. 

In  1900,  one  or  more  were  noted  on  each  of  the  following  dates : 
November  2,  3,  and  18 ;  and  December  5.  In  1901,  on  January  2, 
March  7,  and  December  6  and  18;  and  in  1904,  on  December  15, 
when  one  was  shot  from,  an  open  pool  in  the  ice  in  which  were 
mergansers,  little  bluebills,  canvasbacks,  a  horned  grebe,  a  few 
coots,  a  pair  of  hooded  mergansers,  two  golden-eyes,  and,  perhaps, 
a  few  others. 

The  stomachs  of  several  examined  were  all  practically  empty. 
It  is  well  known,  however,  that  this  duck,  as  its  name  indicates, 
feeds  largely  on  fish.  Its  flesh  is  therefore  rank  and  fishy  and  not 
esteemed  as  food.     The  young  birds  are  not  so  objectionable. 

The  comparative  rarity  of  this  magnificent  duck  at  the  lake 
prevents  it  from  doing  any  appreciable  harm  to  the  fishes  of  these 
waters  and  justifies  all  efl'orts  that  may  be  put  forth  for  its  pro- 
tection. 

13.     RED-BREASTED  MERGANSER 

MERGUS  SERRATOR  Linnaeus 

The  Red-breasted  Merganser  or  Sawbill,  is  not  a  common  duck 
at  this  lake.     Our  notes  contain  only  half  a  dozen  references  to  it. 

One  or  more  were  seen  October  21,  1900 ;  several  on  December 
5,  and  again  December  6,  1900,  when  4  or  5  were  killed ;  a  few  on 
January  2,  and  one  on  March  8,  1901 ;  and  2,  one  of  which  was  shot, 
on  November  28,  1904.  This  example  weighed  2  pounds,  2  ounces, 
and  the  oesophagal  enlargement  was  packed  full  of  small  fishes, 
chiefly  skipjacks,  but  with  a  few  log  perch  and  a  few  small 
minnows. 


Lake  Maxinknckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Sun-eij         497 
14.     HOODED  MERGANSER 

LOPHODYTES   CI  (  LJLLATUS    (Linnwus) 

Occasional  in  winter.  One  was  shot  on  November  21,  1900, 
2  on  December  9,  1901,  both  very  fat,  and  2  on  December  15,  1904, 
a  male  and  a  female.  They  were  both  shot  while  in  one  of  the  open 
pools  in  the  ice.  A  few  were  noted  December  2,  1902,  and  1  on 
March  9,  1903. 

This  and  the  two  preceding  species  are,  of  all  the  ducks,  per- 
haps the  most  destructive  to  fish  life.  In  Alaska  and  elsewhere 
in  the  West,  where  there  are  salmon  streams,  these  fish  ducks  de- 
stroy great  numbers  of  salmon  fry.  Fortunately  the  fishes  on 
which  they  feed  at  Maxinkuckee  are  unimportant  species,  and 
these  ducks  are  not  sufficiently  abundant,  nor  do  they  remain  long 
enough,  to  do  much  damage. 


15.     MALLARD 

ANAS  PLATYRHYN(  HOS  Linnaus 

The  Common  Mallard,  or  Greenhead,  is  one  of  the  abundant 
ducks,  particularly  in  the  fall.  We  have  only  the  following  spring 
references:     March  3  and  31  and  April  1,  4,  6  and  11,  1901. 

In  the  fall  we  have  noted  it  on  various  dates  from  September 
22  to  January  3.  From  October  1  to  December  30  it  is  usually  quite 
common.  When  on  the  lake  they  are  usually  seen  some  distance 
from  shore  or  else  in  solitary  pairs  in  secluded  nooks  or  coves. 
Single  individuals  or  pairs  are  often  seen  in  protected  places  about 
Lost  Lake.  Formerly  the  Mallard  bred  at  this  lake  but  apparently 
few,  if  any,  do  so  now.  At  night  they  come  near  shore  or  resort  to 
the  land,  where  they  feed  on  seeds  or  stems  of  land  or  swamp 
plants. 

In  the  open  pools  left  in  the  lake  when  it  freezes  over,  the 
Mallard  is  one  of  the  ducks  most  often  seen.  The  ice  about  the 
pools  is  often  covered  with  muddy  tracks  made  by  mallards  that 
have  returned  from  their  nocturnal  feeding  grounds  in  the  marshes. 

The  Mallard  is  the  most  alert  of  all  the  ducks.  When  ap- 
proached in  the  open  they  will  take  wing  long  before  one  is  within 
shooting  distance.  When  come  upon  suddenly,  they  are  up  and 
away  with  a  loud,  quacking  noise.  They  have  the  loudest  voice  of 
any  and  are  the  most  noisy.  They  are  particularly  noisy  on  quiet, 
foggy  or  muggy  nights,  and  their  frequent  quacking  is  almost 
identical  with  that  of  their  domesticated  kin. 


498         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

On  November  14,  a  female  Mallard  was  caught  in  a  steel-trap 
set  for  muskrats. 

Four  examples  measured  and  weighed  gave  the  following  data : 

November  1,  a  female,  weight  2  pounds,  5^  ounces. 

November  1,  a  male,  weight  2  pounds,  5^  ounces. 

December  2,  a  male,  22^  inches  long,  weight  2  pounds,  7  ounces. 

December  2,  a  female,  19^  inches  long,  weight  2  pounds,  2^ 
ounces. 

The  Mallard  is  primarily  a  vegetable  feeder.  The  stomach  of 
one  examined  November  30  contained  bits  of  a  fine-leaved  Pota- 
mogeton ;  two  examined  November  1  contained  stolons  of  wild 
celery.  Others  examined  contained  seeds  of  various  plants,  par- 
ticularly smartweed. 

16.     BLACK  MALLARD 

ANAS    RUBRIPES    Brewster 

The  Black  Mallard  or  Black  Duck  is  not  common.  Seven  were 
seen  September  18,  1899,  several  on  November  3  and  4,  and  3  or 
4  on  Lost  Lake,  November  15,  1900,  and  a  female  was  shot  De- 
cember 7,  1900.  A  fine  flock  was  seen  in  a  marsh  near  the  tama- 
rack swamp  early  in  the  spring  of  1901,  and  several  were  seen 
flying  over  Long  Point,  October  23,  1906.  It  is  not  known  to 
breed  here. 

17.     GADWALL 

CHAULELASMUS  STREPERUS   (Linnaeus) 

The  Gadwall  or  Gray  Duck  is  rare  at  Maxinkuckee.  Our  notes 
contain  no  definite  records  of  its  occurrence,  but  it  undoubtedly 
does  occur  here  occasionally  as  a  migrant. 

18.  WIDGEON;  BALDPATE 

MARECA  AMERICANA    (Gmelin) 

Apparently  rare;  several  seen  in  the  lake  near  Farrar's,  April 
7,  1885 ;  none  noted  recently.     A  spring  and  fall  migrant. 

19.  GREEN-WINGED  TEAL 

NETTION  CAROLINENSE    (Gmelin) 

A  spring  and  fall  migrant,  apparently  not  common.  One  ob- 
tained October  31,  1902,  and  several  seen  two  days  later;  a  fine 
plumaged  male  shot  October  22,  1907 ;  length  13  inches,  weight  11 
ounces;  another  (a  female)  shot  October  25,  1907. 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         499 
20.     BLUE-WINGED  TEAL 

QUKRQUEDULA  DISCORS   (Linnieus) 

A  beautiful  little  duck,  but  rare  at  Maxinkuckee.  Our  only 
record  is  of  a  fine  male,  secured  May  11,  1885,  by  Sam.  J.  Hunt- 
singer.     It  measured:     length  16  inches;  wing  7.75. 

21.     SHOVELLER 

SPATULA  CLYPEATA   (Linnaus) 

Apparently  one  of  the  rarest  ducks  of  this  region.  Our  only 
record  is  of  a  female  shot  November  17,  1906. 

22.     PINTAIL 

DAFILA   ACUTA    (Linnaeus) 

The  Pintail  or  Sprig  is  not  common,  and  is  seen  only  as  a  spring 
and  fall  migrant.  On  October  26,  1900,  Mr.  Chadwick  saw  sev- 
eral on  the  lake  and  on  March  2,  1901,  6  were  shot  and  others  were 
seen.  On  December  12,  1904,  one,  apparently  a  young  male,  was 
shot;  this  was  22^  inches  long  and  weighed  1  pound,  12  ounces. 

On  the  Kankakee  marshes  northwest  of  Maxinkuckee  this  duck 
is  more  abundant. 

23.     WOOD  DUCK 

AIX  SPONSA    (Linnaeus) 

This,  the  most  beautiful  of  all  our  ducks,  was  formerly  abund- 
ant as  a  summer  resident  at  Maxinkuckee  and  throughout  Indiana. 
Scarcely  was  there  a  small  lake  or  pond  that  did  not  have  at  least 
one  pair  during  the  breeding  season  and  a  flock  of  a  dozen  or  more 
in  the  fall.  But  now  it  is  very  rare.  Several  were  seen  ]\Iarch 
20,  1901 ;  a  hunter  got  4  on  October  3,  1899 ;  and  one  seen  in  an 
open  pool  January  2,  1901.  Undoubtedly  the  Wood  Duck  is  more 
abundant  on  the  Kankakee,  a  few  miles  west  of  Lake  IMaxinkuckoe. 
than  any  place  else  in  the;  state.  The  heavily  timbered  swamp  land 
along  that  river  furnishes  an  ideal  breeding  ground  for  these  ducks. 
During  a  day  in  October  (the  16th)  1913,  spent  on  the  Kankakee 
the  senior  author  saw  perhaps  a  hundred  examples  of  this  beautiful 
duck. 

This  stretch  of  the  Kankakee  is  the  last  remaining  considerable 
breeding  ground  in  Indiana  not  only  of  the  Wood  Duck  but  of  sev- 
eral other  species  of  birds.  The  region  is  unique  in  its  biological 
interest  and  general  charm  and  should  be  set  aside  as  a  state  park 
or  reservation. 


500         Lake  Maxinktickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

24.     REDHEAD 

MARILA   AMERICANA    (Eyton) 

The  Redhead  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  ducks  at  the  lake. 
Though  a  spring  and  fall  migrant,  we  have  no  spring  records.  We 
have  noted  it  October  4,  9,  12,  24,  25,  27,  28  and  31,  November 
1,  3,  4,  5,  7,  8,  9,  10,  11,  12,  14,  19,  and  30;  and  December  14 
and  29.  They  usually  arrive  from  the  north  early  in  October  and 
are  abundant  until  in  December.  They  are  often  seen  associated 
with  the  little  bluebills,  canvasbacks  and  coots ;  most  often,  per- 
haps, with  the  canvasbacks,  which  it  much  resembles,  but  from 
which  it  can  readily  be  distinguished  even  at  a  distance  by  its  high 
forehead. 

It  is  often  seen  in  Outlet  Bay,  coming  in  near  shore  on  fine 
mornings  and  quiet  afternoons  to  feed  on  the  wild  celery  which 
there  abounds. 

It  is  a  stout,  heavy  bird,  a  good  diver,  usually  not  very  timid, 
and  feeds  chiefly  on  water  vegetation  of  various  kinds,  such  as 
wild  celery,  pondweed,  and  the  like.  As  an  article  of  food  it  is 
scarcely  inferior  to  the  canvasback.  Several  were  weighed  with 
the  following  results :  2  pounds,  9^  ounces ;  2  pounds,  7  ounces ;  1 
pound,  14  ounces;  2  pounds,  6]  ounces;  1  pound,  15]  ounces;  2 
pounds,  3  ounces;  and  2  each  of  2  pounds,  5^  ounces. 

On  November  12,  1906,  one  hunter  got  12,  and  another  got  6. 

25.     CANVASBACK 

MARILA  VALISINERIA   (Wilson) 

The  Canvasback  is  one  of  the  most  abundant  as  well  as  most 
interesting  and  valuable  of  the  many  species  of  ducks  visiting  the 
lake.  A  flock  was  seen  March  24,  1901 ;  one  bird  on  June  10  and 
one  on  July  7,  1901,  evidently  a  cripple  left  behind.  From  early 
October  until  the  lake  freezes  over,  the  Canvasback  is  very  com- 
mon. Our  records  are  most  numerous  in  November,  and  that  is 
doubtless  the  month  of  their  greatest  abundance.  Next  to  the 
little  bluebill  the  Canvasback  visits  the  lake  in  greatest  numbers. 
They  begin  to  appear  in  the  fall  as  early  as  October  25  and  by  the 
middle  of  November  they  have  reached  their  maximum  which  is 
maintained  approximately  for  2  or  3  weeks,  after  which  the  num- 
bers diminish.  A  good  many  remain,  however,  until  compelled  to 
leave  by  the  freezing  over  of  the  lake.  In  1901,  several  remained 
as  late  as  January  9  and  10  when  only  one  small  open  space  was 
left. 

The  Canvasback  is  the  most  unsuspecting  and  unprepared  of 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         501 

the  ducks,  the  most  easily  baffled  by  any  sudden  emergency.  When 
they  first  arrive  in  the  fall  they  are  quite  unsuspicious  and  many 
fall  an  easy  prey  to  the  early  gunners.  Soon,  however,  they  be- 
come m.ore  wary,  but  never  do  they  learn  wisdom  as  do  most  other 
ducks.  More  Canvasbacks  than  any  other  species  were  found 
frozen  fast  in  the  ice  in  January.  When  a  flock  composed  of  sev- 
eral species  was  frightened  the  Canvasbacks  were  usually  the  last 
to  take  flight,  and  even  then  they  rose  not  in  a  definite  decisive  way, 
but  slowly,  hesitatingly,  and  at  a  long  winding  slant.  While  feed- 
ing on  the  lake  the  Canvasbacks  ai-e  most  often  associated  with 
redheads,  little  bluebills  and  coots ;  usually  the  Canvasbacks  and 
redheads  would  be  somewhat  segregated  from  the  coots  and  blue- 
bills.  Favorite  feeding  grounds  are  in  Outlet  Bay,  along  the  east 
side  of  Long  Point,  off  the  Gravelpit,  and  about  the  south  end. 
They  at  first  frequent  those  parts  of  the  lake  where  the  wild  celery 
is  found.  When  it  has  all  gone,  and  they  have  become  somewhat 
more  wild,  they  will  be  found  farther  out  on  the  lake,  particularly 
about  the  Flatiron  and  Weedpatch,  where  the  broad-leaved  pond- 
weeds  abound. 

Opportunity  was  afforded  to  examine  the  stomach  contents  of 
several  Canvasbacks.  Most  stomachs  were  empty  or  nearly  so. 
One  contained  only  a  tapeworm.  Several  of  those  obtained  when 
the  pools  froze  over,  contained  little  or  no  food,  except  fragments  of 
pondweed  leaves.  Those  examined  earlier  in  the  fall  had  been 
feeding  chiefly  on  the  stolons  or  winter-buds  of  Vallisneria.  Those 
examined  later  contained  fragments  of  the  bases  of  the  leaves  of 
Vallisneria  and  some  pondweed.  No  fish  or  other  animal  food  was 
found  and  it  is  not  believed  they  feed  to  any  extent  upon  anything 
except  vegetable  food. 

Three  obtained  December  9,  1901,  were  very  fat;  one  weighed 
4  pounds,  the  other  two  6  pounds.  In  the  fall  of  1902  they  were 
quite  common  and  many  were  killed.  One  hunter,  shooting  from 
a  blind,  November  5,  1911,  got  15.  During  the  season  he  got  12. 
Another  got  51,  and  still  another,  9,  in  the  first  week  of  November, 
1904. 

26.     BIG  BLUEBILL 

MARILA   MAKILA    (Linnaeus) 

The  Big  Bluebill,  Greater  Scaup  Duck,  Scaup  Duck,  oi-  Big 
Blackhead,  is  apparently  not  common.  It  may  be  really  more 
abundant  than  it  appears,  as  it  is  difficult  to  distinguish  it  in  mass 
from  the  little  bluebill.  Our  notes  record  it  on  March  31,  April  1 
and  April  7,  1901 ;  October  31.   1902.  when  3  were  gotten,  and 


502         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

November  1,  1902 ;  and  on  November  9,  1906,  when  a  female  17 
inches  long,  and  weighing  4  pounds,  1^  ounces  was  taken. 

Usually  no  distinction  is  made  between  this  and  the  smaller 
species ;  they  are  both  locally  called  bluebills. 

27.     LITTLE  BLUEBILL 

MARILA  AFFINIS    (Eyton) 

The  Little  Bluebill,  called  in  the  books  Lesser  Scaup  Duck, 
Little  Blackhead  or  little  Raft  Duck,  is  known  at  Maxinkuckee 
simply  as  the  Bluebill.  It  is  the  most  abundant  and,  in  many  re- 
spects, the  most  interesting  species  coming  to  that  lake. 

Our  note-books  contain  records  of  this  species  as  follows : 

1885. — April  7,  the  senior  writer  shot  a  fine  male  in  an  open 
strip  of  water  near  the  Farrar  cottage.  Length,  17^  inches ;  wing, 
8^  ;  tail,  3| ;  tarsus,  1| ;  weight,  24  ounces.  Several  others  were 
seen.  April  18,  a  young  male  in  immature  plumage  was  received 
from  the  lake. 

1899. — October  16,  a  good  many  noted. 

1900. — October  17,  one  seen;  18th,  a  flock  of  12  seen;  20th,  a 
dead  one  found;  21st,  a  flock  on  Lost  Lake;  November  7,  three 
or  4  flocks  seen;  9th,  good  many  in  the  south  end  of  lake,  2  hunters 
got  5  in  the  forenoon ;  found  one  dead  on  shore  at  south  end ;  11th, 
15th,  and  20th,  many ;  hunters  after  them  in  motor  boats ;  found 
one  dead  at  Norris  Inlet  on  20th;  22d,  abundant;  26th,  got  one; 
December  2,  good  many ;  8th,  many,  some  flying  quite  near  Mr. 
Clark  while  he  was  taking  temperatures  at  the  Deep  Hole;  12th, 
plentiful;  13th,  very  many  far  out;  14th,  abundant;  15th,  large 
flock  in  Outlet  Bay ;  16th,  big  flock  on  lake ;  2  were  caught  on  the 
ice ;  19th,  many  on  lake ;  28th,  a  flock  scared  up  from  beach  on  Long 
Point;  29th,  one  got. 

1901. — January  1,  abundant  in  the  open  pool  near  the  Deep 
Hole;  2d,  one  shot  in  north  ice  pool,  and  one  caught  on  the  ice; 
3d,  two  males  and  one  female  in  ice-pool,  eating  small  mollusks ; 
February  7,  one  tried  to  alight  near  the  ice  houses  where  ice  was 
cut.  March  24,  flock  seen  at  south  end.  April  1,  a  hunter  got  3 
females  on  east  side  of  Long  Point;  4th,  many,  some  flying  over; 
5th,  noted ;  6th,  one  gotten ;  8th,  noted ;  9th,  many,  mostly  hugging 
the  west  shore  in  front  of  Shady  Point  both  morning  and  evening; 
10th,  a  large  flock,  mostly  Little  Bluebills,  near  shore  all  day  in 
front  of  Shady  Point;  one  found  dead  at  Norris  Inlet;  11th,  many 
near  shore;  12th,  largest  number  yet  seen  near  shore,  the  whole 
lake  off  east  side  of  Long  Point  nearly  black  with  them ;  one  hunter 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         503 

got  6,  another  1 ;  stomachs  contained  shells  and  pebbles ;  13th, 
hunters  after  them;  15th,  a  wounded  one  at  south  end;  Ifith,  17th, 
and  18th,  some  on  lake,  chased  by  a  launch  ;  19th,  2  Ith,  and  25th,  a 
good  many  scattered  over  the  lake,  some  quacking;  26th,  27th, 
29th,  and  30th,  good  many  except  on  last  two  days.  ]\Iay  2  and  3, 
a  few  noted;  4th,  a  big  flock  seen  flying  southwest,  low  over  the 
lake;  5th  and  6th,  some  seen ;  7th,  quite  a  large  flock  in  Outlet  Bay; 
8th,  9th,  10th  and  11th,  some  noted;  14th,  noted  every  day;  16th 
to  20th,  noted  every  day;  27th  noted;  one  seen  on  shore  on  east 
side;  30th,  a  good  flock  seen;  31st  some  still  on  the  lake,  a  dead 
one  found  on  southwest  shore.  June  15,  one  seen  in  Norris  Inlet 
swimming  and  making  a  sort  of  quacking  noise;  19th,  a  flock  of 

5  seen;  25th,  a  flock  of  5  seen.  July  10,  four  seen,  acted  as  if 
nesting. 

1902. — February  2,  one  seen  in  lake  off  Chadwick's  pier,  where 
the  ice  company  had  cut  off  2  or  3  acres,  leaving  open  water. 
March  9,  plentiful.  June  19,  abundant ;  20th,  a  flock  of  25.  Oc- 
tober 30,  one  adult  and  one  young  killed.  November  1  and  2,  two 
seen  near  Chadwick's  pier.  December  6,  one  got;  12th,  many; 
16th,  caught  two  on  the  ice;  17th  and  18th,  got  two;  21st,  noted. 

1903. — March  9,  noted  as  plentiful.     August,  an  old  bii-d  and 

6  young  still  unable  to  fly  were  noted  at  south  end  of  lake.  Oc- 
tober 15,  abundant ;  many  killed  by  pot  hunters  who  sold  them  at 
6  for  a  dollar. 

1904. — October  10,  two  flocks  seen;  25th,  many  on  the  lake; 
27th,  perhaps  even  more  abundant,  probably  1,000;  saw  at  least 
150  flying  over  at  one  time  in  the  evening;  28th,  still  abundant; 
30th  and  31st,  flocks  seen  flying  and  many  more  on  lake.  Novem- 
ber 2,  some  noted ;  5th,  a  hunter  got  3 ;  6th,  great  many  on  lake ; 
10th,  a  dead  one,  partly  eaten,  found  at  Long  Point,  stomach  con- 
tained white  ball-like  masses  composed  mostly  of  Chara;  14th,  a 
hunter  got  2;  16th,  another  got  2;  17th,  several  seen  flying.  De- 
cember 1,  a  hunter  got  1;  2d,  another  hunter  got  2,  length,  151 
and  16  inches,  weight,  30^  and  28]  ounces,  respectively;  they  had 
been  eating  Vallisneria;  3d,  a  wounded  one  caught  on  Long  Point; 
4th,  noted ;  6th,  one  got  on  ice  near  ice-houses  and  one  found  dead 
near  the  depot;  one  found  dead  at  south  side,  stomach  empty ;  10th, 
one  got;  11th,  large  flock  near  Knapp's  pier;  14th,  2  found  dead; 
15th,  several  shot  and  one  caught  on  ice;  16th,  several  seen,  2  shot; 
23d,  2  or  3  flocks  noted. 

1906. — September  12.  a  few  seen.  October  12,  a  flock  of  about 
20  seen;  November  2,  one  found  dead;  9th.  two  got,  one  measured 
17   inches   and  weighed   19:[  ounces;   10th,   got  two;    12th.   three 


504         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

gotten ;  14th,  got  two,  one  17^  inches  long  and  weighing  2  pounds, 
the  other  154  inches  long  and  weighing  24^  ounces;  15th,  an  im- 
mature bird  found  dead;  one,  probably  a  cripple,  was  seen  from 
time  to  time  all  summer  about  the  lake. 

1907. — October  21,  several  flocks  seen ;  25th,  common,  hunters 
got  two;  November  2,  one  found  dead  on  east  shore. 

1909. — April  23,  this  and  other  ducks  said  to  be  quite  plentiful. 

1913. — Up  to  the  time  of  our  leaving  the  lake  (October  20  and 
November  9),  few,  if  any.  Little  Bluebills  had  returned;  none  was 
actually  observed. 

The  records  given  above  show  that  the  Little  Bluebill  is  one  of 
the  first  ducks  to  appear  in  spring.  It  returns  with  the  first  open 
water  and  by  the  time  the  ice  is  off  the  lake  it  is  usually  present  in 
great  numbers.  Our  notes  record  it  as  early  as  March  9,  and  as 
abundant  in  April.  It  remains  well  into  June,  and  flocks  have  been 
noted  as  late  as  June  25.  Occasionally  a  few  remain  throughout 
the  summer,  but  in  all  probability  most,  if  not  all,  of  these  are 
cripples  which  were  unable  to  resume  the  northern  flight  with 
their  fellows.  Some  of  these  may  mate  and  breed  in  the  marshes 
at  Norris  Inlet  or  about  Lost  Lake.  In  August,  1903,  an  old  bird 
and  6  young,  still  unable  to  fly,  were  seen  at  the  south  end  of  the 
lake.  In  the  fall  of  1906  an  old  nest  with  fragments  of  shells 
about  it,  evidently  duck  eggs  and  believed  to  be  this  species,  was 
found  in  Overmeyer's  woods  near  the  lake. 

In  the  fall  they  begin  to  return  about  the  first  of  October;  in 
1906  a  few  were  seen  September  12.  By  the  middle  or  twentieth 
of  October  they  are  usually  abundant,  but  the  maximum  is  not 
reached  until  early  in  November,  Fully  a  thousand  were  present 
October  27,  1904.  They  remain  until  scarcity  of  food  or  freezing 
up  of  the  lake  compels  them  to  seek  other  feeding  grounds.  At 
times  they  are  so  abundant  as  to  appear  like  a  solid  mass  covering 
considerable  areas  of  the  lake. 

When  unmolested  and  in  calm  weather,  they  usually  stay  not 
far  from  shore  and  in  rather  shallow  water  where  they  feed  upon 
the  wild  celery.  They  mix  quite  freely  with  the  coots  with  which 
they  appear  to  be  on  the  best  of  terms.  They  delight,  perhaps 
more  than  any  other  duck,  to  gather  in  great  flocks,  hence  the  name 
Flocking-fowl  which  Audubon  says  was  in  his  day  applied  to  them 
in  the  lower  Mississippi  valley.  During  fair  days  in  the  fall  they 
may  be  seen  in  great  numbers  near  shore  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee, 
diving  and  feeding  in  shallow  water,  3  to  15  feet  deep,  all  the  time 
keeping  up  rather  low,  subdued  conversations  quite  unlike  the 
quacking  of  the  mallard ;  it  is  more  conversational,  like  that  of  the 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         505 

coots.  At  these  times  they  present  an  interesting  and  attractive 
sight.  The  play  of  colors  when  the  sunshine  glints  on  the  purple- 
black  heads  of  the  males  as  they  bob  up  and  down  on  the  passing 
waves,  makes  them  conspicuous  objects  easily  recognizable  from 
other  ducks.  In  stormy  weather,  or  when  disturbed,  they  move 
farther  out  on  the  lake  or  seek  the  quiet  protected  places.  When 
far  out  on  the  lake  they  often  appear  as  a  long  black  line.  At 
night,  especially  in  foggy  weather,  they  frequently  come  ashore. 

Sometimes  they  remain  in  winter  even  after  the  lake  is  frozen 
entirely  over.  This  was  the  case  in  1904  when  the  lake  froze  sud- 
denly. Then  these  ducks  were  seen  in  considerable  numbers  walk- 
ing about  on  the  ice. 

Six  examples  of  this  duck  that  were  weighed  and  measured  gave 
the  following  data: 


Date 

Sex 

Length  in 
inches 

Weight 

Pounds                        Ounces 

April               7,  1885 
December      2,  1904 
December      2,  1904 

Male 

Male 

Female      

171^ 

154 

16 

17 

ITA 

15J4 

1 
1 
1 
1 
2 
1 

8 
WA 

November     9,  1906 
November   14,  1906 

Female 

3K 
0 

November   14,  1906 

8J^ 

A  good  many  stomachs  of  Little  Bluebills  were  examined.  The 
results  of  these  examinations  and  our  observations  lead  us  to  the 
conclusion  that  their  food  consists  chiefly  of  small  mollusks  (prin- 
cipally Vivipara  contectoides  at  this  lake)  and  vegetation.  The 
stomach  of  one  shot  December  1,  1904,  contained  about  1,000  very 
small  shells,  probably  the  young  of  Vi\'ipara.  While  the  wild  cel- 
ery lasts  they  feed  largely  on  it;  later  they  will  eat  bits  of  Pota- 
mogeton  leaves,  Chara  and  even  Myriophyllum  and  Ceratophyllum. 
We  have  no  evidence  that  they  ever  feed  on  fish. 

The  Little  Bluebill  does  not  rank  with  the  redhead  and  the 
canvasback  as  an  article  of  food.  However,  during  the  early  part 
of  the  fall  when  it  is  feeding  on  the  wild  celery,  it  is  quite  delicious. 


28.     RING-NECKED  DUCK 

MARILA   COLLARIS    (Donovan) 

This  little  duck,  known  variously  as  Ring-billed  Blackhead, 
Marsh  Bluebill,  Ringbill,  and  Ring-necked  Scaup  Duck,  appears  to 
be  rare  at  Maxinkuckee.     The  difficulty  of  distinguishing  it  cer- 


506         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

tainly  from  the  little  bluebill  at  a  distance,  whether  on  the  water 
or  on  the  wing  may,  however,  indicate  it  to  be  less  abundant  than 
it  really  is. 

Our  only  records  are  as  follows :  Several  were  seen  April  6 
and  7,  1885,  and  one  was  obtained  on  each  of  the  following  dates : 
March  21,  1901 ;  November  29,  1902,  4  shot  by  one  hunter;  Novem- 
ber 11,  1904;  November  12,  1904;  and  November  12,  1906.  Noth- 
ing distinctive  was  observed  as  to  its  habits.  It  can  usually  be 
known  from  other  ducks  by  its  broad  bill  and  gray  speculum,  and 
the  orange-brown  ring  around  the  neck  in  the  male ;  the  female  has 
no  collar  and  the  head  and  neck  are  brown. 

29.     GOLDEN-EYE 

CLANGULA  CLANGULA  AMERICANA  Bonaparte 

The  American  Golden-eye  or  Whistler  is  a  rather  common 
spring  and  fall  migrant,  but  never  abundant.  Our  note  books  show 
the  following  records: 

In  1900,  November  15,  a  flock  seen;  20th,  common;  21st,  a 
fine  but  immature  male  shot  in  front  of  Shady  Point,  and  two 
others  (both  females)  got  near  same  place;  found  them  very  good 
eating;  26th,  seen;  28th,  a  flock  seen;  29th,  another  young  male 
shot  in  front  of  Shady  Point.  December  3,  saw  2  or  3,  and  found 
a  dead  female  on  beach  at  south  end  of  lake;  4th,  a  hunter  using 
decoys  got  one  female ;  6th,  noted  a  small  flock  off  Long  Point ;  14th, 
a  small  flock  near  shore ;  28th,  one  seen  flying. 

In  1901,  January  3,  one  found  dead  frozen  in  ice;  19th,  heard 
flying;  March  4,  a  flock  seen;  8th,  a  few  seen;  12th,  noted;  31st, 
noted  oflF  Long  Point,  a  fine  male  shot.  April  11,  one  got;  14th, 
one  seen ;  15th,  one  seen  at  Norris  Inlet. 

In  1903,  March  9,  several  seen. 

In  1904,  October  24,  a  pair  seen  ofl"  the  ice  houses ;  29th,  a  flock 
passed  over,  whistling  loudly.  November  3,  one  found  dead  on 
shore;  length  17  inches. 

In  1906,  November  1.  a  flock  flying  over;  2d,  found  one  dead; 
14th,  noted. 

In  1907,  October  21,  lieard  flying  over;  24th,  saw  four. 

The  most  considei-able  flocks  were  seen  and  heard  in  the  fall, 
but  none  was  noted  in  October,  1913. 

These  ducks  fly  very  swiftly  and  attract  attention  by  the  loud 
whistling  noise  made  by  their  wings.  When  on  the  lake  they  are 
rather  unsuspicious  and  may  often  be  seen  near  shore.  Several 
specimens  were  obtained  at  different  times  by  shooting  from  shore. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         507 

As  a  food  bird  it  is  very  good,  ranking  in  this  respect  with  the  but- 
terball  and  the  bluebill.  It  apparently  feeds  largely  on  vegetation 
and  the  smaller  mollusks. 


30.     BUTTERBALL;  BUFFLE-HEAD 

CHARITONETTA  ALBEOLA  (Linnteus) 

This  pretty  little  duck  is  quite  often  seen  in  small  Hocks  of  5 
to  10,  in  spring,  autumn  and  early  winter.  We  have  the  following 
spring  records : 

In  1885,  April  7,  several  seen  in  south  end  of  the  lake  near  the 
Farrar  cottage.  The  lake  was  then  covered  with  ice  except  a  nar- 
row strip  along  the  south  shore.  In  1901,  March  22,  two  seen; 
28th,  a  small  flock  on  lake;  31st,  several  good  flocks  on  each  lake. 
April  6,  one  shot;  11th,  four  shot,  two  of  them  females;  14th,  a 
pair  noted  off  Shady  Point.  Our  fall  and  winter  records  are  as 
follows :  In  1900,  November  9,  two  or  3  good-sized  flocks  seen ; 
20th,  common,  a  hunter  got  one  male  and  4  females;  26th,  a  flock 
seen  near  shore,  a  hunter  got  a  female  under  the  McSheehey  pier; 
29th,  a  few  seen;  30th,  15  to  20  seen.  December  5,  a  large  flock 
noted  off  Long  Point ;  10th,  some  near  shore  south  of  Shady  Point ; 
14th,  a  few  drakes  in  splendid  plumage;  28th,  one  drake  and  3 
ducks  noted,  uttering  a  strange  quacking  sound  just  before  rising 
to  fly.  In  1901,  January  1,  several  huddled  with  bluebills  and 
coots  in  small  open  pools ;  2d,  several  fine  drakes  in  an  open  pool 
near  the  Weedpatch,  were  first  to  leave  when  approached ;  3d,  one 
found  dead  on  the  ice,  and  one  seen  in  an  open  pool.  December 
16,  one  caught  on  ice.  In  1902,  December  1,  two  got;  2d,  one  se- 
cured; 19th,  one  secured.  In  1904,  October  25,  a  pair  in  south  end 
of  lake.  November  5,  one  seen  off  Long  Point ;  12th,  one  shot ; 
14th,  a  flock  flying;  16th,  a  pair  collected;  19th,  two  seen  on  Lost 
Lake,  a  hunter  got  one  on  Lost  Lake  and  one  at  south  end  of  Lake 
Maxinkuckee.  December  4,  four  noted  east  of  Long  Point ;  5th, 
several  seen  flying;  11th,  8  seen  in  southeast  part  of  lake.  In 
1907,  September  10,  a  small  flock  seen  ;  12th,  4  seen  near  the  ice- 
houses.    November  1,  a  flock  observed  flying;  10th.  one  collected. 

This  species  seems  to  be  most  common  in  November  and  De- 
cember, during  which  months  small  flocks  or  single  individuals 
may  be  seen  on  almost  any  day.  When  on  the  water  they  are  most 
often  seen  singly  or  in  pairs.  They  come  near  shore  to  feed  in 
shallow  water.  Their  food  at  the  lake  appears  to  consist  chiefly 
of  small  mollusks  and  vegetation  and,  to  some  extent,  small  fishes. 

In  the  winter  of  1900-1901,  when  the  lake  was  frozen  over  ex- 


508         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

cept  a  few  small  open  pools,  these  little  ducks  huddled  together 
in  the  pools  along  with  coots  and  other  ducks,  and  one  was  found 
frozen  in  the  ice. 

The  Butterball  deservedly  ranks  high  as  a  food  bird,  especially 
in  the  early  fall  when  it  is  fat. 

31.     OLD-SQUAW 

HARELDA  HYEMALIS   (Linnseiis) 

The  Old-squaw  or  South-southerly  is  a  rare  duck  at  Maxin- 
kuckee. On  December  1,  1900,  about  4  p.m.,  when  crossing  the 
lake  from  the  east  side,  a  flock  of  five  was  seen  flying  almost  directly 
overhead  and  very  low  down  so  that  their  colors  could  be  plainly 
made  out.  In  February,  1895,  Prof.  S.  B.  McCracken  of  Elkhart 
obtained  2  specimens  (both  females)  of  this  duck  near  Burnetts 
Creek,  Carroll  County,  Ind.,  about  30  miles  southwest  of  Lake  Max- 
inkuckee. About  November  18,  1911,  Mr.  S.  S.  Chadwick  shot  a 
fine  male  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  He  says  he  has  seen  this  species 
occasionally  but  never  secured  but  one  specimen. 

32.     EUDDY  DUCK;   WIRETAIL 

ERISMATURA  JAMAICENSIS    (Gmelin) 

This  curious  little  duck  has  been  noted  by  us  at  the  lake  but 
twice  in  spring.  On  March  30  and  31,  1901,  one  was  observed  on 
the  lake  near  the  Long  Point  shore.  In  the  fall,  however,  it  is  not 
at  all  uncommon.  Our  earliest  fall  record  is  October  12  (1906), 
and  our  latest  January  4  (1901). 

From  the  middle  of  October  until  the  freezing  of  the  lake  com- 
pels them  to  leave,  they  may  be  seen  almost  daily.  They  are 
usually  seen  singly,  either  wholly  by  themselves  or  with  a  bunch  of 
coots ;  rarely  are  they  associated  with  other  ducks,  except  in  mid- 
winter when  one  or  more  may  be  found  with  the  miscellaneous  lot 
of  ducks  and  coots  that  come  together  in  the  few  remaining  open 
pools,  when  the  lake  is  nearly  frozen  over.  One  was  seen  sitting 
on  the  ice  on  Lost  Lake  November  16.  When  approached,  it  was 
not  able  to  rise  from  the  smooth  ice  and  fly  away,  but  slipped  along 
on  the  ice  as  best  it  could.  On  January  2  (1901),  one  was  caught 
on  the  ice  near  an  open  pool ;  when  cornered  it  showed  itself  quite 
game  and  fought  with  energy  and  no  small  amount  of  skill. 

Of  all  our  ducks  these  are  the  most  cunning.  If  domesticated 
they  would  make  very  interesting  pets.  They  are  by  no  means 
stupid,  as  some  writers  have  asserted.  They  are  quite  intelligent 
and  alert,   much  more  so  even  than   the  canvasback.     At  Lake 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         509 

Maxinkuckee  this  duck  is  sometimes  called  the  Brown  Teal ;  also 
Dipper  Duck,  probably  on  account  of  its  skill  as  a  diver;  and  as 
Sprigtail,  because  of  its  stiff  tail  feathers ;  a  name,  however,  which 
belongs  properly  to  the  Pintail,  a  very  different  species.  In  Cali- 
fornia it  is  often  called  Wiretail,  which  is  a  much  more  appro- 
priate name. 

They  are  only  moderately  esteemed  as  an  article  of  food,  being 
somewhat  inferior  to  the  whistler  and  the  butterball. 

Of  the  many  stomachs  examined  by  us  the  majority  were 
empty.  In  one  case  the  stomach  contained  a  quantity  of  seeds  of 
some  leguminous  plant,  probably  Lespedeza,  and  some  small  gravel. 
The  round-headed  bush-clover,  Lespedeza  capitata,  is  abundant 
about  this  lake,  and  it  is  not  improbable  these  ducks  come  ashore  at 
timeS'  and  feed  upon  its  seeds.  No  fish  of  any  kind  was  found  in 
their  stomachs. 

Our  definite  date  records  are  as  follows :  In  1900,  October  27, 
one  shot  by  a  hunter  who  called  it  a  "Brown  Teal".  November 
7,  a  flock  seen ;  8th,  several  observed  among  coots  near  shore,  one 
quite  red  and  in  excellent  plumage;  16th,  one  on  ice  on  Lost  Lake; 
28th,  a  young  male  found  dead  on  shore  near  the  Gravelpit.  In 
1901,  January  2,  one  caught  on  the  ice;  3d,  one  wounded  in  pool, 
found  dead  and  frozen  the  next  day.  March  30,  one  seen  near 
shore  at  Shady  Point;  31st,  a  few  noted  on  lake.  In  1904,  Octo- 
ber 25,  a  wounded  one  found  and  another  one  reported ;  November 
13,  a  dead  one  found  south  of  Shady  Point;  length  14  inches; 
weight  15  ounces;  19th,  a  dead  one  found  under  a  telegraph  wire 
near  Arlington ;  stomach  empty.  December  15,  two  seen,  one  col- 
lected. In  1906,  October  12,  a  wounded  one  seen;  16th,  one  shot; 
17th,  found  one  dead;  November  2,  twenty  found  dead  between 
Long  Point  and  Norris  Inlet,  with  them  one  golden-eye,  one  little 
bluebill,  and  a  few  coots ;  5th,  found  seven  dead  between  the  Gravel- 
pit  and  Long  Point;  8th,  found  two  dead  off  Assembly  grounds; 
12th,  found  one  dead;  15th,  another  dead;  18th,  two  found  dead. 
In  1907,  October  25,  several  seen  in  Outlet  Bay.  one  secured. 

It  was  at  first  thought  that  the  ducks  found  dead  had  been  killed 
by  gunners  who  were  at  that  time  quite  active  on  the  lake,  but  an 
examination  of  the  birds  disproved  this  theory,  as  they  showed  no 
wounds  of  any  kind.  Nor  had  they  starved,  as  was  suggested; 
every  one  was  found  to  be  fat  and  in  excellent  physical  condition. 
Nor  did  it  appear  that  any  parasite  had  caused  their  death.  It  is 
true  that  a  few  contained  a  good  many  intestinal  parasites,  par- 
ticularly tapeworms,  but  they  could  scarcely  have  had  anything  to 
do  with  the  death  of  the  birds  which,  as  already  stated,  were  fat 


510         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

and  plump,  in  no  case  emaciated.  Moreover,  if  their  dying  were 
due  to  starvation  or  disease  of  any  kind,  it  is  improbable  so  many 
would  have  died  at  approximately  the  same  time. 

No  reasonable  explanation  of  this  very  unusual  phenomenon 
has  as  yet  been  suggested,  and  it  must,  for  the  present  at  least,  re- 
main an  unsolved  mystery. 

33.     GREATER  SNOW  GOOSE 

CHEN  HYPERBOREUS  NIVALIS    (J.  R.  Forster) 

This  goose  appears  quite  rare  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  The  only 
record  we  have  is  of  10  to  20  seen  by  Mr.  S.  S.  Chadwick,  Novem- 
ber 6,  1902,  They  were  mixed  in  with  a  large  lot  of  Canada  Geese 
which  he  estimated  at  1,200  to  2,000  birds.  They  were  on  the  lake 
all  day  but  all  left  that  night. 

34.     CANADA  GOOSE;  WILD  GOOSE;  HONKER 

BRANTA   CANADENSIS    (Linnaeus) 

Twenty  to  forty  years  ago  Wild  Geese  were  very  abundant  in 
Indiana  during  the  spring  and  fall  migrations.  For  several  days 
in  the  spring,  hundreds  of  flocks  representing  thousands  of  birds 
could  be  seen  wending  their  way  northward.  The  first  flocks  were 
usually  seen  during  the  "February  thaw",  with  an  occasional  one 
in  January,  but  the  great  flight  came  in  March  and  early  April. 
In  the  fall  the  flights  were  even  greater.  They  usually  began  late 
in  October  and  continued  toward  the  last  of  November,  with  an  oc- 
casional belated  flock  in  December.  Although  the  flights  now  are 
as  nothing  compared  with  those  of  two  or  three  decades  ago,  the 
number  of  geese  seen  by  us  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  was  surprisingly 
large.  Because  of  the  popular  intei-est  in  this  fine  bird,  we  give 
our  records  with  considerable  detail. 

In  the  spring  of  1899,  the  Wild  Geese  were  first  noted  on  March 
first  and  several  flocks  were  observed  during  March  and  April.  In 
1901,  a  flock  was  reported  January  22.  Others  were  noted  March 
3,  10,  12,  13,  15,  16,  17,  22,  23,  24,  25,  28  and  29  and  on  April  1,  4, 
6,  7,  8,  11,  14,  and  25.  A  good  many  were  seen  March  3;  two 
flocks  were  noted  on  the  10th ;  on  the  12th  several  flocks,  one  of 
them  quite  noisy,  and  some  of  them  resting  on  the  ice  which  still 
covered  the  lake;  a  flock  reported  on  13th  and  another  on  the  loth 
flying  southwest  and  honking;  on  the  16th  a  flock  alighted  in  the 
lake,  on  the  17th  a  large  flock  was  seen  flying  northwest,  and  on 
the  22d  a  large  noisy  flock  stopped  on  the  lake  but  soon  left,  going 


Lake  Ma.rinlnickee,  Plrifs-ical  and  Biological  Survey         511 

north;  on  the  23cl  a  Hock  was  seen  in  an  open  pool  in  tiic  hike, 
another  on  24th  late  in  the  evening  heard  going  north ;  on  'Joth  a 
flock  seen  on  the  lake,  and  on  29th  several  were  killed.  On  Ai^ril 
1  a  flock  heard  and  another  seen  in  the  lake;  on  the  evening  of  the 
4th  about  100  were  seen  in  the  lake  off  the  Maxinkuckee  road. 
They  moved  slowly  southward  until  near  Fulton's  pier.  Now  and 
then  they  would  flap  their  wings  and  occasionally  a  honk  could 
be  heard.  At  5:40  p.m.  they  all  rose,  honking,  and  flew  south  in 
a  long  east-and-west-line.  On  April  6  (in  the  afternoon),  a  (lock 
of  seven  was  seen  flying  low  eastward  from  the  lake;  on  the  7th 
a  noisy  flock  alighted  in  the  southeast  part  of  lake,  another  flock 
seen  and  heard  on  8th;  on  11th  two  large  flocks,  one  west  of  the 
lake  in  the  morning  flying  about  as  if  desiring  to  stop  and  honking 
a  good  deal,  the  other  in  the  afternoon  east  of  the  lake,  both  finally 
leaving,  going  northeast;  on  14th  a  very  large  flock  seen  lea\ing 
the  lake,  honking  and  going  south;  on  25th  several  heard  both 
morning  and  evening.  In  the  spring  of  1902,  the  first  flock  (of 
10)  was  seen  March  3,  coming  from  the  northwest  and  going  on 
southeast  without  stopping;  on  13th  a  flock  of  20  or  30  on  the  ice, 
leaving  in  the  evening,  going  west ;  on  20th  fully  200  seen  on  the 
lake,  with  many  ducks ;  on  23d  many  geese  and  ducks  on  the  lake ; 
no  more  seen  until  April  2  when  13  were  noted  going  northwest. 

For  1903  we  have  but  one  record,  March  7,  when  several  hun- 
dred were  seen  on  the  ice.  Our  fall  records  are  as  follows:  On 
October  17,  1900,  a  flock  of  8  seen  flying  southwest  and  calling; 
November  7,  about  5  p.  m..  two  large  flocks  (of  50  and  60  each) 
seen  flying  high  across  the  lake  from  northeast  to  southwest  and 
honking  loudly;  about  same  hour  anothei-  and  larger  one  was  seen 
flying  south  across  the  lake;  on  9th,  a  flock  of  5  flew  over,  one  of 
which  was  shot;  on  10th,  a  very  large  flock  seen  going  south  at 
5:30  p.  m. ;  and  on  19th  a  few  were  seen.  Our  only  recoi'd  for  the 
fall  of  1901  is  December  9  when  one  flock  was  seen.  They  were 
evidently  scarce  this  fall.  In  1904  our  first  record  is  for  October 
27  when  a  flock  was  seen  and  anothei-  heard  at  night.  Two  days 
later  another  was  heard  and  seen ;  others  seen  on  October  30  and 
31  and  still  others  on  November  15. 

In  the  fall  of  1907  they  were  unusually  abundant,  from  Octo- 
ber 19,  when  a  flock  of  50  was  seen  flying  south,  to  October  'M 
when  at  least  15  large  flocks  were  noted.  This  was  i)erhai)s  the 
most  remarkable  flight  of  Wild  Geese  that  we  have  evei-  observed 
at  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  The  flocks  were  each  regularly  arranged 
in  systematic  V-shaped  order,  all  were  going  in  a  general  south- 
erly direction  and  with  much  honking.     They  were  rather  common 

33—17618 


512         Lake  Maxinkrickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

in  the  fall  of  1913.  On  October  19  the  first  of  the  season,  a  flock 
of  20,  was  seen.  Another  large  flock  seen  on  22d,  honking  as  they 
flew. 

Usually  the  geese  do  not  stop,  or  if  they  do,  they  do  not  tarry 
long.  Sometimes  they  alight  in  the  open  lake,  or,  when  the  lake  is 
frozen,  they  stop  for  a  few  hours  in  the  open  pools.  At  times  they 
remain  in  the  lake  until  evening  when  they  go  to  nearby  wheat 
fields  where  they  remain  until  morning,  when  they  resume  their 
migration. 

35.     TRUMPETER  SWAN 

OLOR  BUCCINATOR    (Richardson) 

A  flock  of  five  was  seen  on  the  lake  November  19,  1900,  and 
again  the  next  day.  On  March  31,  1901,  a  flock  was  heard  flying 
over  early  in  the  morning.  On  November  11,  1904,  a  flock  of  36 
alighted  in  the  lake  and  remained  three  days,  when  they  left,  going 
southward. 

There  are  few  sights  in  the  bird  world  more  impressive  than 
that  afforded  by  a  flock  of  these  magnificent  birds  whether  a-wing 
or  swimming  on  the  lake.  Their  flight  is  in  a  long  line  much  like 
that  of  geese.  On  a  bright  day  the  great  white  objects  are  almost 
brilliant  in  the  sunlight;  and  even  when  the  sky  is  overcast  still  they 
are  easily  seen  and  are  notable  bodies  against  the  darker  back- 
ground. When  swimming  the  head  and  neck  are  held  in  a  graceful 
curve  and  every  movement  is  with  a  stately  digTiity. 

They  are  quite  alert,  always  on  the  qui  vive.  Upon  the  ap- 
proach of  a  boat  the  necks  are  stretched  to  their  full  length,  and 
the  great  birds  loom  up  immensely  against  the  distant  horizon  or 
background.  To  approach  a  flock  cautiously  and  see  this  sudden 
accession  of  tallness  of  the  whole  white  sciuadron  is  a  sight  worth 
traveling  a  long  way  to  witness,  and  too  fine  and  wonderful  to  spoil 
with  a  gun. 

The  Trumpeter  Swan  breeds  from  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  the 
western  shore  of  Hudson  Bay  and  from  the  Arctic  Ocean  to  about 
latitude  60°.  It  formerly  bred  as  far  south  as  northern  Indiana, 
and  on  the  St.  Clair  flats  in  Michigan.  It  winters  from  southern 
Indiana  to  Texas  and  from  southern  British  Columbia  to  southern 
California. 

The  whistling  swan  {Olor  columhianus) ,  although  occurring  in 
the  Mississippi  Valley  during  its  migrations,  has  not  been  observed 
at  Lake  Maxinkuckee. 

The  swans  feed  chiefly  upon  vegetation  and  small  mollusks  and 
are  not  in  any  way  detrimental  to  fish-life. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         51 


o 


36.     BITTERN 

BOTAURUS  LENTIGINOSUS   (MontaRu) 

This  interesting  bird,  also  known  as  Great  Bittern,  Stake- 
driver,  Thunder-pumper,  and  Indiana  Hen,  is  a  fairly  common 
summer  resident  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  It  arrives  early  in  April 
and  remains  until  about  the  last  of  October.  Our  spring  records 
are  April  15  and  May  2,  1885;  April  14  and  May  1,  1901;  and 
April  23,  1909.  Following  these  dates  it  was  seen  almost  daily. 
In  1899  it  was  obseived  daily  or  whenever  visits  were  made  to 
localities  which  it  frequents,  during  July,  August  and  September, 
and  it  was  frequently  noted  in  October.  In  1900  it  was  seen  as 
late  as  October  28.  In  1903  one  was  noted  September  21.  In 
1906,  a  dozen  or  more  were  seen  September  6  along  Outlet  Bay, 
In  1907  one  or  more  were  noted  October  21  and  28.  And  one  was 
killed  August  31,  1908. 

The  Bittern  is  a  bird  of  the  marshes  and  most  delights  in  those 
bordering  lakes.  At  Maxinkuckee  its  favorite  haunts  are  the  great 
marsh  about  Norris  Inlet  at  the  head  of  the  lake,  the  Scirpus 
patches  off  the  Gravelpit,  the  narrow  strip  of  marsh  fringing 
Outlet  Bay,  and,  most  of  all,  the  splendid  marshy  borders  of  Lost 
Lake  and  the  Outlet  to  below  Walley's.  In  these  situations  Bit- 
terns may  be  seen  any  day  during  the  spring,  summer  and  fall.  It 
may  often  be  seen  stalking  sedately  about  on  the  sedgy  flats  or 
skulking  mysteriously  among  the  tall  Typha  and  other  aquatic 
plants. 

It  doubtless  breeds  at  this  lake,  though  we  have  never  found  a 
nest.  It  does  not  breed  in  colonies  as  do  most  of  the  herons,  and 
its  nest  is  not  easy  to  discover.  It  is  placed  by  preference  in  the 
more  impenetrable  swampy  places  and  on  the  ground  or  a  mass 
of  decaying  vegetation.  The  eggs  are  brownish-drab  or  Isabella 
color,  unspotted. 

37.     LEAST  BITTERN 

IXOBRYCHUS  EXILIS    (Gmclin) 

This  pretty  little  bittern  is  seen  rather  frequently  about  the 
lake  throughout  the  summer.  It  has  been  noted  every  month  from 
April  to  October.  They  doubtless  breed  in  the  patches  of  reeds  and 
cattails  that  border  the  lake,  but  we  have  not  found  any  nests.  The 
birds  are  solitary  and  wholly  quiet,  and  are  rarely  or  no\-er  seen 
except  when  frightened.  Then  they  rise  and  fly  in  a  rather  awk- 
ward manner  for  a  short  distance,  then  drop  among  the  reeds 
where  they  conceal  themselves.     Their  protective  colorati(Mi  serves 


514         Lake  Maxinknckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

them  well;  indeed,  they  are  even  more  difficult  to  discover  than 
the  larger  species.  Following  are  our  records  of  definite  dates  on 
which  we  observed  the  least  bittern  about  Lake  Maxinkuckee : 

1899. — Noted  in  July,  also  on  August  4  and  September  11. 

1901. — May  25,  one  near  the  Outlet;  26th,  one  on  Lost  Lake; 
29th,  one  seen  on  the  flat  at  north  end  of  Lost  Lake ;  30th,  one  near 
the  Outlet ;  20th,  one  at  the  Outlet ;  June  3,  two  near  the  Outlet ; 
20th,  one  at  the  Outlet,  22d,  one  at  the  Inlet. 

1902. — June  24,  remnants  of  a  nest  near  the  water  in  a  clump 
of  grass  and  button-bushes  in  Green's  marsh. 

1903. — September  21,  one  noted. 

1906. — July  30,  one  seen  at  Inlet. 

1907. — September  9,  one  scared  up  in  front  of  Chad  wick's  in 
afternoon,  flew  just  west  of  the  steamboat  slip  where  it  alighted 
in  the  rushes;  14th,  one  on  Chadwick's  lot  in  morning. 

At  the  Goose  Pond,  9  miles  south  of  Terre  Haute,  the  least 
bittern  formerly  nested  in  considerable  numbers.  The  senior 
author  was  wont  to  visit  this  interesting  pond  on  Decoration  Day 
each  year.  Then  the  woods  about  the  pond  were  full  of  migrating 
warblers,  and  the  pond  itself  was  in  its  most  attractive  condition. 
Pond  turtles  and  water  snakes  w^ere  abundant,  resting  on  broken- 
down  patches  of  cattails  and  Scirpus  and  basking  in  the  warm 
sun.  Great  patches  of  white  waterlilies  were  at  their  best,  the 
fragrance  of  the  beautiful  flowers  filling  the  air.  And,  most  inter- 
esting of  all,  the  little  bitterns  were  there  in  abundance  and  the 
nesting  season  was  at  its  height. 

We  are  told  that  this  beautiful  pond  is  no  more.  It  has  been 
ditched  and  drained  and  converted  into  cultivated  fields,  more's  the 
pity.  There  will  now^  be  more  corn  and  cabbage  and  hogs,  but 
less  of  nature  and  beauty  and  the  appreciation  thereof, 

38.     GREAT  BLUE  HERON 

ARDEA  HERODIAS   Linnseus 

Our  definite  dates  are  as  foflows: 

1899. — July  26,  one  seen. 

1900. — July  24,  one  seen  flying  southward  over  Lost  Lake.  A 
Great  Blue  Heron,  probably  this  same  individual,  had  been  seen 
previously  on  several  occasions  by  others.  Messrs.  Young  and 
Knowlton  saw  a  flock  of  14  west  of  the  lake,  August  24,  and  one 
with  a  broken  wing  seen  on  outlet  stream  below  Lost  Lake.  Sep- 
tember 18,  one  seen  below  Lost  Lake;  27th,  one  seen  flying  over 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         515 

Lake  Maxinkuckee.  October  16,  three  seen  on  outlet  bok)\v  Lost 
Lake;  November  14,  one  seen  at  Norris  Inlet. 

1901. — April  2-6,  eight  seen;  May  :U,  two  seen  near  the  outlet 
in  the  morning,  and  one  at  the  south  end  of  the  lake;  June  10, 
one  seen  flying  and  heard  in  evening;  14th,  one  alighted  at  edge 
of  lake  near  Murray's;  17th,  one  at  south  end  of  the  lake;  26th, 
one  on  shore  near  Norris  Inlet. 

1906. — October  8,  9,  and  18th,  one  seen  each  day  about  Lost 
Lake. 

1907. — September  30  and  October  1-3  and  5,  one  noted  about 
Lost  Lake. 

1913. — September  19,  one  seen  flying;  21st,  one  below  Walley's; 
27th,  one  seen ;  October  25,  several  seen  near  Lost  Lake. 

It  may  be  seen  from  these  records  that  the  Great  Blue  Heron 
is  not  a  very  common  bird  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  Rarely  is  more 
than  a  single  individual  seen  at  a  time.  This  is  partly  due  to  the 
solitary  habit  of  the  bird,  but  partly  also  to  the  fact  that  not  many 
visit  this  lake.  An  inspection  of  all  the  marsh  places  about  the 
two  lakes  and  all  the  shore  would  probably  rarely  disclose  more 
than  three  or  four  of  these  magnificent  birds.  This  is.  no  doubt, 
partly  due  to  the  fact  that  there  are  no  suitable  nesting  places 
about  the  lake. 

No  nest  has  been  observed  anywhere  in  this  vicinity.  Just 
where  those  nest  that  do  come  to  the  lake  is  not  known  to  us.  i\Iany 
years  ago  (1883-85)  there  was  a  considerable  heronry  of  this 
species  in  the  northern  part  of  Carroll  County,  near  Idaville,  and 
another  one  of  more  than  a  hundred  nests  in  a  maple  swamp  near 
Cutler,  in  Carroll  County,  about  50  miles  south  ol  Lake  ^Maxin- 
kuckee.  And  a  few  years  earlier  a  few  pairs  nested  each  year  in 
the  tops  of  some  large  cottonwood  trees  near  where  the  senior 
writer  spent  his  boyhood  days. 

39.     GREEN  HERON 

BUTOKIDES    VIRESCENS    (Linnseus) 

This  is  the  most  common  heron  of  the  region.  It  is  found  in  a 
greater  variety  of  places  than  any  other  heron  about  the  lake.  It 
occurs  in  the  wet,  sedgy  plains  as  do  the  two  bitterns;  it  is  also 
found  about  the  edge  of  the  lake.  It  perches  much  mow  frequently 
than  the  other  herons,  and,  like  the  kingfisher,  is  particularly  fond 
of  sitting  on  the  limbs  of  trees  overhanging  the  shore.  When 
frightened,  it  flies  off  with  a  loud  startled  squawk.  It  is  the  noisi- 
est of  our  herons,  and  frequently  gives  vent  to  a  loud  sneeze-like 


516         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

call.  Its  flight  is  heavy  and  awkward,  and  the  method  of  alighting 
on  a  tree  is  ludicrous.  It  drops  its  legs  down  preparatory  to 
alighting  and  leaves  them  dangling  in  a  peculiar  manner  some 
time  before  reaching  the  tree. 

The  birds  usually  come  early  in  the  spring  and  remain  until 
late  in  the  autumn.  They  were  seen  at  various  dates  every  year 
spent  at  the  lake.  They  probably  nest  somewhere  in  the  region, 
but  no  nests  were  found.  They  nest,  generally,  throughout  the 
state,  their  favorite  nesting  places  being  low  dense  woods,  the 
water  beech  being  one  of  their  favorite  trees  in  which  to  nest. 
They  also  nest  in  orchards.  The  nests  are  flat  platforms  built 
loosely  of  coarse  sticks,  and  sometimes  found  in  small  colonies. 
The  young  remain  in  the  nest  till  of  good  size,  and  a  little  before 
they  leave  are  fierce-looking  little  creatures.  Upon  shaking  the 
nest  they  catch  hold  of  the  boughs  with  chin  and  feet,  climbing 
about  somewhat  after  the  manner  of  a  parrot.  The  young  attempt 
to  escape  capture  by  ejecting  the  contents  of  the  crop  upon  the 
would-be  captor.  The  Green  Heron  is  more  tolerant  of  civilization 
than  any  of  the  other  herons  and  is  often  seen  in  orchards  and 
about  farmhouses  and  about  the  lagoons  in  public  parks. 

Our  notebooks  contain  the  following  references  to  the  Green 
Heron : 

1899. — Noted  frequently  during  July  and  August. 

1900.— Two  noted  July  17  and  one  July  18. 

1901. — May  13,  one  seen  at  edge  of  lake  north  of  the  Winfield 
cottage ;  15th,  one  at  south  end  of  lake,  23d,  one  toward  south  end 
of  lake ;  June  8,  one  seen  at  Long  Point ;  10th,  one  heard ;  seen  fre- 
quently from  this  date  on  to  the  end  of  summer. 

1902.— June  19-20,  one  at  Long  Point. 

1904. — November  12,  one  seen  between  Murray's  and  Farrar's. 

1906. — July  30,  several  seen  at  Norris  Inlet;  August  19,  sev- 
eral seen  in  the  dune  region  southwest  of  the  lake. 

1907.— Noted  on  September  9,  12,  22,  24,  25,  and  26,  in  various 
places  about  the  lake. 

1913. — September  3  and  4,  one  seen  at  Long  Point. 

40.     SANDHILL  CRANE 

GRUS  MEXICANA    (Mu'.ler) 

A  pair  were  seen  by  the  senior  writer  on  the  prairie  west  of 
Culver  on  April  6,  1885.  It  is  said  that  they  used  to  be  common 
in  that  region  where  they  were  sought  by  hunters.  None  has 
been  observed  about  the  lake  in  recent  years. 


Lake  Maxinkiiclcee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         517 
41.     VIRGINIA  RAIL 

RALLUS  VIRGINIANIS   Liniu-eus 

Apparently  rare.  Our  only  record  is  of  one  seen  October  1.",, 
1907,  standing  on  a  log  in  a  small  pond  west  of  the  railroad  track. 
It  walked  along  skulkingiy,  apparently  disliking  to  get  in  the  water 
.  which  it  finally  did,  however,  and  disappeared  in  the  rushes. 

The  Virginia  Rail  pi-obably  breeds  at  the  lake,  but  we  have 
never  found  its  nest  there.  The  nest  should  be  looked  for  among 
tufts  of  reeds  or  grasses  in  or  close  to  shallow  water.  It  is  usually 
composed  of  dead  vegetation  and  is  rather  compactly  built.  The 
eggs  are  cream  or  buff^',  sparsely  spotted  with  reddish-brown  and 
obscure  lilac.  They  usually  number  from  6  to  12  and  measure 
about  1.25  X  .92  inches. 

42.     CAROLINA  RAIL;  SORA 

PORZANA  CAROLINA   (L,innaus) 

The  Sora  is  probably  a  common  summer  resident  in  the  tall 
grasses  and  sedges  along  the  Outlet  and  about  Norris  Inlet.  They 
are  not  often  seen,  as  they  almost  never  fly,  even  when  chased, 
but  they  spend  their  time  skulking  through  the  grass.  They  are 
very  noisy,  particularly  when  frightened,  and  one  individual  can 
give  the  impression  of  a  whole  swamp  full  of  them.  In  1901  the 
first  was  seen  April  28,  and  they  were  heard  or  seen  ciuite  fre- 
quently from  that  time  on,  chiefly  in  Green's  marsh,  alor^g  the 
Outlet,  or  in  the  adjacent  marsh.  On  May  31,  1901,  a  nest  with  10 
eggs  was  found  in  the  Norris  Inlet  marsh.  About  June  6,  after  a 
heavy  storm,  a  small  downy  young,  much  like  a  small  chicken,  was 
found  dead  on  Long  Point.  On  June  8,  an  old  bird  was  seen  lead- 
ing her  young  along  the  south  shore  of  Outlet  Bay,  very  much  like 
a  hen  leads  her  brood.  One  seen  by  the  Outlet  July  24,  190(i. 
was  quite  tame  and  sufl"ej-ed  us  to  approach  within  about  six 
feet  of  it  when  it  skulked  away  through  the  sedges.  Another 
was  seen  on  the  same  day,  which  came  squawking  down  to  the 
water's  edge  and  really  appeared  to  be  swimming  in  the  shallow 
water.  The  latest  date  on  which  we  have  noted  this  rail  at  Maxin- 
kuckee  was  December  11,  1900,  when  one  was  seen  at  Norris  Inlet 
marsh. 

The  nest  of  the  Carolina  Rail  is  poorly  constructed  of  grass  and 
weeds,  placed  on  the  ground  in  a  tussock  of  grass  on  boggy  ground 
where  there  is  a  good  growth  of  taller  grass  or  weeds.  The  eggs 
are  dark  cream  or  drab  with  reddish-brown  spots,  most  numei-ous 
at  the  larger  end.     They  measui-e  about  1.2(ix0.9()  inches. 


518         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

43.     YELLOW  RAIL 

COTURNICOPS  NOVEBORACENSIS  (Gmelin) 

Apparently  rare,  although  from  the  habit  of  these  birds  remain- 
ing concealed  in  the  tall  sedges,  it  is  difficult  to  say  how  common  it 
really  is.  The  only  specimen  seen  by  us  was  brought  in  by  a 
house  cat  March  3,  1901,  and  was  caught  in  Green's  marsh. 

The  finding  of  this  beautiful  rail  in  northern  Indiana  and  at 
so  early  a  date  is  of  especial  interest. 

44.     FLOEIDA  GALLINULE 

GALLINULA    GALEATA    (Lichtenstein) 

This  bird  seems  to  be  a  rare  migrant,  or  perhaps  summer  resi- 
dent. The  only  record  is  of  one  seen  in  the  flat  along  the  Outlet 
west  of  the  railroad  May  7,  1901.  These  birds  skulk  through  the 
tall  grasses  much  as  the  rails  do  and  are  probably  less  rare  than 
records  indicate. 

This  bird  is  known  to  breed  in  the  State.  A  nest  with  five  well 
incubated  eggs  was  found  May  31,  1890,  at  the  Goose  Pond,  9  miles 
south  of  Terre  Haute.  It  was  placed  about  6  inches  above  the 
water  on  a  pile  of  broken  stems  and  leaves  of  Green  Arrow-arum 
{Peltayidra  virginica) ,  in  a  bunch  of  that  plant.  The  eggs  measure 
about  1.81  X  1.22  inches  and  are  creamy  or  brownish  buff"  in  color, 
rather  thickly  spotted  and  blotched  with  brown  and  umber. 

45.     COOT;   MUD  HEN 

FULICA  AMERICANA  Gmelin 

The  Coot  or  Mud  Hen  is  by  far  the  most  abundant  of  the  water 
fowl  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  After  it  come  the  little  bluebill,  can- 
vasback,  redhead,  mallard,  butterball,  ruddy  duck,  merganser,  and 
whistler,  about  in  the  order  named.  The  Coot  is  not  only  the  most 
abundant  species,  but  it  is  in  many  respects  the  most  conspicuous 
and  most  interesting.  Because  of  these  facts,  and  the  further 
fact  that  it  is  economically  the  most  important  species  of  the 
water  birds  that  frequent  this  lake,  it  seems  worth  while  to  give 
our  records  of  its  presence  in  some  detail.  This  we  will  do  for 
each  of  the  years  in  which  we  made  observations. 

1885. — Our  only  observations  in  1885  were  made  on  April  6 
and  7  when  the  senior  author  made  a  brief  visit  to  the  lake.  The 
ice  was  still  on  the  lake,  the  only  open  water  being  a  narrow  strip 
along  the  south  shore.  In  this  strip  there  were  perhaps  a  hundred 
Coots. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         51*J 

1899. — A  few  were  noted  in  August  but  unfortunately  the  exact 
dates  were  not  recorded.  September  21,  beginning  to  ari-ive;  22d, 
first  large  flock,  about  100,  seen,  three  killed;  28th,  increasing  iPi 
abundance;  29th,  a  groat  many  came  last  night,  about  500  in  oin 
flock  seen  oft"  Shady  Point  this  morning;  30th,  very  ainmdant,  jna)i\ 
shot.  October  1,  abundant  and  becoming  wildei-;  2d  and  .'ird. 
abundant;  4th,  abundant,  close  in  shore,  the  weather  being  fine  and 
favorable;  5th,  abundant,  gunners  out  early,  killing  several;  121h, 
less  plentiful;  16th,  some  noted.     November  1,  one  hunter  got  11. 

1900. — September  16.  saw  several,  the  first  of  the  season,  near 
Shady  Point;  they  doubtless  came  last  night;  17th,  several  seen; 
they  seem  quite  tame,  probably  young  birds;  18th,  a  few  noted; 
22d,  one  near  Shady  Point  and  about  200  reported  in  south  end  of 
lake  in  afternoon ;  a  gunner  got  4 ;  2ord,  several  seen ;  26th,  about 
4  p.  m.  A  great  many  seen  east  of  the  Deep  Hole;  as  they  flew,  six 
distinct  flocks  totaling  194  birds  were  observed,  although  only  a 
small  proportion  left  the  water;  28th,  many  on  east  side  of  lake 
at  4  p.  m.;  30th.  many  off  the  Gravelpit.  October  1,  pot-hunters 
in  motor  boat  bombarding  the  Coots  all  afternoon ;  2d,  on  both 
lakes;  5th,  noted;  8th,  abundant;  10th,  many;  12th,  common;  13th, 
several  flocks  on  west  side  and  a  good  deal  of  shooting;  17th,  saw 
300  to  400;  18th,  very  numerous  in  afternoon  in  front  of  Shady 
Point;  21st,  pot-hunters  in  launches  pursuing  coots  and  ducks; 
24th,  noted ;  25th,  many  and  very  noisy ;  26th,  one  hunter  got  12 ; 
27th,  another  hunter  got  34;  28th,  one  found  dead.  November 
5,  many  seen;  7th,  about  1,000  a  short  distance  off  Shady  Point, 
a  few  horned  grebes  among  them ;  8th,  abundant  in  front  of  Shad\' 
Point,  from  which  they  were  scared  by  a  passing  train  at  noon ; 
three  inches  of  snow;  Coots  most  abundant,  then  little  bluebills, 
redheads,  ruddy  ducks  and  helldivers, — no  sprigtails ;  in  the  after- 
noon, while  a  strong  wind  was  blowing  from  the  northwest  and 
some  snow  was  falling,  the  coots  and  ducks  came  in  near  shore, 
the  coots  and  a  few  helldivers  nearest,  while  the  ducks  remained 
out  along  the  line  where  the  4nore  quiet  water  protected  by  Long 
Point  from  the  northwest  wind  joined  the  unprotected  portion; 
9th,  in  a  trip  along  the  shore  from  Long  Point  to  Norris  Inlet  a 
great  many  coots  were  observed,  all  pretty  well  out  from  shore: 
two  hunters  in  the  foi-enoon  got  7  coots,  5  little  bluebills,  and  one 
redhead,  while  two  others  got  36  coots  and  ducks;  lOth,  one  hunter 
got  6  coots,  2  others  got  50,  and  2  other  pot-hunters  in  a  launch 
bombarded  the  coots  and  ducks  all  afternoon  until  dark:  11th  and 
12th,  many  on  lake;  14th,  two  pot-hunters  in  a  launch  got  12  coots, 


520         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

one  little  bluebiil,  and  one  helldiver;  10th-15th,  many  off  Shady 
Point  and  Arlington ;  15th,  two  hunters  got  2  each ;  the  coots  came 
in  near  shore  in  the  forenoon;  18th,  noted;  19th,  many  on  lake; 
20th,  many  on  lake,  found  3  dead;  21st,  not  so  numerous  near 
shore,  but  many  far  out ;  22d,  still  abundant ;  a  good  deal  of  shoot- 
ing; 23d,  many  coots  and  ducks,  mostly  well  toward  east  side;  much 
shooting  all  day ;  26th,  still  abundant  but  mostly  far  out ;  27th,  com- 
mon ;  28th,  common,  very  noisy  in  morning ;  29th,  much  less  abund- 
ant; 30th,  noted.  December  1,  2,  3,  4,  and  5,  good  many  noted  each 
day ;  6th,  today  and  yesterday  in  a  thick  flock  not  far  from  Outlet 
busy  diving  and  seeming  to  find  a  good  deal  to  eat;  feeding 
voraciously  in  the  forenoon ;  often  one  comes  up  with  a  bit  of  food 
and  another  grabs  it;  they  were  somewhat  noisy  and  kept  pretty 
well  out  of  range;  8th  to  15th,  noted  as  plentiful  each  day;  one 
hunter  got  170,  anothei'  got  a  large  number,  one  man  on  skates 
caught  10  on  the  ice;  a  large  number,  perhaps  400  to  500,  were 
on  the  ice  and  many  persons  participated  in  the  slaughter;  17th, 
still  a  good  many ;  18th.  only  a  few  left ;  one  man  got  27  coots  and 
several  ducks,  catching  most  of  them  on  the  ice;  found  10  dead 
on  the  ice ;  many  people  out  picking  up  dead  birds  and  those  frozen 
in  the  ice;  19th,  a  great  many  have  been  killed,  not  many  left; 
23d,  a  few  off  Knapp's  pier ;  27th,  none  seen  for  several  days ; 
28th,  a  few  seen  flying  off  Long  Point. 

1901. — January  1,  a  good  many  coots,  together  with  butter- 
balls  and  little  bluebills  in  a  small  open  pool;  2d,  caught  one  on 
the  ice;  they  can  run  swiftly  on  quite  slippery  ice,  flapping  their 
wings  to  help  them;  many  in  a  pool  in  south  end  of  lake;  when 
watched  or  approached,  they  get  out  on  the  ice  ready  to  run ;  3d, 
four  in  pool  near  the  Weedpatch ;  when  diving  for  food  they  remain 
under  9  to  16  seconds ;  4th,  one  still  in  the  pool  after  all  but  can- 
vasbacks  have  left ;  5th,  two  seen ;  7th,  two  seen,  one  dead  at  the 
pool ;  8th,  9th,  and  10th.  one  or  more  noted  in  the  pool.  March 
24,  and  29,  several  seen ;  31st,  one  seen  in  north  end  of  Lost  Lake 
and  one  seen  flying  south  of  Shady  Point.  April  1,  one  at  north 
end  of  Lost  Lake;  2d,  two  in  Lost  Lake;  3d  and  4th,  three  near 
the  Deep  Hole;  5th,  one  at  north  end  of  Lost  Lake;  6th,  three  in 
north  end  of  Lost  Lake ;  three  killed  by  a  hunter ;  7th,  fifty  or  more 
near  the  south  end  east  of  Farrar's ;  a  sick  one  found,  died  soon ; 
10th,  a  good  flock  near  the  Inlet ;  one  found  dead ;  15th,  a  flock  near 
the  Inlet;  one  found  dead.  May  16,  a  few  seen.  December  9, 
common. 

1902. — October  19,  many  on  the  lake  and  feeding  near  the 
shore;  many  in  Outlet  Bay  and  another  flock  east  of  Long  Point; 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         521 

21st,  many,  three  shot;  P>lst,  one  shot.  Novembei-  2.  aljundaiil. 
especially  south  of  Arlington;  od,  many  in  south  pail  ol"  lake.  De- 
cember 1,  three  shot;  2d,  one  killed;  17th,  four  got. 

1903.— September  21,  fifty  to  100  seen. 

1904. — October  20,  several  flocks  seen;  one  shot  in  Outlet  IJay; 
21st,  many  noted,  in  straight  east-and-west  line;  2:]d,  noted;  25th, 
about  2,500  in  Outlet  Bay,  not  fewer  than  10,000  on  entire  lake; 
one  flock  of  236  counted  near  Outlet  early  in  the  morning;  some 
shooting,  perhaps  200  killed ;  remains  of  about  100  noted  at  Green 
boathouse  near  Norris  Inlet;  26th,  apparently  as  many  as  yester- 
day, many  near  shore  at  noon  in  Outlet  Bay;  27th,  a  good  many  in 
Outlet  Bay ;  some  shot  near  ice-houses ;  one  found  dead  on  north 
shore;  28th,  many  on  lake,  appearing  much  frightened,  scattering 
in  all  directions  even  when  a  muskrat  swims  near  them ;  feeding 
and  diving  busily;  some  redheads  among  them;  two  dead  coots 
found ;  29th,  many  in  Outlet  Bay,  quite  near  shore,  others  well 
scattered  over  the  lake;  stomachs  of  three  examined  contained  bits 
of  Chara,  Ceratophyllum,  and  small  Potamogetons ;  30th,  a  good 
many,  well  scattered;  31st,  many,  but  not  so  much  crowded  in 
Outlet  Bay,  better  scattered  over  the  lake.  November  1,  com- 
mon, three  hunters  got  103 ;  2d,  one  hunter  got  9 ;  two  found  dead ; 
3d,  a  good  many  scattered  over  the  lake,  a  few  near  shore  at  Long 
Point  in  the  morning;  two  found  dead;  5th,  many  on  lake,  a  good 
many  near  Long  Point  and  west  shore ;  6th,  many  on  lake,  some 
near  shore;  7th,  common;  8th,  three  found  dead;  9th,  a  number 
very  near  shore  near  Chadwick's  pier,  wading  in  shallow  water, 
3  canvasbacks  among  them ;  many  coots  scattered  over  the  lake, 
with  several  canvasbacks  and  bluebills;  one  dead  coot  found  on 
south  shore  of  Outlet  Bay;  10th,  good  many  near  shore  in  Outlet 
Bay  and  east  of  Long  Point;  much  shooting;  11th,  a  great  maii\-. 
well  scattered;  in  morning  some  near  west  shore;  a  good  deal  •>!' 
shooting;  two  boys  on  Long  Point  got  6  in  morning  and  17  in  after- 
noon; 12th,  duck  hunters  shot  several  coots  by  accident  (sic), 
not  even  picking  them  up ;  13th,  some  in  Outlet  Bay  and  many 
elsewhere;  near  shore  in  mid-forenoon,  some  actually  walking 
along  shore;  two  seen  appropriating  food  canvasbacks  brought  up; 
14th,  many;  15th,  a  good  many  noted,  well  scattered;  one  boy  g(H 
6  in  morning;  16th,  as  numerous  as  yesterday;  one  hunter  at  Long 
Point  got  3 ;  17th  and  ISth,  a  good  number  scattered  over  the  lake ; 
19th,  pretty  abundant,  scattered  over  Outlet  Bay  and  entire  lake; 
near  shore  at  Arlington  in  morning,  some  calling;  good  many  killed 
during  the  day;  20th,  still  abundant;  21st,  abundant,  some  near 
Knapp's  pier  in  moi-ning;  22d,  same  conditions  as  yestei-day;  2.'>(1 


522         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

to  25th,  well  scattered ;  26th  and  27th,  less  abundant  and  well  scat- 
tered ;  28th,  rather  plentiful  but  well  scattered ;  some  near  Knapp's 
pier,  December  2  and  3,  quite  a  number  scattered  over  entire 
lake,  some  in  Outlet  Bay;  4th  to  8th,  quite  a  number  in  Outlet  Bay 
and  elsewhere  in  lake;  9th,  apparently  not  so  many;  10th,  still 
common;  11th,  a  few  in  Outlet  Bay,  a  good  many  on  main  lake; 
one  dead  at  Inlet  eaten  by  muskrats ;  12th,  common ;  13th,  in  long 
rows  in  open  places;  14th,  not  so  many  in  the  few  open  places; 
15th,  a  good  many  in  pools  and  on  the  ice;  many  shot  and  let  lie; 
16th,  a  few  in  a  round  open  pool ;  3  or  4  shot  off  Farrar's,  the  rest 
scattering  over  the  lake ;  17th,  two  scared  up  from  the  round  pool. 

1905. — January  1,  two  seen  in  pool, 

1906. — September  9,  a  flock  of  5  seen  at  south  end  of  the  lake, 
the  first  of  the  season ;  after  this  date  they  gradually  increased  in 
number,  October  5,  one  found  dead ;  6th,  rather  large  flocks  now, 
gunners  busy  in  morning;  7th,  a  dead  one  found;  9th,  a  hunter  got 
4;  10th,  much  shooting;  11th,  much  shooting;  two  boys  got  14; 
one  found  dead;  12th,  many  on  lake;  hunters  got  good  many; 
13th,  a  flock  off  Knapp's  pier;  much  shooting,  even  after  sunset; 
15th,  heard  strange  cackling  notes,  believed  to  be  made  by  coots; 
16th,  considerable  shooting;  18th,  two  found  dead;  28th  to  30th, 
many;  two  hunters  got  10  on  30th  and  6  were  found  dead;  31st, 
good  many  near  shore ;  one  man  got  6,  November  2,  several  found 
dead  on  shore ;  3d,  noted ;  5th,  found  5  dead  on  east  side ;  8th,  seen ; 
10th,  got  one;  11th,  seen;  12th,  got  2;  13th,  a  good  many  noted; 
15th,  a  big  flock  at  south  end. 

1907. — September  8,  five  seen  in  forenoon  well  out  toward 
middle  of  lake;  seen  again  in  afternoon;  10th,  about  200  arrived 
last  night;  12th,  about  200  to  300  seen  near  the  Weedpatch,  45  in 
one  flock ;  13th,  about  200  in  two  flocks  at  south  end ;  20th,  a  flock 
of  100  or  more  east  of  Long  Point;  reported  as  common  in  the 
other  parts  of  the  lake;  21st,  a  man  got  16,  crippling  3  others; 
22d,  a  flock  of  about  500  off  Long  Point  in  morning ;  quite  a  num- 
ber in  many  detached  flocks,  one  of  about  242  near  shore  between 
Green's  and  Murray's;  some  shooting;  one  dead  by  Green's  pier; 
23d,  noted;  24th,  noted  off  Long  Point  early  in  morning,  perhaps 
500  or  more ;  those  near  shore  allowed  near  approach ;  some  shoot- 
ing; 25th,  many  large  flocks  off  Long  Point,  400  to  500  feet  off 
shore,  rather  wary,  swimming  rapidly ;  26th,  a  few  flocks  east  of 
Long  Point,  500  to  1,000  feet  out;  not  so  many  as  yesterday;  quite 
a  number  in  Outlet  Bay;  two  dead  near  Norris  Inlet;  27th,  a  flock 
of  about  50  swimming  northwest  about  1,000  feet  off  Chadwick's 
pier  early  in  the  morning ;  no  others  seen  early ;  do  not  seem  to  be 


Lake  Maxmkuckce,  Phi/fiiral  and  Iliolofjical  Survey         523 

feeding  much;  28th,  a  few  off  Chadwick's  piiT  in  OulkL  liay;  2i)th, 
a  number  of  large  flocks  off  Murray's;  301h  a  good  many  (locks 
noted ;  a  good  deal  of  shooting  even  before  sunrise  and  after  sun- 
set. October  1,  a  few  seen  in  morning  off  Murray's,  also  in  Out- 
let Bay,  where  there  was  some  shooting;  one  seen  in  Lost  Lake, 
busy  feeding;  2d,  a  good  many,  especially  in  Outlet  Bay  and  off 
Murray's,  some  shooting;  od,  some  in  Outlet  Bay  and  some  shoot- 
ing early  in  morning;  4th,  some  off  Murray's  and  in  Outlet  Bay, 
two  men  got  17 ;  5th,  thousands  present,  most  abundant  off  Arling- 
ton, quite  tame;  6th,  abundant;  7th,  many,  especially  ofl'  Murray's; 
8th,  many  near  shore,  feeding;  one  hunter  got  3;  one  dead  near 
ice-houses ;  busy  feeding  off  Merchants'  pier  at  a  Vallisneria  patch  ; 
9th,  a  good  many  on  lake,  busy  diving  and  feeding;  they  are  more 
frightened  by  passing  train  than  by  hunters ;  10th,  abundant, 
rather  near  shore;  good  deal  shooting;  one  hunter  got  10;  11th, 
much  shooting,  one  hunter  had  10 ;  saw  wounded  one  on  Lost  Lake ; 
12th,  much  shooting ;  coots  pretty  well  scattered  but  feeding,  keep- 
ing near  shore;  a  few  in  north  end  of  Lost  Lake;  13th,  many  but 
well  scattered,  a  few  shot;  14th,  much  shooting;  some  in  Lost 
Lake;  15th,  many  feeding  very  near  shore,  a  few  ducks  among 
them ;  much  shooting  at  south  part  of  lake,  hunters  got  over  125 ; 
16th,  abundant,  much  scattered,  much  shooting;  several  dead  ones 
found;  17th,  many,  scattered;  18th  and  19th,  a  good  many,  con- 
siderable shooting;  21st,  many,  much  shooting;  22d,  well  scattered, 
some  near  shore  in  Outlet  Bay  and  off  Long  Point;  one  man  got 
3;  27th  and  28th,  abundant  in  Outlet  Bay;  31st,  abundant  and 
wild,  2  men  got  5.  November  1,  abundant,  one  man  got  2;  1th, 
common  near  Chadwick's  pier;  5th  and  6th,  good  many  near  shore. 

1908. — September  6,  first  ones  arrived  last  night;  3  seen  on 
Lost  Lake,  quite  tame;  in  afternoon  saw  some  off  Long  Point. 

1909. — April  23,  Mr.  Chadwick  reported  the  coots  have  been 
rather  plentiful  this  spring, 

1913. — September  13,  first  noted;  two  seen  in  morning  in  Out- 
let Bay  and  40  later  in  the  day;  14th,  several,  perhaps  50,  in  Out- 
let Bay  and  near  Norris  Inlet;  15th  and  17th,  noted;  21st.  many, 
four  big  flocks;  23d,  a  large  flock  below  Green's  pier,  diving  and 
feeding;  24th,  in  big  flocks;  25th,  large  flocks  in  a  long  i-ow  below 
Arlington;  26th,  in  large  flocks,  some  shooting;  27th.  probably 
many  on  lake,  but  only  a  few  near  Long  Point;  28th  and  29th, 
many  off  Long  Point  and  elsewhere  along  west  side;  30th,  noted. 
October  1  to  3,  common ;  4th,  many ;  gunners  after  them  by  6  a.  m. : 
5th,  a  fair  flock  noted;  6th,  many  and  much  shooting;  Sth  to  12th, 
noted;  13th,  good  deal  shooting,  some  hunters  got  12;  14th,  a  few 


524         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

seen ;  loth,  a  larg^e  flock  seen ;  16th  to  26th,  common,  and  some 
hunting ;  27th,  abundant ;  28th,  many ;  29th,  plentiful ;  30th,  abund- 
ant and  a  good  deal  of  shooting.     November  1,  common. 

An  examination  of  the  above  detailed  data  shows  that  the  coots 
appear  in  the  spring  very  soon  after  the  ice  goes  off  and  that  they 
remain  until  about  the  last  of  April  when  they  leave  for  further 
north.  They  usually  appear  about  the  last  days  of  April  and  re- 
main approximately  one  month.  In  the  fall  they  make  their  ap- 
pearance usually  in  the  first  days  of  September.  Occasionally  a 
few  may  be  seen  in  August,  but  they  generally  appear  between  the 
6th  and  15th  of  September.  By  the  last  of  September  they  are 
present  in  large  numbers  and  remain  so  until  the  lake  freezes  over 
or  until  persecution  by  the  gunners  drives  them  away. 

On  October  25,  1904,  the  total  number  on  the  lake  was  esti- 
mated at  10,000.  In  the  winter  of  1900-1901,  several  remained 
until  only  one  small  pool  was  left  open.  The  last  was  seen  Janu- 
ary 10. 

The  coots  always  migrate  at  night ;  one  never  sees  flocks  either 
arriving  or  departing,  or  rarely  sees  them  flying  except  when  they 
have  been  scared  up.  When  flying  they  do  not  rise  directly  from 
the  water  like  a  duck  but  at  a  low  angle  or  incline,  their  feet  work- 
ing frantically,  as  do  their  wings,  as  they  rise  out  of  the  water, 
striking  and  kicking  the  water  for  some  distance  until  they  have 
got  too  high  to  touch  it. 

They  frequently  have  the  curious  and  foolish  habit  of  rising  out 
of  the  water  and  flying  close  by  the  boat  which  has  disturbed  them. 

They  are,  at  Maxinkuckee,  as  thoroughly  a  water  bird  as  any 
species  of  duck  with  the  one  exception  already  mentioned.  We 
never  saw  them  walking  on  the  shore  as  mentioned  by  Cooper,  but 
observed  that  they  might  be  found  in  any  and  all  parts  of  the  lake, 
though  they  were  most  apt  to  occur  in  large  numbers  nearer  shore 
than  most  other  water  birds.  The  helldiver  and  grebes,  as  a  rule, 
came  somewhat  nearer  shore  than  the  coots;  and  small  flocks  of 
butterballs  and  whistlers  and  solitary  ruddy  ducks  were  disposed 
to  stay  near  shore.  Bluebills  would  usually  be  a  little  farther  from 
the  shore  than  the  coots,  while  the  redheads,  mallards,  and  canvas- 
backs  would  be  still  farther  out.  However,  it  often  happened  that 
nearly  all,  or  quite  all,  of  these  species  would  be  mixed  together 
in  a  single  flock,  the  coots  and  bluebills  constituting  the  shore  side 
of  the  miscellaneous  group. 

When  the  coots  first  arrive  in  numbers  in  the  fall  they  are  not 
wild,  but  quite  tame  and  unsuspicious,  frequently  coming  near  the 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


525 


shore.  One  of  their  favorite  feeding  gTounds  is  off  ArUngton  sta- 
tion; another  is  in  Outlet  Bay  where  they  can  be  easily  observed 
from  the  Chadwick  Hotel.  In  each  of  these  places  they  remained 
day  and  night  unless  disturbed,  or  when  those  parts  of  the  lake 
were  made  rough  by  winds,  when  they  would  fly  to  some  protected 
corner  of  the  lake. 

The  depth  of  the  water  over  these  feeding  grounds  varied  from 
4  to  25  feet,  and  the  bottom  everywhere  was  well  covered  with 
various  species  of  Potamogeton,  Myriophyllum,  Nitella,  Tolypella, 
Vallisneria,  Naias,  Chara,  and  other  kinds  of  plants.  Chara  and 
Nitella  grew  in  the  more  shallow  water,  and  Tolypella  in  the  deep- 
est, w^hile  the  tapegrass  or  wild  celery  {Vallisneria  spiralis)  grows 
in  all  depths  from  2  to  24  feet. 

Watching  the  coots  from  shore  with  a  pair  of  good  field-glasses 
was  an  extremely  fascinating  pastime.  There  is,  of  course,  no 
doubt  about  the  Coot's  ability  to  swim  well.  This  they  do  quite  as 
well  and  as  gracefully  as  most  ducks. 

They  are  also  very  noisy  or  loquacious,  keeping  up  their  calls 
and  conversations  during  all  hours  of  the  day  and  night.  They  are 
particularly  noisy  w4ien  feeding.  In  the  spring  they  have  a  pecul- 
iar call  much  resembling  that  of  the  cuckoo  or  raincrow. 

Aiid  contrary  to  some  observers  they  are  expert  divers.  They 
dive  habitually  and  regularly  when  feeding,  with  the  greatest  ease 
and  grace,  also  when  wounded,  to  escape  their  pursuer.  The  Coot 
dives  with  greater  abruptness  than  any  duck  we  have  observed. 
The  body  turns  very  quickly  and  is  usually  in  a  nearly  vertical 
position  before  entirely  submerged.  There  is,  of  course,  great  ir- 
regularity in  the  frequency  of  their  diving.  The  character  of  the 
weather,  whether  they  are  disturbed  or  not,  the  success  of  their 
dives,  and  the  extent  of  their  hunger,  are  factors  determining  the 
frequency.  Ordinarily,  however,  one  dive  follows  another  very 
quickly,  so  that  when  w^atching  a  flock  of  a  dozen  or  more,  one  or 
more  individuals  can  be  seen  going  down  and  others  emerging  at 
any  moment. 

The  maximum  deptii  to  which  they  can  descend  was  not  defi- 
nitely determined;  but  they  reach  bottom  certainly  in  as  much  as 
25  feet.  In  front  of  our  cottage  was  a  buoy  marking  a  25-foot 
hole,  and  we  have  often  seen  Coots  close  to  this  buoy  diving  and 
bringing  up  food  from  the  bottom.  ITsually,  however,  their  choice 
feeding  grounds  are  in  depths  between  I  and  18  feet. 

The  length  of  time  the  Coot  remains  under  water  varies  greatly, 
and  is  probably  determined  chiefly  by  the  depth  to  which  they  dive 


526         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

and  the  readiness  with  which  acceptable  food  is  found.  The  long- 
est time  any  individual  was  observed  to  remain  under  water  was 
16  seconds,  and  the  usual  time  in  water  4  to  10  feet  was  about  9 
seconds. 

The  Coots  feed  most  industriously  when  the  surface  of  the 
water  is  smooth  and  the  air  balmy.  They  feed  actively  also  on 
calm,  moonlit  nights.  On  quiet  mornings  and  again  in  the  after- 
noon they  gather  on  favorite  grounds  near  shore  and  feed  indus- 
triously until  disturbed. 

During  the  early  part  of  the  fall  they  were  most  apt  to  feed  near 
shore,  doubtless  because  they  were  less  timid  and  also  because  their 
favorite  food  was  found  in  shallow  water.  Later,  as  a  result  of 
their  being  hunted  and  disturbed  by  gunners  and  others,  they  be- 
came more  wary  and  would  not  ordinarily  approach  or  remain  so 
near  shore.  The  depletion  of  the  inshore  feeding  grounds  also 
doubtless  has  much  to  do  with  causing  them  to  seek  food  farther 
out  in  the  lake. 

We  soon  discovered  that  the  early  arrivals  were  feeding  on  the 
wild  celery  (Vallisneria  sjnralis) ,  but  at  first  we  were- not  sure 
what  part  of  the  plant  they  ate.  We  had  read  in  the  botanies 
and  the  ornithologies  that  the  great  delicacy  of  the  flesh  of  the 
canvasback  duck  is  due  to  the  fact  that  it  feeds  on  "the  roots" 
or  the  "leaves"  of  the  wild  celery.  If  a  brisk  breeze  should  spring 
up  after  the  Coots  had  been  feeding  diligently  for  a  few  hours  or 
a  day  or  two,  great  quantities  of  wild  celery  plants  would  be 
washed  up  on  the  shore.  Upon  examining  these  plants,  we  were 
not  able  to  discover  that  the  roots  or  leaves  of  many  of  them  had 
been  removed.  Nearly  all  of  the  plants  seemed  intact  and  perfect 
so  far  as  these  parts  were  concerned.  One  interesting  part  of  the 
plant,  however,  we  were  unable  to  find  on  any  of  the  plants  washed 
ashore,  namely,  the  modified  stolon  or  so-called  winterbud,  which 
many,  perhaps  all,  of  the  Vallisneria  plants  form  late  in  the  sum- 
mer. This  is  a  short  stem  somewhat  smaller  than  a  lead  pencil, 
about  one-half  to  two  inches  long,  somewhat  enlarged  at  the  distal 
end,  white  in  color,  very  tender  and  crisp,  and  having  quite  a  pleas- 
ant flavor.  We  soon  found  it  was  upon  these  winter  buds 
that  the  coots  were  feeding,  apparently  exclusively,  and  they  doubt- 
less, during  the  early  fall,  constitute  the  principal  food  of  the  Coots 
that  frequent  this  lake. 

Later  in  the  fall,  after  the  supply  of  winter  buds  has  become 
practically  exhausted,  the  Coots,  bluebills,  redheads,  and  canvas- 
backs  begin  eating  the  bases  of  the  wild  celery  leaves,  and  as  choice 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


527 


food  becomes  more  and  more  scarce  they  cat  other  parts  of 
Vallisneria,  and  other  plants  which  at  first  they  reject.  In  fact. 
when  occasion  requires,  the  Coots  seem  to  be  able  to  eat  almost 
any  aciuatic  plant,  and  various  kinds  of  animal  food  such  as  snails, 
small  crustaceans,  and  the  like.  There  is  no  evidence  that  they 
eat  fish.  Most  of  the  stomachs  examined  in  the  fall  containi'd 
Chara,  some  contained  bits  of  fine-leaved  Potamogeton  (probably 
P.  pectiruUiis) ,  also  Ceratophyllum  and  Naias.  Several  stomachs 
examined  October  12,  1906,  contained  a  ([uantity  of  finely  com- 
minuted light  green  material,  probably  leaves  of  Vallisneria.  One 
examined  April  7  contained  some  vegetable  fibers  and  leaves  of 
Potamogeton  lucens  mixed  with  white  sand.  Sixteen  were  exam- 
ined September  9,  and  Naias  was  found  to  constitute  the  bulk  of 
the  food.  Two  contained  bits  of  Potamogeton  and  Ceratophyllum, 
two  had  some  small  seeds  like  clover  mixed  with  some  fine  gravel. 
One  examined  November  4  contained  fine  fiits  of  Naias  and  a  few 
small  shells  of  Vivipara  contectokles. 

On  January  3,  1901,  the  lake  was  frozen  over  excepting  one 
open  pool  near  the  Weedpatch,  in  which  were  several  coots  along 
with  a  number  of  various  species  of  ducks.  At  this  time  food  was 
particularly  hard  to  get  and  the  birds  were  disposed  to  rob  one 
another.  Generally  when  one  dived  the  others  watched  for  his 
coming  up.  They  were  able  to  see  him  some  moments  before  he 
reappeared,  and,  hurrying  to  the  spot  where  they  thought  he  would 
emerge,  would  be  on  hand  ready  to  appropriate  for  themselves  as 
much  of  the  food  brought  up  as  they  could  get  possession  of.  Not 
only  would  the  coots  rob  each  other  but  the  ducks  also  robbed  the 
coots.  Whenever  a  Coot  came  up  with  an  unusually  great  amount 
of  food,  the  little  bluebiils  and  even  the  canvasback  drake  would 
be  on  hand  ready  to  help  themselves.  In  this  way  the  coots  fed 
not  only  each  other  but  various  ducks  as  well.  It  was  observed 
that  the  ducks  did  very  little  i-obbing  of  each  other.  Usually  a  con- 
siderable mass  of  vegetation  was  brought  up  each  time.  In  this 
particular  place  the  principal  food  seemed  to  be  one  or  more  species 
of  Potamogeton,  P.  pcclinatus  predominating.  The  birds  often 
came  up  with  long  stems  hanging  over  their  backs.  Quite  often 
the  plant  brought  up  looked  like  Chara,  but  of  this  we  were  not 
sure.  It  is  certain  the  plants  they  were  getting  lu>r(>  weiv  not 
their  favorite  food,  but  such  as  they  could  utilize  when  necessary 
when  better  food  was  not  to  be  had. 

Following  is  a  tabular  statement  of  the  food  found  in  a  mnn- 
ber  of  coots  examined. 

34—17618 


528         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


Number  of 

Date 

stomachs 
examined 

Contents 

April 

7 

1 

White  sand,  some  vegetable  fibers,  and  some  leaves  of  Potanwgelon  liicens. 

October  29 

3 

Bits  of  Chara,  Ceratoph.\]lum  and  small  Potamogeton. 

November 

2 

2 

Chara;  opercula  of  Viripara  contectoides;  fragments  of  shells. 

3 

1 

Chara;  opercula  of  Viripara  contectoides,    fragments  of  shells. 

3 

1 

Fragments  of  Naias  flexil-s  robiis'us. 

8 

2 

Fine  pieces  of  Naias,  fragments  of  Viripara  contectoides  and  perhaps  other 
mollusks. 

12 

1 

Chara. 

28 

1 

Chara. 

December 

8 

1 

Chara. 

October 

9 

4 

Ceratopliyllum. 

12 

7 

Fine  green  matter,  probably  Vallisneria. 

September 

21 

16 

Chiefly  Naias  flerilis  robiis'us,  with  some  Potamogeton,  Ceratophyllum,  2 
contained  some  small  seeds  like  clover,  mi.\ed  with  gravel  in  crop. 

October 

10 

1 

Naias  fleiilis  robus'.us. 

31 

1 

All  vegetable  matter  but  not  specificially  identifiable. 

November 

4 

1 

Naias  in  fine  bits,  and  shells  of  i'liivaia  contectoides. 

The  Coot  averages  a  little  more  than  one  pound  in  weight. 
Following  is  a  record  of  28  examples  weighed  by  us : 


Date 

No. 

Weight 

Pounds 

Ounces 

November  ^2 

1 
2 
3 
4 
■5 
6 
7 
8 

3 

S 
7 

12 
3 
3 

September   21 

9 
10 
11 

113^ 

6 

12 
13 

14 
2 

- 

14 
1.5 

31^ 
2 

16 
17 
IS 
19 
20 
21 

5Vi 
15 
15 

2H 
4 

22 
23 
24 
25 
26 

15M 

VA 
3 

1 

1 

27 

2S 

1 
1 

83/4 

5 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         529 

The  Coot  is  not  genei-ally  lield  in  high  esteem  as  an  article  of 
food.  Those  who  have  put  themselves  on  recoi-d  in  the  books  are 
ahiiost  unanimous  in  the  opinion  that  it  is  worthless  for  food.  As 
a  matter  of  fact,  however,  the  Coot  is  scarcely  infei'ior  to  most 
species  of  ducks.  Coots,  particularly  young  ones,  skinned  and 
fried,  or  even  old  ones  parboiled,  then  baked,  are  quite  as  delicious 
as  any  duck.  It  is,  however,  doubtless  true  that  the  delicacy  of 
flavor,  not  only  of  the  Coot,  but  also  of  the  canvasback  and  other 
ducks,  is  largely  determined  by  the  kinds  of  food  they  have  been 
eating.  The  wild  celery  {Vallisnena  siriralis)  is  suflicicntly 
abundant  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  to  give  the  Coot  frequenting  it  a 
delicate  flavor  which  has  received  high  praise  from  all  who  are 
familiar  with  it. 

Beginning  soon  after  their  arrival  in  the  fall  the  coots  are 
hunted  relentlessly  until  the  constant  persecution  or  the  freezing 
over  of  the  lake  compels  them  to  leave.  Soon  after  they  come  in 
numbers  certain  local  pot-hunters  and  temporary  cottagers,  and 
people  from  various  parts  as  far  away  as  Terre  Haute,  Indian- 
apolis and  Logansport,  who  come  to  the  lake  for  a  few  days  shoot- 
ing, begin  to  bombard  the  coots  from  early  morning  until  late  in 
the  evening.  Unfortunately  not  all  of  these  are  sportsmen  ;  in  fact 
the  majority  of  them  are  not.  Many  of  them  are  mere  pot-hunters 
or  butchers  who  possess  none  of  the  instincts  of  the  true  sports- 
man and  who  continue  to  pursue  the  birds  as  long  as  they  are  in 
sight.  The  methods  of  these  pot-hunters  are  reprehensible  in 
every  way.  They  shoot  everything  in  sight  whether  edible-  or  not, 
including  coots,  helldivers,  grebes,  tern,  and  loons.  The  Coot  has 
a  particular  fascination  for  them,  though  few  of  them  make  any 
use  of  it ;  they  simply  kill  or  cripple  the  coots,  helldivers  and  grebes 
in  pure  wantonness  and  leave  them  to  float  ashore  and  decay.  Some 
of  these  pot-hunters  use  naphtha  or  gasoline  launches  (contrary 
to  the  law),  and  keep  up  their  fusilade  until  after  sundown  (also 
unlawful)  ;  and  some  of  them  have  been  known  to  pursue  the  fowl 
on  Sunday,  in  violation  of  the  law. 

On  October  25,  1900,  the  remains  of  about  100  coots  were  found 
in  a  pile  at  the  small  green  house  at  the  south  end  of  the  lake.  The 
next  day  one  hunter  shot  12  coots,  and  on  the  following  day  two 
pot-hunters  got  34.  On  November  9,  two  other  pot-hunters  fi'om 
Indianapolis,  men  who  ought  to  know  better,  killed  06  coots  and 
ducks,  and  the  next  day  they  got  50.  They  did  theii-  bombarding 
from  a  small  launch. 

Fortunately  a  few  of  these  pot-hunters  have  been  caught  and 
fined  heavily.     Public  sentiment  in  favor  of  fish  and  game  protec- 


530         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Siirvey 

tion  is  growing-,  thanks  to  the  interest  and  activity  of  the  Lake 
Maxinkuckee  Association  and  a  number  of  appreciative  citizens 
and  visitors,  and  it  is  hoped  and  beheved  that  the  fish  and  game 
laws  will  hereafter  be  better  observed. 

The  Coot  breeds  at  this  lake  in  very  limited  numbers;  indeed, 
in  most  seasons  it  is  not  believed  that  any  do  so.  Formerly  a  few 
pairs  nested  each  season  about  Lost  Lake  or  in  the  Norris  Inlet 
marshes.  The  nest  is  made  of  dead  reeds  and  grasses  placed  on 
the  ground  near  the  water,  on  a  tussock,  or  on  a  mass  of  floating 
vegetation.  The  reeds  or  flags  on  which  it  rests  are  broken  down 
and  the  nest  sometimes  rises  and  falls  with  the  water.  The  eggs 
are  clay-  or  creamy-white  in  color,  uniformly  and  finely  dotted  all 
over  with  dark  brown  or  blackish  specks.  The  full  nest  comple- 
ment usually  numbers  from  6  to  15  and  the  egg  measures  1.77  to 
2.00  inches  long  by  1.40  to  1.45  in  the  shorter  diameter.  Their 
nesting  season  in  this  part  of  the  State  is  in  late  May  and  early 
June. 

46.     NORTHERN  PHALAROPE 

LOBIPES   LOBATUS    (Linnaeus) 

The  only  example  of  this  species  ever  observed  by  us  at  Lake 
Maxinkuckee  v/as  seen  September  21,  1913.  It  was  at  the  water's 
edge  on  Long  Point,  where  it  was  feeding.  It  appeared  to  be  feed- 
ing on  insects  in  or  at  the  edge  of  the  water.  It  was  very  tame 
and  permitted  very  near  approach  so  that  it  could  be  carefully  ob- 
served. When  approached  too  near  it  would  wade  out  into  the 
water,  and  if  further  pressed,  it  would  swim  away  a  short  distance, 
then  rise  and  fly  out  over  the  lake  in  a  short  circle,  then  come  back 
and  alight  behind  us  on  the  shore. 

This  bird  remained  on  this  stretch  of  shore  all  day  but  by  the 
next  morning  it  had  gone. 

47.     WOODCOCK 

PHILOHELA   MINOR    (Gmelin) 

This  bird  seems  to  be  quite  rare ;  indeed,  almost  unknown  at  the 
lake.  It  is  significant  that  although  hunting  and  game  are  matters 
of  considerable  interest  in  the  region,  one  never  hears  of  this  bird 
being  taken.  We  have  only  two  records  for  this  species  at  the 
lake:  A  pair  were  seen  April  6,  1885,  by  the  senior  author  in  a 
marshy  prairie  just  west  of  Culver,  and  about  August  10,  1900,  Dr. 
Scovell  saw  one  on  the  west  shore  of  the  lake. 

Those  seen  on  April  6,  1885,  were  evidently  mating.  One  of 
the  birds,  presumably  the  male,  would  rise  high  in  air  by  a  kind  of 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         5:31 

rapid  spiral  flight,  then  return  to  the  ground  with  a  sort  of  boom- 
ing sound.  Then  the  act  would  be  repeated,  accompanied  by  a 
peculiar  note  hard  to  describe.  This  was  just  before  dusk  of  a 
warmish  spring  day,  and  the  performance  was  repeated  many 
times. 

There  are  a  few  places  near  the  lake  that  would  furnish  almost 
ideal  retreats  for  this  bird.  One  of  the  best  is  a  rather  deep  gully 
on  the  east  side  which  is  known  locally  as  "the  canyon"  and  which 
has  patches  of  soft  marshy  bottom.  Another  is  Green's  marsh, 
and  still  others  the  marshy  ground  at  the  south  end  of  the  lake. 
The  bird  is  not  rare  about  the  lakes  of  the  adjacent  county  of 
Kosciusko. 

48.     WILSON'S  SNIPE 

GALLINAGO  DELICATA   (Ord) 

This  bird,  known  here  as  Jack  Snipe,  is  much  more  common 
than  the  woodcock,  which  it  resembles  considerably  in  general 
habits. 

Our  records  are  as  follows :  Sept.  29,  1899,  one  seen  on  Long 
Point;  about  April  7,  1901,  8  or  10  killed  by  a  local  hunter;  April 
3,  1902,  one  seen;  Oct.  21,  1902,  one  seen  in  Green's  marsh;  Oc- 
tober 31,  Mr.  Chadwick  says  he  has  seen  them  in  Green's  marsh 
for  a  month;  Nov.  1,  1902,  one  seen;  Nov.  2,  one  or  more  heard  in 
Green's  marsh;  Oct.  20,  one  seen  in  Green's  marsh;  Nov.  3,  1901, 
3  seen,  and  one  or  more  seen  along  west  side  of  lake  on  Nov.  9, 
13,  15,  20  and  21  following;  Oct.  13,  1906.  one  seen  in  Hawk's 
marsh;  Oct.  31,  1907,  one  seen  at  Norris  Inlet;  Apr.  23,  1909,  one 
heard. 

In  1913,  it  was  first  noted  on  September  29;  30th.  one  shot 
on  Long  Point.  October  3,  one  seen  near  the  Chadwick  cottage; 
5th,  6th,  and  7th,  three  seen  near  Chadwick's ;  8th,  one  on  Long 
Point;  9th,  one  at  Norris  Inlet;  10th,  11th,  12th,  and  13th,  one 
noted  near  Holbrunner's ;  11th,  one  found  dead  under  a  telegraph 
wire,  stomach  contained  one  angleworm;  16th,  17th,  and  21st.  seen 
on  Long  Point;  22d,  two  on  sandy  shore  near  Holbrunner's;  23d. 
noted  in  same  place ;  26tli,  two  seen  ;  28th,  several  seen. 

The  Jack  Snipe  is  usually  seen  alone,  or  sometimes  2  or  :>  to- 
gether, on  the  lake  shore.  They  are  one  of  the  most  interesting 
and  delicious  of  American  game  birds,  and  there  is  uouc  more 
erratic  or  eccentric.  When  frightened  they  rise  with  a  cry  and 
start  off  with  a  swift,  zigzag  flight  that  tests  the  skill  of  the  sports- 
man. They  are  usually  found  in  low  mai-shy  situations.  They  lie 
close  and  are  rarely  seen  until  they  are  up  and  away. 


532         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

At  Maxinkuckee  they  occur  only  as  spring  and  fall  migrants. 
Their  food  consists  chiefly  of  worms  which  they  find  in  the  soft 
marsh  ground. 

Among  their  favorite  places  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  may  be  men- 
tioned Green's  marsh,  the  narrow  marshy  border  of  Outlet  Bay 
from  the  wagon  bridge  to  the  tip  of  Long  Point,  the  Scirpus-cov- 
ered  shore  from  Shady  Point  south  to  Murray's  and  east  to  beyond 
Farrar's,  and  the  Norris  Inlet  region.  From  the  first  of  April  to 
the  first  of  May  and  again  from  the  last  days  of  September  until 
the  last  of  November,  one  or  more  can  usually  be  seen  in  any  of 
these  localities.  Within  these  dates  and  in  these  places  we  rarely 
failed  to  find  them  if  we  cared  to  look  for  them.  They  are,  how- 
ever, much  less  abundant  than  they  were  a  few  years  ago  before 
ditching,  draining  and  clearing  up  the  land  so  greatly  reduced  their 
suitable  feeding  grounds. 

49.     SEMIPALMATED  SANDPIPER 

EREUNETES  PUSILLUS    (Linnaeus) 

Apparently  not  common.  Noted  August  12  and  at  other  times 
in  August  and  September,  1899 ;  on  July  17  and  18  and  August  7 
and  11,  1900.  Usually  seen  in  pairs  and  most  frequently  along 
the  shore  at  south  end  of  lake. 

50.     YELLOWSHANKS;   GREATER  YELLOWLEGS 

TOTANUS  MELANOLEUCUS  (Gmelin) 

Not  very  common,  and  only  as  a  spring  and  fall  migrant.  In 
1899,  it  was  noted  August  4  and  September  23.  In  1900,  a  pair, 
believed  to  be  this  species,  was  seen  on  July  18,  at  the  south  end  of 
the  lake ;  one  was  seen  October  2,  and  on  the  24th,  eleven  were  seen 
flying  over  and  calling  loudly ;  they  were  heard  again  in  the  after- 
noon at  Norris  Inlet;  and  on  the  31st,  one  was  noted  flying  over  the 
lake.  In  1901,  one  or  more  were  heard  March  7.  In  1902,  one 
was  heard  flying  over  Lost  Lake.  In  1906,  several  large  flocks 
thought  to  be  this  species  were  seen  by  Mr.  Clark  near  Warsaw. 
One  noted  October  4,  and  one  on  Long  Point  on  the  11th;  noted 
again  on  the  28th.  In  1907,  on  September  10,  heard,  and  reported 
by  Mr.  Chadwick  to  have  been  heard  several  times  this  fall;  29th, 
one  seen  flying  high  and  calling  loudly ;  November  2,  one  seen  fly- 
ing over.  In  1913,  one  seen  at  noon  September  7  on  Long  Point ; 
24th,  a  flock  of  five  seen;  October  15,  heard  by  Mr.  Clark. 

From  this  record  it  appears  that  this  species  may  be  seen  at 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Bioloylcal  Surrcij         533 

the  lake  only  for  a  brief  period  in  spring,  and  again  from  the 
middle  of  the  summer  until  at  least  the  first  part  of  Novembei-. 
October  is  probably  its  month  of  greatest  abundance. 

The  Greater  Yellowlegs  is  one  of  our  most  interesting  shore 
birds.  It  is  a  stately  bird  and  may  often  be  seen  wading  along  the 
margin  of  the  lake  feeding  upon  small  mollusks,  crustaceans  and 
fishes.  It  is  a  rather  wary  bird.  Spying  the  gunner  while  yet  at 
a  long  distance,  it  utters  three  or  four  rapidly  repeated  loud  and 
shrill  whistling  notes,  which  serve  as  a  signal  to  its  feathered  asso- 
ciates, when  they  all  take  wing  and  are  off;  for  which  reason 
"Tell-tale"  is  one  of  its  vernacular  names. 

51.     SPOTTED  SANDPIPER;  PEET-WEET 

ACTITIS  MACULARIA   (Linnaeus) 

This  little  bird  is  one  of  the  most  common  and  characteristic 
shore  birds  at  this  lake.  It  arrives  early  in  spring  and  remains 
until  late  in  October.  We  have  records  for  April  24  and  30,  and 
May  1,  1901;  also  for  August  19  and  September  16,  1906,  Sep- 
tember 27  to  30,  1907,  and  October  1,  10,  11,  12,  and  13,  1907. 
Between  these  extreme  dates  they  could  be  seen  at  any  time  when 
suitable  portions  of  the  beach  were  visited.  On  almost  any  day 
during  the  summer  and  fall  one  or  more  may  be  seen  running  rap- 
idly for  short  distances  along  the  water's  edge,  especially  on  sand- 
bars in  sequestered  places,  stopping  at  intervals  to  balance  them- 
selves with  the  peculiar  teetering  motion  for  which  they  are  so  well 
known,  and  to  utter  the  characteristic  call  "peet-weet."  When 
approached  this  bird  takes  a  low  flight,  usually  out  over  the  lake, 
circling  back  to  some  point  only  a  short  distance  down  the  shore 
from  where  it  started.  It  feeds  assiduously  along  the  shore,  jiick- 
ing  up  small  crustaceans,  mollusks,  insects,  and  other  small  bits 
of  animal  matter,  dead  or  alive.  In  this  way  this  bird  acts  to  some 
extent  as  a  scavenger,  as  do  many  other  shore  birds,  doing  much 
to  keep  the  beaches  clean. 

This  Sandpiper  breeds  at  Maxinkuckee.  Its  nest  is  a  simple 
aflfair,  a  mere  depression  in  the  sand,  usually  where  there  is  some 
rubbish  or  drift  material,  often  at  a  considerable  distance  from 
the  w^ater.  It  may  be  composed  of  a  small  quantity  of  dead  vege- 
tation, but  is  at  best  a  mere  makeshift  of  a  nest.  The  eggs,  usually 
4  in  number,  are  creamy,  buflf  or  clay  in  color,  blotched,  spotted  and 
dotted  with  blackish-brown.  They  measure  about  1.31  by  .94 
inches. 


534         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

52.     KILLDEER 

OXYECHUS  VOCIFERUS    (Linnreus) 

One  of  the  most  conspicuous  and  interesting  summer  residents, 
although  not  abundant.  It  is  one  of  the  first  birds  to  arrive  in 
spring-,  and  one  of  the  last  to  leave  in  the  fall. 

Our  definite  date  records  are  as  follows : 

1899. — Seen  almost  daily  throughout  July  and  August.  Sep- 
tember 11  and  17,  several  seen  on  these  dates  and  subsequently. 

1900.— September  22,  a  large  flock  at  Lost  Lake;  27th  to  30th, 
several  seen  and  heard.  October  2,  noted;  6th,  abundant  and  call- 
ing at  Fletcher  Lake  north  of  Logansport;  21st,  24th,  and  27th, 
several  seen  and  heard. 

1901. — March  1  and  3,  heard;  13th,  heard  and  3  seen;  17th 
to  19th,  seen  or  heard;  23d  to  26th,  seen  and  heard.  April  2, 
heard  and  seen  below  Lost  Lake ;  3d,  seen  calling  on  Green's  marsh ; 
4th,  one  heard  at  Lost  Lake ;  6th,  one  heard  west  of  lake ;  9th,  one 
at  the  tamarack  swamp ;  26th  and  28th,  heard  at  Lost  Lake.  May 
4  and  29,  heard  at  Lost  Lake. 

1902. — March  4,  one  seen  flying  over  lake  and  calling;  10th, 
one  seen  by  Mr.  Chadwick. 

1904. — October  21,  seen;  24th,  some  heard  calling  over  by  the 
tamarack  swamp.  November  6,  seen  and  heard  at  Lost  Lake; 
12th,  seen  flying  and  heard  over  by  Lost  Lake. 

1906. — Seen  off  and  on  and  no  doubt  present  all  summer.  Sep- 
tember 5,  constantly  calling;  6th,  seen.  October  4  and  10,  sev- 
eral seen  and  heard  calling;  11th  and  12th,  seen  along  shore;  25th, 
one  shot  near  Outlet  Bay;  27th,  one  found  dead  under  telegraph 
wires. 

1907. — September  12,  three  seen  flying  high  and  calling;  14th, 
a  good  many  noted  along  railroad  between  the  lake  and  Logans- 
port,  and  many  along  the  Wabash  near  Terre  Haute;  23d,  seen 
north  of  lake  toward  Twin  Lakes.  October  4,  one  heard  at  Hawk's 
marsh,  flying  and  calling;  10th,  heard  very  early  in  morning. 

1913. — September  4,  two  on  Long  Point  at  4  p.  m. ;  14th,  21st, 
25th,  and  28th,  one  or  more  seen  or  heard  each  day ;  29th,  a  flock 
of  8  or  10  seen  and  heard;  30th,  four  seen  on  Long  Point.  Oc- 
tober 3  to  9,  seen  and  heard  every  day ;  13th,  several  seen  in  morn- 
ing and  heard  at  9:40  p.m.,  a  fine  still  moonlit  night;  15th,  21st, 
and  22d,  one  or  more  noted  each  day. 

During  the  spring  and  especially  during  the  summer  the  kill- 
deers  are  usually  seen  singly  or  in  pairs ;  in  the  fall  they  gather 


Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Diolof/ical  Surrey         oo5 

up  in  small  flocks.  They  frequent  low  ground,  old  pastures  and 
sandy  beaches.  Among  favorite  places  whei-e  these  birds  were 
quite  sure  to  be  found  may  be  mentioned  the  sandy  shore  at  the 
northwest  end  of  Lost  Lake  and  the  tip  of  Long  Point. 

53.     PIPING  PLOVER 

^GIALITIS  MELODA   <Oid) 

Only  one  example  of  this  species  has  been  noted  by  us  at  this 
lake.  On  September  23.  1913,  one  was  observed  on  Long  Point, 
feeding  at  the  water's  edge.  It  was  quite  tame  and  permitted 
near  approach.  It  remained  four  days,  on  each  of  which  it  was 
closely  observed.  It  was  last  seen  on  the  evening  of  the  2{)th,  and 
probably  left  that  night. 

54.     BOB-WHITE 

COLINUS   VIRGINIANUS    (Linnsus) 

Formerly  the  Quail  was  an  abundant  permanent  resident  about 
Lake  Maxinkuckec.  The  environment  was  favorable;  the  many 
copsy  tangles  about  the  lake  afforded  good  protection  at  all  times 
and  the  weedy  fields  supplied  abundant  food.  Even  as  late  as 
1899  Quail  were  fairly  numerous.  During  the  late  summer  and 
early  fall  several  fine  flocks  were  seen,  one  good-sized  covey  making 
Long  Point  its  feeding  ground.  In  the  fall  very  good  shooting  was 
had  and  many  good  bags  were  made.  In  1900,  they  were  some- 
what less  abundant  but  a  number  of  good  flocks  were  seen.  They 
did  not  last  long,  however.  Before  the  open  season  began  (Oct. 
10)  more  than  a  score  of  quail  had  been  killed  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  lake  by  local  lawbreakers,  among  whom  were  several  more  or 
less  prominent  residents  of  Culver,  who  ought  to  have  been  prose- 
cuted to  the  full  extent  of  the  law. 

The  next  year.  Quail  were  much  less  common.  A  few  were  seen 
or  heard  throughout  the  season.  In  1902,  the\'  were  still  more 
scarce.  By  1904,  they  had  become  very  rare,  indeed.  In  l!>(!(i. 
none  was  seen  or  heard;  the  pot-hunters  had  succeeded  in  practi- 
cally exterminating  them.  In  1908,  they  had  increased  soint>wluil 
in  numbers.  One  fine  flock  of  20  or  more  was  seen  August  2  1.  In 
1909,  a  covey  of  11  was  seen  March  1  south  of  the  old  Manitou 
lake  bed.  In  1913,  a  good-sized  flock  of  Ihiid-growu  young  was 
seen  at  the  north  end  of  the  Gravelpit  on  October  5 ;  one  was 
heard  near  the  Outlet  on  the  8th  and  11th,  and  on  the  2Sth  a  Hock 
was  seen. 


536         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

This  valuable  bird  appears  now  to  be  increasing  in  numbers 
in  the  Maxinkuckee  region.  With  proper  protection  it  will  soon 
become  abundant. 

Public  sentiment  in  this  region  needs  educating.  Every  vio- 
lator of  the  game  law  should  be  prosecuted  whether  he  be  a  tran- 
sient visitor  or  local  business  man  or  town  official. 

55.  RUFFED  GROUSE;  PHEASANT 

BONASA   UMBELLUS    (Linnreus) 

This  is  now  a  rare  bird  about  Maxinkuckee, 

Our  definite  records  are  as  follows: 

1899. — October  12,  two  seen  on  Long  Point.  November  7,  one 
shot;  15th  and  27th,  one  seen.  December  2,  three  seen;  20th  and 
22d,  two  got. 

1900. — November  10,  one  shot  in  a  swamp  thicket  in  held  be- 
tween Murray's  and  Farrar's;  15th,  one  shot;  25th,  one  seen  in 
tamarack  swamp.     December  18,  two  seen,  one  got;  28th,  one  got. 

1901. — January  1,  one  hunter  got  three.  April  7,  one  seen 
among  dead  leaves  at  swamp  south  of  Farrar's;  11th,  one  heard 
drumming  east  of  lake.  December  30,  noted;  31st,  Mr.  Chadwick 
saw  10  to  12. 

1902. — January  2,  Mr.  Chadwick  saw  2  near  Mud  Lake;  15th, 
four  seen;  22d,  eight  to  10  seen. 

1904. — October  4,  one  Hushed  at  tamarack  swamp ;  one  seen  on 
Long  Point. 

1906. — September  17,  one  seen  south  of  lake.  October  7,  heard 
one  drumming  near  tamarack  swamp,  where  one  was  flushed  later; 
one  heard  drumming  in  Culver's  woods  on  east  side;  13th,  one 
seen  in  Hawk's  marsh ;  14th,  one  heard  drumming  on  east  side ; 
16th,  one  flushed  in  Farrar's  woods;  31st,  one  seen  on  east  side. 
November  14th,  one  seen  south  of  lake;  17th,  one  seen  south  of 
lake. 

1907.— August  15,  Prof.  W.  S.  Blatchley  saw  one  in  Walley's 
woods,  dusting.  October  5,  one  seen  in  Farrar's  woods.  Novem- 
ber 15,  one  got  south  of  lake. 

The  Ruff'ed  Grouse,  or  Pheasant  as  it  is  usually  called  in  Indi- 
ana, was  at  one  time  an  abundant  bird  in  this  part  of  the  State. 
The  heavy  woods,  tamarack  swamps,  and  thickets  occupying  the 
old  kettle  holes,  furnished  a  peculiarly  favorable  environment,  and 
in  such  situations  will  it  be  found  today,  if  at  all.  When  our  ob- 
servations at  the  lake  began  in  1899,  pheasants  were  much  more 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         oo7 

numerous  than  now.  Favorite  places,  where  one  or  more  mi^ht 
be  flushed  at  any  time  were  the  swampy  thicket  at  the  eclKe  of  an 
old  field  between  Murray's  and  P'arrar's,  the  old  kettle  holes  in 
Walley's  woods,  the  heavy  woods  northeast  of  the  lake,  and  the 
tamarack  swamp  west  of  the  lake. 

In  the  spring  of  the  year,  particularly  in  April,  and  aRain  in 
October,  they  could  be  heard  drumming.  One  was  observed  fight- 
ing off  a  black  snake  which  was  trying  to  get  its  eggs.  The  snake 
was  shot  and  the  grouse  after  a  moment  of  astonishment,  feigned 
lameness  and  hobbled  slowly  away. 

Only  the  most  rigid  enforcement  of  a  closed  period  of  several 
years  can  save  this  splendid  game  bird  from  extinction.  With 
proper  protection  it  can  again  become  an  abundant  bird  in  this 
region  where  there  yet  remain  many  very  favoi-able  situations. 

56.     PRAIRIE  CHICKP:N 

TYMPANUCHUS  AMERICANUS    (Reichenbach) 

At  one  time  a  common  species  in  the  prairie  west  of  the  lake, 
but  now  very  rare.  On  April  6  and  7,  1885,  one  or  more  were 
seen.  On  February  9,  1901,  one  flew  over  Long  Point,  and  two 
weeks  later  they  were  heard  calling.  One  seen  southwest  of  the 
lake  October  12,  1913. 

In  1910,  the  Indiana  State  Legislature  made  it  unlawful  to 
kill  prairie  chickens  at  any  time  prior  to  1915.  The  wisdom  of 
this  law  is  already  evident.  In  all  the  prairie  parts  of  the  State 
prairie  chickens  are  reported  to  have  increased  greatly;  in  many 
places  they  are  very  abundant.  During  our  recent  visit  to  Lake 
Maxinkuckee  (September  2  to  October  31,  1913),  we  did  not  visit 
the  region  west  of  the  lake  but  we  were  told  that  praii-ie  chickens 
are  now  quite  plentiful  there. 

57.     WILD  TURKEY 

MELEAGRIS  GALLOPAVO  SILVESTRIS    Vioillot 

In  all  probability  now  wholly  extinct  in  this  region,  as  it  is  in 
most  parts  of  the  State. 

The  late  Mr.  James  Green,  long  a  resident  on  the  west  shore 
of  the  lake,  told  us  that  he  saw  wild  turkeys  near  the  lake  many 
years  ago.  On  one  occasion  he  observed  a  flock  on  Long  Point. 
When  they  were  frightened  they  attempted  to  fly  across  the  ialvc 
to  the  east,  but  a  portion  of  the  flock  found  the  distance  too  great 
and,  falling  into  the  water,  were  caught. 


538         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

58.     PASSENGER  PIGEON 

ECTOPISTES  MIGRATORIUS   (Linn.-eus) 

The  Wild  Pigeon,  formerly  abundant  throughout  Indiana  dur- 
ing the  spring  and  fall  migrations,  is  now  probably  extinct.  None 
has  been  seen  about  Lake  Maxinkuckee  since  1885.  On  April  6 
of  that  year  the  senior  author  saw  6  or  7  in  Farrar's  woods  at  the 
south  end  of  the  lake.  These  are  the  last  he  has  seen  in  the 
State  or  elsewhere. 

59.     MOURNING  DOVE 

ZENAIDURA   MACROURA    CAROLINENSIS    (Linn:eus) 

The  Dove  is  quite  common  in  the  region  of  the  lake,  and  ap- 
parently remains  during  mild  winters.  Although  it  is  often  seen 
in  late  winter  (December  3,  1900,  December  13,  1904,  January  4 
and  6,  1905),  it  is  usually  not  often  noted  until  in  February  or 
March,  and  it  is  not  until  a  few  warm  days  have  come  that  one 
hears  its  cooing.  In  the  spring  they  are  usually  seen  in  twos 
or  threes.  In  the  spring  of  1901  the  first  was  noted  February 
11,  in  willows  by  Long  Point.  From  this  time  on  they  were  seen 
quite  frequently.  The  first  one  was  heard  cooing  March  19,  and 
thereafter  they  were  heard  often.  Nests  were  found  in  various 
places;  two  were  noted  in  trees  near  Green's  marsh,  one  10  feet 
up  and  the  other  30  feet  up.  They  nested  still  more  abundantly 
on  the  brush  piles  in  Green's  marsh,  and  also  occasionally  on  the 
ground  of  the  same  region.  On  April  26  a  nest  with  two  eggs  was 
found  on  a  brush  pile,  and  April  8  a  new  empty  nest  was  found 
in  a  similar  situation,  the  dove  in  leaving  the  nest  feigning  lame- 
ness. May  10  young  birds  were  seen  just  able  to  fly.  They  were 
heard  cooing  in  July.  One  was  noted  October  19,  1904.  In 
autumn  they  usually  flock  together  more  or  less.  On  August  12, 
1900,  a  flock  of  about  20  was  seen  on  ground  northeast  of  the 
lake.  On  September  14,  a  very  large  flock  was  seen  just  south  of 
Kewanna.  On  December  3,  1900,  another  flock  of  about  20  was 
seen.  They  often  pass  the  winter  in  cornfields.  In  1906  they 
were  heard  cooing  throughout  the  summer,  and  seen  quite  fre- 
quently from  July  20  to  October  30,  when  they  were  frequently 
seen  along  the  railroad  track. 

In  1907,  they  were  quite  common  and  were  noted  almost  daily 
from  September  11  to  October  7,  the  period  of  observation.  One 
large  flock  was  seen  near  Delong  October  7.  In  1913  they  were 
noted  practically  every  day  from  September  3  to  the  last  of  Oc- 
tober. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         539 
60.     TURKEY  VULTURE 

CATHARTES   AURA   SEPTENTRIONALIS  Wied 

The  Turkey  Buzzard,  as  it  is  invariably  called  in  Indiana,  is 
not  common  so  far  north  in  the  State  as  Maxinkuckee.  One  was 
seen  by  us  at  Lapaz  Junction,  18  miles  north  of  the  lake,  Septem- 
ber 18,  1900.  On  December  10,  1904,  two  were  seen  on  Tippe- 
canoe River,  four  miles  south  of  the  lake.  A  flock  of  six  or  seven 
were  seen  on  Yellow  River  near  Twin  Lakes  September  28,  1907. 
On  October  15,  1913,  seven  were  observed  on  the  Kankakee  River 
west  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  and  five  days  later  one  was  seen  near 
Kewanna,  10  miles  south  of  the  lake. 

In  Carroll  County,  25  to  40  miles  south  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee, 
the  Turkey  Buzzard  is  a  common  summer  resident,  breeding  in  all 
suitable  places,  remaining  late  in  the  fall  but  rarely  or  never  all 
winter. 

61.     MARSH  HAWK 

CIRCUS  HUDSONIUS   (Linnwus) 

Not  common ;  but  one  or  more  may  be  seen  at  almost  any  time 
in  the  summer  and  fall  flying  over  the  marshes  about  the  lake, 
perhaps  most  frequently  about  Lost  Lake  and  Norris  Inlet.  In 
the  fall,  after  the  gunning  season  has  begun,  these  hawks  are 
often  seen  searching  the  shores  for  wounded  ducks  and  coots. 

The  Marsh  Hawk  doubtless  breeds  in  this  locality  though  we 
have  never  found  its  nest. 

Our  definite  records  are  as  follows : 

1899. — Occasionally  seen  in  August  and  September. 

1900. — July  22,  one  seen  on  the  outlet  of  Lost  Lake  near  Wal- 
ley's  woods.  September  28,  one  near  Walley's.  November  7,  one 
at  Outlet ;  10th,  one  southwest  of  lake. 

1904. — October  28,  one  flying  over  Green's  marsh.  December 
6,  one  in  marsh  at  north  end  of  Lost  Lake  eating  a  Microtus ;  10th, 
one  along  outlet  below  Lost  Lake,  latest  date  on  which  observed. 

1906. — Occasionally  seen  during  the  summer  flying  low  over 
the  marshes.  July  19,  one  near  Lapaz  Junction.  August  3,  a 
fine  example  that  had  been  winged  was  caught  at  Hawk's  marsh ; 
23d,  one  at  Lost  Lake. 

1907. — September  13,  one  seen  flying  from  Green's  across  the 
lake;  22d,  one  flying  about  over  Outlet  Bay. 

1913. — September  3,  one  near  Norris  Inlet  in  morning;  6th,  one 
at  8  a.m.  flying  east  across  Outlet  Bay;  29th,  one  flying  east  over 
Long  Point.  October  9,  one  at  Norris  Inlet ;  12th,  one  over  Green's 
marsh. 


540         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

62.     SHAEP-SHINNED  HAWK 

ACCIPITER  VELOX    (Wilson) 

Occasionally  seen,  usually  in  fall  or  early  winter.  Probably  a 
summer  resident. 

We  have  only  a  few  records.  In  1900,  one  was  seen  on  Sep- 
tember 28,  October  25,  and  December  6.  In  1907,  one  was  seen 
entering  Green's  woods  September  29. 

63.     COOPER'S  HAWK 

ACCIPITER  COOPERI   (Bonaparte) 

Apparently  rare.  Our  only  record  is  of  one  seen  November  1, 
1902,  north  of  the  Academy  grounds. 

6-1.     RED-TAILED  HAWK 

BUTEO    BOREALIS    (Gmclin) 

Seen  nearly  all  the  year  round,  but  most  common  in  spring. 
The  greatest  number  were  seen  in  March  (24th  and  31st,)  1901, 
when  they  were  abundant,  flying  and  circling  about,  quite  noisy 
and  giving  vent  almost  constantly  to  their  shrill,  well-known  calls. 
This  is  perhaps  the  most  familiar  hawk  of  the  region.  An  old  nest 
was  noticed  high  up  in  a  lai'ge  tree  in  Overmeyer's  woods,  where 
hawks  were  often  seen  in  the  spring,  doubtless  preparing  to  use 
the  nest  again.     Our  definite  records  are  as  follows : 

1900. — August  26,  two  or  three  seen  by  Mr.  Knowlton  near 
old  Lake  Manitou  west  of  Culver.  September  21,  one  heard  in 
morning  near  Murray's ;  28th,  a  large  black  hawk,  believed  to  be 
this,  seen  by  Mr.  Clark;  30th,  one  seen  near  railroad  between  lake 
and  Belong.  October  8,  one  seen.  November  25,  one  seen  by  Mr. 
Clark  near  the  tamarack  swamp.  December  3,  a  large  black  hawk, 
probably  this,  seen  flying  over  the  lake ;  6th,  one  seen. 

1901. — January  20,  one  seen.  February  2  and  3,  a  large  whit- 
ish hawk,  thought  to  be  this,  seen  flying  at  a  distance ;  20th,  seen ; 
24th,  heard.  March  8,  one  seen  on  east  side;  11th,  one  near  Nor- 
ris  Inlet;  12th,  one  near  the  Gravelpit  and  another  flying  high; 
17th,  seen  and  heard;  24th,  several  seen  flying  and  heard  calling; 
31st,  one  seen  soaring;  heard  calling  near  the  lake.  April  2,  seen; 
7th,  one  observed  flying  southwest  of  the  lake;  9th,  one  near  the 
tamarack  swamp ;  15th,  one  flying  over  Lost  Lake  marsh ;  18th, 
one  flying  over  Green's  field;  19th,  one  at  Long  Point;  26th,  one  at 
Lost  Lake. 

1904. — October  18,  one  at  Lost  Lake  outlet;  24th,  one  seen. 
November  25,  one  in  Walley's  woods.     December  19,  one  seen. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         541 

1906. — August  31,  one  seen  at  Twin  Lakes. 

1907. — September  22,  one  seen  in  afternoon  at  the  tamarack 
swamp  much  annoyed  by  crows;  29th,  one  seen  rise  from  the  road 
near  Walley's. 

65.     RED-SHOULDERED  HAWK 

BUTEO  LINEATUS   (Gmelin) 

Not  common;  our  only  record  is  of  one  noted  April  2,  1901. 

66.     BALD  EAGLE 

HALI^qSETUS  LEUCOCEPHALUS   (Linnseus) 

Occasionally  seen,  usually  in  winter.  First  noted  November 
12,  1899,  when  one  was  seen  flying  at  south  end  of  the  lake.  Octo- 
ber 21,  1900,  one  noted  flying  over  the  lake  hunting  for  crippled 
coots  and  ducks.  Another  was  seen  January  4,  1901,  flying  low 
over  the  lake;  one  on  Lost  Lake  January  12,  1902,  and  another  No- 
vember 14,  1904,  seen  flying  over  south  end  of  lake.  During  Feb- 
ruary and  March,  1905,  four  bald  eagles  were  frequently  seen  on 
Long  Point.  One  had  not  yet  attained  the  white  head  and  tail. 
They  frequented  an  old  oak  near  the  Barr  cottage,  where  they 
were  often  seen.  After  one  of  them  was  killed  the  others  disap- 
peared.    One  was  seen  October  5,  1907. 

The  Bald  Eagle  is  said  to  breed  in  Starke  County,  just  west 
of  Maxinkuckee. 

67.     PIGEON  HAWK 

FALCO  COLUMBARIUS  Linnaeus 

Probably  quite  rare.  Our  only  record  is  of  one  seen  by  Mr. 
Clark  September  15,  1913,  believed  to  be  this  species. 

68.     SPARROW  HAWK 

FALCO   SPARVERIUS   Linna-iis 

Not  common,  but  occasionally  seen.  We  have  the  following 
records:  September  27^  October  25  and  December  6,  1900;  April 
4  and  7,  June  11  and  December  31,  1901;  November  15,  1904; 
August  31  and  November  13,  1906 ;  September  23,  1907 ;  and  Sep- 
tember 11  and  October  14,  1913.  Seen  oftener  in  the  fields  and 
along  the  roads  some  distance  back  from  the  lake  than  in  its  im- 
mediate vicinity.  One  or  more  could  usually  be  seen  any  day  from 
early  spring  to  late  fall  on  the  road  from  Culver  to  Burr  Oak. 
When  the  winter  is  mild  it  probably  remains  through  the  year. 
The  Sparrow  Hawk  was  observed  preying  on  English  sparrows 
about  the  grist  mill  at  Culver. 


542         Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

69.     FISH  HAWK 

PANDION  HALIAETUS   CAROLINENSIS    (Gmelin) 

The  Osprey  or  Fish  Hawk  is  seen  only  rarely  at  this  lake.  We 
have  noted  it  as  follows:  September  21,  1899,  one  seen  on  Long 
Point.  A  few  days  later  an  Osprey,  probably  this  one,  was  found 
dead  at  the  south  end  of  the  lake.  It  had  been  shot.  August  30, 
Mr.  A.  Radcliffe  Dugmore  (now  Major  Dugiiiore  of  the  British 
Army)  saw  one,  and  October  4,  1900,  one  was  shot.  November  4, 
one  seen.  April  23,  1901,  one  seen  searching  for  fish  in  Lost  Lake. 
December  12,  one  seen  on  Long  Point.  September  25,  1907,  one 
seen  flying  over  Long  Point,  then  hovering  over  Outlet  Bay  into 
which  it  dropped,  evidently  for  fish,  but  failed  to  get  any ;  then 
it  flew  high  over  the  water  toward  Long  Point  where,  after  hover- 
ing and  swooping  some,  it  returned  to  near  the  Outlet  where  it 
skimmed  low  over  the  water,  and  finally  disappeared  down  Lost 
Lake.  October  11,  1907,  one  seen  flying  low  over  the  lake.  Oc- 
tober 19,  1913,  one  seen  flying  east  across  Outlet  Bay. 

The  Fish  Hawk  has  the  same  habit  as  the  marsh  hawk  of 
searching  the  shores  and  marshes  for  wounded  birds. 

70.     LONG-EARED  OWL 

ASIO  WILSONIANUS    (Lesson) 

A  male  in  fine  plumage  taken  by  Mr.  E.  E.  Slick  and  the  senior 
writer  December  30,  1890,  in  the  large  tamarack  swamp  near 
Kewanna,  a  few  miles  south  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  We  never 
saw  the  species  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  lake. 

71.     SHORT-EARED  OWL 

ASIO   FLAMMEUS   (Pontoppidan) 

Apparently  rare.  One  seen  December  27,  1902,  two  miles 
southwest  of  the  lake  near  a  tamarack  swamp. 

72.     BARRED  OWL 

STRIX    VARIA   Barton 

Not  common.  One  shot  on  Long  Point  November  29,  1899, 
another  December  10,  1901,  and  another  heard  on  Long  Point  Oc- 
tober 17  and  18,  1902. 

73.     SCREECH  OWL 

OTUS   ASIO    (Linnaeus) 

The  most  common  owl  about  the  lake.  One  or  more  pairs  make 
their  home  among  the  old  oaks  on  Long  Point;  others  are  constant 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         543 

residents  in  the  grove  on  the  hill  at  the  Outlet,  and  still  others 
appear  to  stay  in  Farrar's  woods  at  the  south  end  of  the  lake. 
Wherever  there  are  old  oaks  or  other  large  trees  with  deserted 
woodpecker  holes  or  hollow  trunks  or  limbs  suitable  as  nesting 
places  or  as  hiding  places  during  the  day,  one  or  more  screech  owls 
are  apt  to  be  found.  They  also  sometimes  take  up  their  residence 
in  the  lofts  of.  cottages  or  in  barns  or  stables,  where  they  are  very 
useful  and  effective  in  destroying  the  mice  which  infest  such  places. 

At  Long  Point  and  on  the  Outlet  hill  could  be  heard  almost 
any  night  in  spring  or  autumn  the  peculiar  well-known  shivering 
note  of  the  Screech  Owl,  also  at  various  other  places  such  as  in 
Green's,  Walley's,  and  Farrar's  woods,  and  at  various  places  on  the 
east  side.  During  the  nesting  season  they  often  become  quite  bold 
and  will  make  dashes  at  anyone  who  comes  near  them  in  the  twi- 
light, snapping  the  bill  and  uttering  a  short  tremulous  cry. 

Our  definite  records  are  as  follows : 

In  1899  it  was  frequently  heard  at  night  in  July,  August  and 
September.  On  October  12,  one  was  seen  on  Long  Point.  Iw  1900, 
one  heard  on  Long  Point  August  14,  October  4,  November  3,  and 
another  near  Lost  Lake  November  10.  In  1901,  seen  or  heard 
January  22  and  23,  April  16,  May  28,  June  10,  15,  16,  and  23.  In 
1902  one  heard  on  Long  Point  October  19.  In  1904,  noted  on  Oc- 
tober 18,  23,  and  31,  November  2,  4,  6,  9,  11,  15,  18,  19,  and  21, 
and  December  21.  In  1905,  one  seen  on  Long  Point  January  1, 
August  6  and  September  8,  and  one  in  December.  In  1907,  seen  or 
heard  September  20  and  October  16.  In  1913,  one  was  seen  or 
heard  on  Long  Point,  September  23,  and  October  8,  9  and  14. 

74.     GREAT  HORNED  OWL 

BUBO   VIKGINIANUS    (Gmelin) 

Not  at  all  common.  As  a  result  of  the  cutting  away  of  the 
forests  and  the  ignorant  shortsighted  destruction  of  these  use- 
ful birds,  the  owls  are  much  less  common  than  formerly.  We 
have  only  a  few  records  for  this  region.  In  1899  one  was  seen  No- 
vember 29.  In  1900,  one  heard  October  26.  In  1901,  one  heard 
March  20  and  another  in  Farrar's  woods  April  13,  when  it  came 
within  a  few  rods  of  the  observer  and  hooted  several  times  until 
crows  drove  it  away.  It  returned,  however,  in  the  afternoon  and 
hooted  again.  In  1901,  one  was  heard  October  21.  In  1906,  on 
November  7,  one  seen  south  of  lake.  In  1907  one  heard  Novem- 
ber 3. 


35— 1761S 


5i4         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

75.     SNOWY  OWL 

NYCTEA   NYCTEA    (Linnaus) 

This  magnificent  owl  is  a  rare  winter  visitor  to  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee. On  November  22,  1905,  one  was  killed  on  Long  Point. 
It  had  been  seen  several  times  flying  about  and  across  the  lake. 
When  shot  it  was  attempting  to  fly  from  shore  with  a  coot  in  its 
talons.  Another  was  shot  a  few  days  later,  and  in  February  fol- 
lowing a  third  example  was  seen  flying  across  the  south  part  of  the 
lake. 

76.     YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOO;  RAIN-CROW 

COCCYZUS  AMEBIC  ANUS    (Linnaeus) 

Rather  common  throughout  the  summer.  Frequently  heard  on 
Long  Point,  especially  in  muggy  weather  preceding  a  rain.  Noted 
on  the  following  dates :  July  to  September  20,  1899 ;  July  17,  18, 
19,  August  18,  23,  27,  and  September  19,  1900;  May  17,  18,  23, 
24,  and  27  and  June  1,  3  and  9,  1901 ;  June  19  and  20,  1902 ;  Sep- 
tember 12  and  13,  1907;  August  27,  1908;  and  September  12,  21, 
22,  25,  29  and  October  3,  1913.  During  the  last  days  of  September 
and  the  first  days  of  October,  1913,  one  or  more  yellow-billed 
cuckoos  were  seen  feeding  on  Chironomus  insects  that  had  just 
emerged  from  the  water  at  Long  Point. 

The  black-billed  cuckoo  was  not  positively  identified  but  it  in 
all  probability  occurs  here. 

77.     KINGFISHER 

CERYLE   ALCYON    (Linnaeus) 

The  Kingfisher  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  birds  about  the 
lake.  Although  never  abundant,  its  constant  activity  and  its  far- 
reaching  note  at  once  command  attention,  and  dull  indeed  must 
be  the  cottager  or  chance  visitor  at  the  lake  who  has  not  been  at- 
tracted by  this  assertive  bird.  In  the  economy  of  the  aquatic  life 
of  the  lake  the  Kingfisher  is  one  of  the  most  important  factors. 
These  birds  have  their  favorite  perches,  usually  an  old  dead  tree, 
tall  stake,  or  some  limb  near  or  extending  over  the  surface  of 
the  water,  Vhich  they  will  frequent  for  days,  or  even  weeks,  at  a 
time.  From  this  station  they  watch  the  water  for  any  unsuspect- 
ing fish  that  may  come  too  near  the  surface.  They  are  always 
on  the  q^ii  vive  and  may  often  be  seen  dropping  into  the  water 
after  some  fish  that  has  been  observed.  Usually  the  attacks  are 
failures  and  the  bird  returns  to  its  post,  soon  to  repeat  the  per- 
formance, perhaps  with  better  success.     The  bird  usually  strikes 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         515 

the  water  with  a  splash ;  sometimes  two  individuals  strike  at  the 
same  fish  and,  failing,  one  chases  the  other  away,  uttering  its 
characteristic  scolding  note.  Now  and  then  the  bird  will  change 
its  base  and  go  to  some  distant  tree  where  it  will  remain  some- 
time, returning,  however,  sooner  or  later  to  its  regular  station. 

The  kingfishers  appear  quite  early  in  the  spring,  even  before 
the  ice  goes  off  the  lake,  and  they  remain  until  very  late  in  the 
fall,  at  least  until  the  lake  begins  to  freeze  over.  Indeed,  in  mild 
winters,  or  when  there  is  open  water  at  the  Outlet,  one  or  more  will 
probably  tarry  all  winter. 

In  1899  a  pair  remained  all  season  about  the  tip  of  Long  Point, 
and  another  pair  frequented  the  lake  immediately  in  front  of  the 
Arlington  station,  using  the  trees  nearby  as  resting  and  outlook 
stations.  They  were  often  observed  to  catch  fish.  One  or  more 
pairs  nest  each  season  in  the  cliff  at  the  Gravelpit. 

In  1900,  they  were  noted  all  summer  and  fall,  even  as  late  as 
December  30. 

In  1901,  one  was  observed  almost  daily  about  the  Outlet  from 
January  first  until  March  24,  after  which  several  were  seen 
throughout  the  summer. 

In  1902,  they  were  present  in  their  usual  numbers  during  the 
season.  In  1904,  they  were  noted  almost  daily  during  October  and 
November,  the  period  of  observations.  In  1906,  they  were  noted 
almost  daily  during  the  season.  In  1907,  our  observations  covered 
September  and  October  when  they  were  noted  almost  daily;  and 
in  1913,  they  were  present  during  September  and  October,  a  pair 
using  a  small  sycamore  tree  near  the  Chadwick  hotel  as  their  ob- 
servation station, 

78.     HAIRY  WOODPECKER 

DRYOBATES   VILLOSUS    (Linnjeus) 

Not  uncommon;  seen  every  month  in  the  year;  probably  resi- 
dent throughout  the  year.  Often  seen  or  heard  tapping  on  some 
limb  or  tree  trunk,  much  more  rapid  than  that  of  the  redheaded 
woodpecker,  but  less  clear  and  sonorous. 

Definite  date  records  are  as  follows : 

1900. — September  30,  one  noted  near  Delong;  October  12,  13, 
and  14;  November  11,  20,  and  22;  and  December  8,  13,  and  30, 
one  or  more  seen  or  heard,  often  quite  noisy, 

1901._January  7,  11,  20,  and  27;  February  4,  7,  10,  13,  15,  16, 
20,  and  26;  seen  or  heard,  April  7,  two  seen  and  heard  tapping 
responsively,  the  tapping  exceedingly  rapid,  not  so  sonorous  as 
that  of  the  redhead ;  one  seen  tapping  on  a  dead  aspen  stub ;  13th 


546         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

and  18th,  one  seen  near  Delong;  19th,  several  noted  in  various 
places  about  the  lake.  May  7,  one  on  Long  Point;  13th,  one  at 
the  willows  near  the  wagon  bridge  across  the  Outlet,  where  it 
was  often  seen. 

1902. — June  20,  one  seen  in  Chadwick's  yard. 

1904. — January  3,  one  noted  on  east  side.  October  18,  23,  24, 
25,  and  30 ;  November  1,  3,  4,  5,  15,  18,  19,  24,  and  25 ;  December 
10,  12,  13,  19,  21,  and  30,  seen  or  heard  or  both,  often  noisy. 

1906. — October  6  and  13,  and  November  12,  seen  and  heard. 

1907. — September  29,  first  seen  today,  in  swamp  at  side  of  rail- 
road across  from  the  birch  swamp.  October  5,  13,  and  15,  seen  in 
Farrar's  woods,  Walley's  woods,  and  near  Chadwick's. 

1913. — September  14,  three  seen,  2  flirting.  One  noted  on  28th 
and  one  October  4. 

The  Hairy  Woodpecker  is  evidently  less  common  than  the 
downy,  especially  near  the  lake.  A  little  distance  from  the  lake, 
particularly  in  Walley's  woods  and  along  Tippecanoe  River  near 
Delong,  it  was  more  often  seen. 

79.     DOWNY  WOODPECKER 

DRYOBATES   PUBESCENS   MEDIANUS    (Swainson) 

Much  more  common  than  the  last;  seen  or  heard  calling  or 
pecking  all  the  year  round,  usually  in  small  trees.  In  bright 
weather  one  finds  them  more  in  open  places,  and  when  colder  they 
take  to  more  sheltered  situations  or  deeper  woods.  They  are  more 
tolerant  of  civilized  conditions  than  any  other  of  the  woodpeckers 
and  are  frequently  found  in  orchards  or  trees  along  the  streets 
of  towns  or  cities,  industriously  pecking  away,  too  busy  to  notice 
a  quite  near  approach  of  people.  Probably  as  common  but  not 
generally  so  evident  during  the  summer  as  in  the  fall  and  winter. 

Among  our  definite  records  the  following  may  be  given : 

1899. — Not  often  noted,  but  doubtless  common. 

1900. — July  19,  seen  at  south  end  of  lake.  September  18,  noted 
at  Lapaz  Junction.  Noted  at  various  places  about  the  lake  Sep- 
tember 30,  October  3,  12,  13,  14,  November  10,  11,  20,  22,  24,  26, 
and  28,  and  December  1  and  6. 

1901.— Noted  January  6,  11,  20,  27  and  28;  February  7,  11, 
13,  14,  18,  20,  21,  and  23;  March  12,  17,  and  20;  April  7,  13,  and 
18 ;  May  7  and  13 ;  and  December  30. 

1902. — Noted  in  Chadwick's  yard  June  19  and  20,  October  20, 
and  November  2. 

1904. — One  seen  in  tamarack  swamp,  October  24. 

1906.— Noted  October  25,  28  and  31,  and  November  12  and  13. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         547 

1907.— Noted  September  11,  13,  22,  and  29,  and  October  14, 
17,  21,  28,  and  30;  and  November  1. 

1913. — Observed  or  heard  September  4,  11  to  15,  21,  23,  and 
29,  and  October  8,  12  and  28. 

80.     YELLOW-BELLIED  SAPSUCKER 

SPHYRAPICUS   VARIUS    (Linnaeus) 

Apparently  only  a  fall  and  spring  visitant,  and  not  often  seen, 
although  its  presence  is  evidenced  by  transverse  rows  of  holes  in 
the  linden  and  apple  trees  of  the  region.  The  senior  author  saw 
3  or  4  at  the  lake  April  6,  1885.  One  was  noted  on  a  trip  to 
Belong,  September  30,  1900,  one  thought  to  be  this  species  was 
heard  October  27,  and  another  was  noted  east  of  the  lake  Novem- 
ber 2.  In  the  fall  of  1913  one  was  seen  near  Chadwick's  on  Long- 
Point  September  5,  6,  and  28. 

81.     EED-HEADED  WOODPECKER 

MELANERPES  ERYTHROCEPHALUS   (Linnaeus) 

One  of  the  most  common  and  cheery  birds  of  the  region,  delight- 
ing in  the  vicinity  of  cottages  and  farm  dwellings  about  which 
are  found  old  trees;  frequenting  also  the  borders  of  woods  adjacent 
to  fields  or  other  open  ground.  It  is  a  permanent  resident  and 
may  be  seen  in  any  month  of  the  year.  During  the  winter  of 
1900-1901,  throughout  which  the  junior  writer  was  at  the  lake 
continuously,  the  Redheads  could  be  seen  any  day,  and  a  few 
probably  remain  every  v/inter.  They  are,  however,  not  so  abund- 
ant in  winter  as  in  summer,  and,  when  the  weather  is  particularly 
severe,  they  seek  the  more  protected  places  such  as  are  afforded 
by  the  timbered  strips  bordering  the  streams,  and  the  denser 
forests. 

With  the  return  of  warmer  days  they  are  more  in  evidence. 
In  the  spring-time  they  are  very  active,  flying  about  from  tree  to 
tree,  uttering  their  call  notes,  of  which  they  have  several  quite  dis- 
tinct from  each  other.  They  then  do  a  great  deal  of  hammering 
on  dead  limbs  and  upon  the  roofs  of  houses.  They  evidently  select 
limbs,  shingles  or  other  objects  with  considerable  discrimination 
with  regard  to  the  sonorous  effect  of  their  tattooing.  Certain 
shingles  or  boards  in  the  roofs  of  buildings  are  used  daily  for  a 
fortnight  or  more.  One  bird  discovered  that  the  end  of  a  stove- 
pipe that  projected  from  one  of  the  cottages  gave  particularly  fine 
results  and  it  was  utilized  with  unusual  frequency,  and  apparently 
to  the  bird's  great  satisfaction. 


548         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Ordinarily  one  would  not  suppose  that  the  redheaded  wood- 
peckers bear  any  direct  relation  to  the  aquatic  life  of  lakes  and 
streams,  but  that  they  do  bear  such  a  relation  was  determined 
by  us  in  the  fall  of  1913.  In  the  last  days  of  September  and  the 
early  part  of  October,  certain  species  of  Dipterous  insects  of  the 
genus  Chironomus,  particularly  the  species  Chironomus  meri- 
dionaUs,  appeared  about  the  lake  in  untold  millions.  They  com- 
pleted their  metamorphoses  and  came  out  of  the  water  in  numbers 
innumerable,  swarming  through  the  air  and  literally  covering  the 
trunks  and  limbs  of  the  trees  and  shrubs  and  the  sides  of  houses, 
fences,  and  even  the  ground.  They  were  particularly  abundant 
on  Long  Point  where  we  observed  them  daily.  They  were  most  in 
evidence  in  the  late  afternoon  and  evening  and  we  were  surprised 
to  see  feeding  on  them  several  species  of  birds  which  we  had  not 
previously  known  to  do  so.  The  following  birds  were  observed 
feeding  actively,  chiefly  on  the  flying  insects,  but  sometimes  pick- 
ing them  from  the  trees  and  bushes:  Redheaded  Woodpeckers, 
song  sparrows,  yellow-billed  cuckoos,  barn  swallows,  yellow-rumped 
warblers,  nighthawks,  crow  blackbirds,  and  rusty  grackles.  One 
of  the  most  active  species  was  the  Redheaded  Woodpecker,  which 
usually  caught  the  insects  on  the  wing. 

This  illustrates  strikingly  the  futility  of  attempting  to  draw 
a  line  between  the  birds  that  sustain  a  relation  to  aquatic  life  and 
those  which  are  supposed  to  bear  no  such  relation. 

82.  RED-BELLIED  WOODPECKER 

CENTURUS  CAROLINUS    (Linnseus) 

Perhaps  the  rarest  woodpecker  of  this  region.  In  the  fall  of 
1899  two  or  three  were  seen  in  the  Tippecanoe  River  bottoms  near 
Belong,  and  again  on  September  30,  1900.  It  was  noted  about 
the  lake  October  27,  November  2,  11,  and  14,  and  December  11, 
20  and  31,  1900;  on  October  25  and  30,  November  2,  and  De- 
cember 12,  1904;  also  on  October  7  and  31,  1906. 

It  was  rarely  observed  on  the  west  side  of  the  lake.  It  was 
most  often  seen  in  the  bottom  land  along  the  Tippecanoe  River  near 
Delong,  and  on  the  east  side  of  the  lake. 

83.  YELLOWHAMMER;  FLICKER 

COLAPTES  AURATUS    (Linnseus) 

Quite  common  about  the  lake  and  in  the  neighboring  fields  and 
woodlands.  Probably  a  permanent  resident  but  rare  in  winter; 
our  notes  record  it  for  every  month  except  January  and  Febru- 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         549 

ary.  It  frequents  the  open  places  and  is  seen  often  on  the  gi-ound. 
One  or  more  pairs  could  be  seen  at  any  time  on  Long*  Point  or 
in  Farrar's  and  Walley's  woods. 

Like  the  redheaded  woodpecker,  the  the  Yellowhammer  often 
beats  a  tattoo  on  the  shingles  or  metal  roof  of  a  house. 

84.     WHIPPOORWILL 

ANTROSTOMUS  VOCIFERUS    (Wilson) 

The  Whippoorwill  does  not  seem  to  be  at  all  common  in  the 
region  of  the  lake,  although  conditions  seem  suitable.  They  are 
probably  more  common  on  the  east  side  where  there  are  stretches 
of  rather  dry,  but  dense,  woodland.  One  was  heard  on  April  25, 
1901,  and  another  was  seen  east  of  the  lake  May  3,  1901.  Not 
heard  at  all  during  the  summer  of  1906. 

85.     NIGHTHAWK 

CHORDEILES   VIRGINIANUS    (Gmelin) 

The  Nighthawk  or  Bullbat  is  a  common  spring  and  fall  mi- 
grant in  this  part  of  the  state.  They  appear  in  considerable  num- 
bers in  May  and  early  June,  when  they  may  be  seen  evenings  and 
on  gloomy  days  circling  about  over  the  lake  much  like  the  black 
tern  with  which  they  sometimes  associate,  skimming  and  dipping, 
evidently  after  the  insects  on  which  they  feed.  In  June  they  all 
leave  for  farther  north  and  none  is  seen  again  until  about  the 
middle  of  August  (August  18,  1900).  By  the  last  week  in  August 
they  are  quite  abundant,  and  large  numbers  may  be  seen  circling 
about  over  the  lake  and  meadows.  By  the  first  week  in  October 
all  have  departed  for  the  south ;  our  latest  record  is  October  3. 

86.     CHIMNEY  SWIFT 

CH^TURA  PELAGICA   (Linnaeus) 

Common  throughout  the  summer.  Our  definite  records  are  as 
follows : 

1902. — June  19,  one  seen  circling  about  Long  Point,  and  again 
noted  on  the  20th. 

1907. — September  30,  a  number  seen  at  Belong  late  in  the  even- 
ing, and  the  next  day  a  like  number  at  the  lake. 

1913. — September  13,  15,  21,  and  29,  many  noted,  and  on  Oc- 
tober 9,  3  or  4  were  seen  flying  over  Lost  Lake. 

In  1882,  the  senior  author  found  a  nest  of  the  Chimney  Swift  in 
a  hollov,'  hickory  snag  near  Burling-ton,  Indiana. 


550         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

In  1883  and  again  in  1884  a  pair  built  their  nest  on  the  inner 
side  of  the  door  of  the  outhouse  at  the  Vandalia  station  at  Cam- 
den, Ind.  This  outhouse  was  in  daily  use  but  the  ticket  agent  gave 
instructions  that  the  birds  should  be  disturbed  as  little  as  possible. 
The  birds  entered  the  building  through  a  hole  cut  in  the  gable. 
When  anyone  entered  the  building  the  bird  would  usually  leave  the 
nest,  but  when  care  was  used,  she  sometimes  remained  on  the  nest. 
A  brood  of  young  was  raised  each  year. 

In  late  summer  and  early  fall  the  chimney  swifts  gather  up  in 
great  numbers  in  the  evening  and  roost  in  some  chimney  of  the 
neighborhood.  One  such  roost  was  in  the  chimney  of  the  Baptist 
church  on  North  Sixth  Street  in  Terre  Haute,  at  least  from  1887 
to  1891.  A  similar  roost  was  in  the  chimney  of  the  Methodist 
Church  in  Flora,  Indiana,  where  the  birds  were  observed  in  great 
numbers  every  fall  from  1899  to  1903,  and  perhaps  later. 

87.     RUBY-THROATED  HUMMINGBIRD 

ARCHILOCHUS  COLUBRIS    (Linnaeus) 

Not  common.  In  1899  they  were  noted  through  August  and 
September.  On  July  22,  1900,  two  were  noted  below  Lost  Lake, 
one  (a  female)  at  a  hickory  tree,  from  which  it  was  evidently  se- 
curing sugar.  The  last  one  seen  this  year  was  on  September  28, 
at  work  on  the  flowers  of  Nabalus.  In  1901  the  first  was  seen 
along  the  road  north  of  Green's  marsh  May  14,  and  on  June  2 
one  was  seen  working  at  the  blossoms  of  Scrophnlaria  leporella 
which  seems  to  be  one  of  their  favorite  flowers.  In  1906  they 
were  noted  occasionally,  when  it  was  observed  that  they  were 
fond  of  hovering  over  the  flowers  of  the  touch-me-not  which  grew 
along  the  edges  of  the  lake.  The  last  one  of  1907  was  seen  Sep- 
tember 13  in  Farrar's  woods.  In  1913,  one  was  seen  in  the  after- 
noon of  September  4,  near  Norris  Inlet. 

88.     KINGBIRD 

TYRANNUS  TYRANNUS    (Linnaeus) 

Rather  common  summer  resident.  In  1900  they  were  particu- 
larly abundant.  On  August  24  of  that  year  a  very  unusual  sight 
was  observed  on  Long  Point.  The  day  was  threatening  and  a 
storm  was  approaching,  when  a  flock  of  about  50  Kingbirds  ap- 
peared and  alighted  in  the  trees  on  the  point.  They  remained  to- 
gether until  the  storm  abated  when  they  scattered.  The  first  ar- 
rivals in  the  spring  appear  at  least  as  early  as  May  2,  and  the 
birds  have  been  noted  as  late  as  September  19. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         551 
89.     CRESTED  FLYCATCHER 

MYIARCHUS  CRINITUS    (Linnaeus) 

Apparently  not  common  summer  resident.  Noted  July  8,  1899 ; 
July  17,  1900 ;  June  19  and  20,  1902 ;  and  August  9,  1906.  Usually 
a  pair  could  be  seen  at  the  edge  of  Walley's  woods  next  the  rail- 
road. One  was  seen  in  the  woods  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  track, 
with  a  cast-off  snakeskin  which  it  was  evidently  intending  to  use 
in  its  nest. 

90.     PEWEE 

SAYORNIS  PHCEBE    (Latham) 

The  common  Pewee  or  Phoebe  is  one  of  the  most  domestic  and 
sociable  little  birds  among  the  summer  residents.  They  are  among 
the  first  arrivals  in  the  spring  and  among  the  last  to  leave  in  the 
fall.  Our  earliest  spring  record  is  March  14  (1902),  and  the  latest 
date  when  observed  in  the  fall  is  October  16  (1906).  In  1901. 
they  arrived  on  March  19. 

Several  pairs  nest  in  the  porches  of  the  cottages  and  a  pair 
can  always  be  found  at  the  bridge  across  the  Outlet.  They  begin 
nesting  early  in  April.  The  nest  at  the  Outlet  bridge  contained 
eggs  May  13,  and  the  young  birds  left  the  nest  June  25. 

91.     WOOD  PEWEE 

MYIOCHANES  VIRENS    (Linnaus) 

A  fairly  common  sununer  resident ;  a  few  to  be  seen  in  suitable 
places  at  any  time  between  May  and  October. 

Noted  July  8  and  October  2  and  3,  1899 ;  up  to  September  29, 
1900 ;  June  19  and  20,  1902 ;  October  23,  1904 ;  July  25,  1906 ;  Sep- 
tember 11,  12,  13,  and  29,  1907;  and  September  4,  5,  6,  9,  10,  and 
13,  1913.     A  pair  nested  in  a  tree  in  Chadwick's  yard  in  1906. 

92.  ALDER  FLYCATCHER 

EMPIDONAX  TRAILLI  ALNORUM  Brewster 

A  rare  summer  resident.  One  seen  on  Long  Point  August  4, 
and  another  in  Farrar's  woods  September  13,  1907.  Others  noted 
September  15,  28  and  29,  1913.  No  specimens  were  collected  and 
the  identification  is  subject  to  verification. 

93.  LEAST  FLYCATCHER 

EMPIDONAX  MINIMUS   (W.  M.  &  S.   F.  Haiid) 

A  rare  summer  resident.  Noted  in  July  and  August,  1899,  and 
July  20,  1900. 


552         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

94.     HORNED  LARK 

OTOCORIS  ALPESTRIS    (Linnseus) 

A  not  very  common  spring  and  fall  visitant,  or  probably  resi- 
dent from  fall  to  spring;  apparently  not  present  in  summer.  Our 
records  are  as  follows:  September  29,  1899,  a  flock  of  12  seen 
flying  over  the  lake.  October  19,  1900,  two  seen  flying  southwest 
over  the  lake  and  calling,  and  on  November  9,  several  seen  flying. 
April  9,  1901,  two  seen  in  a  road  west  of  lake;  February  20  and 
21,  three  seen ;  March  1  and  7,  other  seen ;  November  4,  1906,  one 
seen  west  of  lake. 

95.     BLUE  JAY 

CYANOCITTA  CRISTATA    (Linnaeus) 

One  of  the  most  common  and  conspicuous  birds  about  the  lake; 
heard  or  seen  nearly  every  day  in  the  year,  and  by  all  means  the 
most  noisy  bird  in  the  region.  They  are  most  noisy  in  autumn, 
mingling  their  various  calls  with  the  sound  of  dropping  nuts. 
They  were  noted  as  particularly  noisy  October  4,  1904.  They  be- 
come very  noisy  whenever  they  find  an  owl.  They  have  many 
voices  and  probably  mock  other  birds.  A  very  common  call  is  one 
that  sounds  precisely  like  that  of  a  red-tailed  hawk.  They  have  one 
really  musical  call,  "linnet,"  "linnet,"  usually  heard  in  the  spring, 
and  low  confiding  chats  during  the  courting  season.  Some  old  nests 
were  found  in  the  woods  along  the  east  side  of  Long  Point.  In  1906 
they  were  heard  or  seen  almost  every  day  about  the  lake.  August 
5,  one  appeared  to  be  trying  to  mock  a  catbird ;  and  on  Septem- 
ber 17  one  was  heard  trying  to  vv^arblo. 

96.     COM]\ION  CROW 

CORVUS   BRACHYRHYNCHOS   Brehm 

Crows  are  a  rather  common  permanent  resident.  In  summer 
they  rarely  or  never  come  very  near  the  lake  shore.  Almost  every 
day  a  few  may  be  seen  flying  at  some  distance,  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
cultivated  farms  lying  back  from  the  lake,  or  on  fine  mornings  their 
far-off  cawing  may  be  heard.  It  is  probable  that  they  breed  in  the 
forest  back  of  the  lake.  In  the  winter  the  birds  are  often  seen 
walking  about  on  the  ice  picking  up  any  bit  of  dead  fish  that  they 
may  find.  Where  ice-fishing  was  carried  on  the  fishermen  fre- 
quently left  dead  bait-minnows  or  sometimes  small  perch  they  had 
caught,  on  the  ice  near  the  holes  through  which  they  had  fished. 
The  crows  soon  found  these  and  ate  them,  picking  into  the  sides 
and  eating  the  stomach  first. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         553 

Although  in  some  parts  of  the  State  the  crow  is  regarded  as 
a  nuisance  and  is  taccused  of  eating  sprouting  corn  and  roasting- 
ears,  it  does  not  appeal-  to  be  so  abundant  here  as  to  become  an 
economic  factor  of  importance. 

97.     BOBOLINK 

DOLICHONYX   ORYZIVORUS    (Linnaus) 

A  rare  summer  resident.  Noted  August  5,  1899,  when  three  or 
foui-  were  seen  in  a  meadow  west  of  Culver  wiiere  they  were  evi- 
dently nesting.  Several  were  seen  May  10,  1901,  one  near  the 
Outlet  and  four  or  five  near  the  Arlington  station.  It  probably 
breeds  in  some  numbers  in  the  meadows  west  of  the  lake. 

98.     COWBIRD 

MOLOTHRUS  ATER    (Boddacrt) 

Not  rare  as  a  summer  resident;  arrives  about  the  middle  of 
April  and  remains  until  the  last  of  October. 

Of  all  the  birds  that  are  summer  residents  at  Maxinkuckee  the 
Cowbird  is  the  only  species  which  does  not  mate.  These  birds  re- 
main in  flocks  throughout  the  summer  and  small  flocks  may  be 
seen  at  almost  any  time.  We  have  noted  considerable  flocks  on 
April  18,  June  7,  September  23,  and  October  15,  24,  25  and  30. 

99.     REDWINGED  BLACKBIRD 

AGELAIUS  PHCENICEUS    (Linnaeus) 

One  of  the  most  abundant  and  interesting  summer  residents. 
They  arrive  from  the  south  usually  in  the  first  week  in  March,  the 
males  preceding  the  females  by  a  few  days,  and  remain  until  the 
last  of  November.  We  have  records  of  first  arrival  as  follows: 
March  4,  1899;  March  9,  1900;  March  8,  1901;  March  6,  1902; 
and  March  5,  1903.  Our  latest  records  for  the  fall  are  November 
29,  1900 ;  November  21,  1904 ;  and  November  6,  1907. 

During  the  time  between  early  March  and  late  November  they 
are  much  in  evidence  and  may  be  seen  in  numbers  in  all  suitable 
situations.  They  may  usually  be  found  in  abundance  about  Norris 
Inlet,  Green's  marsh,  the  Outlet,  Lost  Lake,  and  in  the  marshy 
ground  along  the  creek  below  the  little  lake.  In  September  and 
October,  1913,  they  were  unusually  abundant  and  fed  to  some  ex- 
tent on  Chad  wick's  roasting  ears.  On  September  21,  a  flock  of 
2,000  to  3,000  was  seen  in  the  evening  flying  southeast  below  Wal- 
ley's.  They  nest  in  the  cattails,  tules,  brushes  and  tall  grasses  in 
all  these  places.     The  nesting  season  begins  early  in  May  (May  10. 


554         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

in  1901)  ;  young  birds  have  been  observed  leaving  the  nest  May 
24,  and  fresh  eggs  have  been  seen  as  late  as  June  24  (1902),  when 
15  nests  were  found  on  an  area  not  exceeding  one  acre  in  Green's 
marsh. 

These  birds  are,  of  course,  more  or  less  musical  at  all  times  dur- 
ing their  stay,  but  it  is  in  the  fall  that  they  are  most  noticeable  as 
musicians.  Then  they  gather  up  in  great  flocks  and  on  bright 
sunny  days  hold  their  "campmeetings."  The  first  of  these  in  1900 
was  held  on  August  7  and  thereafter  for  two  months  or  more  they 
were  quite  frequent.  These  meetings  are  in  the  nature  of  con- 
certs or  choruses  and  are  remarkable  in  many  ways.  The  birds 
select  a  prominent  tree,  usually  isolated  from  others,  in  the  top 
of  which  they  congregate  and  remain  for  hours  pouring  forth  their 
soul  in  song.  Sometimes  they  move  to  another  tree  or  group  of 
trees  and  continue  the  chiorus. 

100.     MEADOWLAEK 

STURNELLA  MAGNA    (Linnaus) 

A  fairly  common  summer  resident ;  sometimes  arriving  as  early 
as  February  6  (1901),  and  remaining  until  October  or  November. 

101.     ORCHARD  ORIOLE 

ICTERUS   SPURIUS    (Linnseus) 

Summer  resident  but  not  common;  noted  only  in  April,  May, 
July  and  August,  in  Academy  grounds,  about  IMurray's,  on  Long 
Point,  and  in  nearby  orchards. 

Our  definite  dates  are  as  follows:  August  3,  1899;  July  19, 
1900 ;  April  30,  and  May  5,  7,  9,  15,  21,  23,  and  27,  1901. 

102.     BALTIMORE  ORIOLE 

ICTERUS  GALBULA    (Linnseus) 

Summer  resident,  arriving  late  in  April  and  remaining  until 
in  September.  One  of  the  most  cheery  birds  of  summer,  frequent- 
ing the  maples  and  other  trees  about  the  cottages.  Its  brilliant 
colors  and  musical  note  attract  attention  throughout  the  summer 
and  its  beautiful  pendent  nests  may  be  seen  in  the  late  fall  and 
winter  when  the  leaves  have  fallen  from  the  trees. 

We  have  definite  records  as  follows :  July  and  August,  1899 ; 
July  17  to  August  27,  1900;  April  29,  1901,  first  heard,  first  seen 
next  day,  and  almost  daily  from  then  on  until  late  in  the  sum- 
mer. A  fine  long  nest  was  seen  at  the  north  edge  of  Green's  marsh, 
and  the  young  were  frequently  heard  inside.     Another  nest  near 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         555 

Chadwick's.     Two  nests  noted  in  1902.     Seen  and  heard  July  28, 
and  August  15  and  23,  1906. 

103.     RUSTY  BLACKBIRD 

EUPHAGUS  CAROLINUS  (Muller) 

This  beautiful  blackbird  is  probably  a  rather  common  spring 
and  fall  migrant,  although  we  have  no  spring  records. 

In  1899,  a  considerable  flock  was  noted  October  15.  In  1904, 
3  or  4  birds  were  seen  October  23.  On  November  1,  1912,  a  fine 
male  in  perfect  plumage,  unable  to  fly,  was  captured  in  Chadwick's 
garden  on  Long  Point.  It  w^as  brought  into  the  house  where  it 
was  kept  for  an  hour.  In  this  time  it  fully  recovered  except  for  a 
slight  wing  injury.  It  ""'as  then  let  loose  among  the  trees  where 
it  seemed  quite  able  to  take  care  of  itself.  On  the  same  day  a 
flock  of  perhaps  a  hundred  blackbirds,  believed  to  be  this  species, 
was  seen  at  a  distance  in  Green's  marsh.  In  the  fall  of  1913,  rusty 
blackbirds'  were  noted  on  September  27,  and  October  6,  7  and  9, 
only  a  few  individuals,  however,  at  any  one  time.  On  Oct.  6,  a  fine 
male  was  observed  at  the  water's  edge  on  Long  Point  feeding  on 
the  casts  of  Chironomus  larvse  that  had  washed  up  on  the  shore 
in  great  quantities.  It  was  very  busy  feeding  on  the  casts  and 
upon  water  bugs  and  other  small  insects  on  the  shore,  and  so  in- 
tently was  it  engaged  that  it  allowed  us  to  approach  it  quite  closely. 
Several  others  were  observed  in  the  trees  nearby.  The  next  day 
several  rusty  blackbirds  were  seen  picking  adult  Chironomus  in- 
sects from  the  limbs  and  trunks  of  the  trees  on  Long  Point  on 
which  many  hundreds  of  the  millions  that  filled  the  air  had 
alighted. 

104.     BRONZED  CRACKLE 

QUISCALUS  QUISCULA  ^NEUS  RidRway 

The  common  Crackle  or  Crow  Blackbird  is  moderately  abund- 
ant as  a  summer  resident;  most  often  seen  about  the  marshes. 
Arrives  as  early  as  March  24  and  remains  at  least  as  late  as  Oc- 
tober 23. 

In  September  and  October,  1913,  they  were  particularly  abund- 
ant. On  September  3  and  4  at  least  50  were  seen  feeding  in  Chad- 
wick's yard,  and  they  continued  to  frequent  the  yard  in  consider- 
able numbers  for  some  weeks.  They  fed  to  some  extent  on  acorns 
that  had  been  freshly  crushed  by  people  stepping  on  them.  On 
September  24,  they  were  very  abundant  and  the  majority  were 
more  or  less  bob-tailed  and  unable  to  fly  well  on  account  of  their 
moulting  condition. 


556         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Forty  and  fifty  years  ago  the  crow  blackbirds  would  settle 
down  in  the  cornfields  when  the  corn  was  in  milk  and  in  a  few 
hours  do  great  damage  to  the  crop.  So  great  was  the  destruction 
that  farmers  found  it  necessary  to  be  on  the  qui  vive  and  drive 
them  from  the  fields  whenever  they  appeared. 

With  the  clearing  of  the  land,  particularly  with  the  reclama- 
tion of  the  wooded  swamps  in  which  these  birds  found  their  most 
congenial  nesting  sites,  plus  the  continuous  war  of  destruction  that 
was  waged  against  them,  the  crow  blackbirds  are  now  so  reduced 
in  numbers  as  to  do  practically  no  damage  anywhere.  And  now 
that  the  swamps  are  largely  gone  they  find  their  best  nesting  sites 
in  the  pine  and  other  coniferous  trees  planted  about  the  farmers' 
yards. 

105.     PURPLE  FINCH 

CARPODACUS   PURPUREUS    (Gmelin) 

A  rather  rare  spring  and  fall  visitor.  One  heard  November 
22,  1900.  February  13-24,  1901,  a  flock  seen  along  the  lake  shore 
feeding  on  rose  hips.  November  9-11,  1904,  a  flock  of  several  seen 
near  the  railroad  station  at  Culver,  seven  on  a  telegraph  wire  and 
others  in  a  pine  tree.  September  22,  1907,  one  noted  west  of  the 
lake.  September  6,  1913,  saw  and  heard  one  flying  northwest  in 
front  of  Chadwick  hotel,  and  on  11th,  saw  and  heard  six  to  eight 
flying  over  in  the  morning,  going  northwest. 

A  beautiful  bird  and  a  delightful  songster. 

106.     ENGLISH  SPARROW 

PASSER   DOMESTICUS   HOSTILIS   Kleinschmidt 

This  disreputable  bird  is  all  too  common,  but  fortunately  it  has 
not  yet  become  established  in  numbers  about  the  cottages  around 
the  lake.  In  the  town  of  Culver,  at  the  Academy,  and  about  the 
icehouses,  it  is  abundant.  Common  about  many  of  the  farmhouses 
of  the  surrounding  country. 

Recent  study  of  the  European  sparrow  by  a  German  ornitholo- 
gist led  him  to  recognize  several  distinct  forms  for  which  he  pro- 
posed subspecific  names.  The  form  occurring  in  England  and  the 
United  States,  he  described  as  Passer  domesticiis  hostilis. 

107.     CROSSBILL 

LOXIA   CURVIROSTRA   MINOR    (Bichm) 

A  rare  spring  and  fall  visitant.  Noted  on  November  22,  1900, 
October  31  to  November  6,  1906,  the  latter  record  being  of  a  flock 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         557 

of  six  seen  on  the  gTound  along-  the  waterfront  on  Long  Point,  pick- 
ing among  the  shells  and  at  intervals  uttering  call  notes.  They 
were  quite  musical  and  very  tame,  allowing  one  to  approach  quite 
near. 

108.     GOLDFINCH 

ASTRAGALINUS  TRISTIS   (Linnfcus) 

The  Goldfinch,  Thistlebird  or  Wild  Canary,  is  one  of  the  com- 
mon cheery  birds  at  the  lake  in  the  spring  and  fall  and  sparingly 
during  the  summer.  In  May  they  come  in  some  numbers  and 
may  be  seen  in  small  flocks  about  the  farms  back  from  the  lake 
or  along  the  railroad.  The  males  are  then  in  their  richest  plumage 
of  yellow  and  black.  They  do  not  nest  until  late  spring  or  even 
summer.  Then  an  occasional  nest  may  be  found  perhaps  in  a 
willow  near  the  lake  or  in  some  low  bush  at  the  edge  of  a  marsh. 
The  Goldfinch,  however,  is  oftenest  seen  in  October,  after  the  males 
have  moulted  and  taken  on  the  winter  plumage,  the  more  modest 
coat  which  the  females  wear  at  all  times.  Then  these  birds  may 
be  seen  in  open  places  in  small  flocks  about  the  lake,  in  orchards, 
along  the  railroad,  and  other  suitable  places,  feeding  upon  seed  of 
various  kinds,  such  as  thistles,  milkweed,  and  the  like. 

They  appear  to  feed  to  a  considerable  extent  on  the  seeds  of  the 
milkweed,  ragweed  and  evening  primrose,  also  the  dandelion, 
thistle  and  sunflower. 

Occasionally  they  remain  quite  late  in  the  fall ;  large  flocks 
were  seen  as  late  as  December  23,  1904. 

In  1906,  it  was  noted  nearly  every  day  during  our  stay  at  the 
lake  from  July  23  to  October  14.  On  July  28  it  was  first  heard 
singing  the  canary  song.  On  August  19  they  were  beginning  to 
flock,  and  their  singing  was  heard  throughout  the  autumn.  In 
1913,  they  were  noted  almost  daily  during  the  entire  period  of  our 
stay  at  the  lake — September  3  to  November  1. 

109.     SNOW  BUNTING;  SNOWFLAKE 

PLECTROPHENAX   NIVALIS    (Linnaeus) 

A  rare  and  infrequent  winter  visitant.  A  flock  of  12  to  15 
seen  by  Mr.  S.  S.  Chadwick  on  a  road  five  miles  southwest  of  tlio 
lake  January  12,  1902,  and  six  seen  by  him  at  his  house  on  Long 
Point  four  days  later.  A  flock  of  ten  seen  on  Long  Point  Novem- 
ber 1,  1906.  The  charactei*  of  Long  Point  had  been  changed  by 
the  removal  of  the  grove  of  trees,  and  millet  had  been  sown.  The 
Snowflakes  evidently  found  the  millet  and  the  flock  increased  daily 
for  several  days  until  it  finally  numbered  50  to  60  individuals. 


558         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

While  on  the  ground  feeding  they  scatter  over  considerable  area 
but  when  frightened  to  wing  they  form  a  compact  flock  which 
circles  about  some  time  with  musical  cries,  and  then  alight  a  little 
distance  away.  In  flight  they  present  a  very  pretty  scene,  remind- 
ing one  not  a  little  of  a  whirling  flurry  of  snow.  They  were 
usually  quite  fearless  or  unsuspicious,  rarely  taking  flight  until  ap- 
proached quite  closely.  They  even  paid  no  attention  to  gunshots 
only  a  short  distance  away  on  the  lake  shore.  They  remained  until 
the  15th. 

On  October  22,  1913,  three  appeared  on  Long  Point.  They 
were  seen  again  the  next  day.  On  the  24th  only  one  was  seen,  but 
two  were  noted  on  the  25th,  after  which  they  were  not  again  seen. 

110.     VESPER  SPARROW 

POOECETES   GRAMINEUS    (Gmelin) 

A  moderately  common  summer  resident,  arriving  early  in  April 
and  remaining  until  late  in  October;  nesting  on  the  ground  in  the 
fields;  noted  at  various  times  from  April  11  to  October  15.  Fre- 
quently seen  in  public  highways  and  easily  known  by  the  white 
outer  tail  feathers. 

Our  definite  dates  are  as  follows :  September  18  and  October 
15,  1899;  March  27,  April  11  and  20,  and  June  6,  7,  and  18,  1901; 
July  3,  1904;  October  13,  1906,  when  40  to  50  were  seen  in  a 
weedy  field  south  of  the  lake ;  September  22  and  23,  1907,  when  15 
to  20  were  seen  west  of  lake;  and  September  14,  25,  28,  and  30, 
and  October  5,  14,  and  19,  1913. 

111.     SAVANNA  SPARROW 

PASSERCULUS    SANDWICHENSIS   SAVANNA    (Wilson) 

A  rare  summer  resident;  noted  only  once,  October  24,  1904,  on 
road  between  the  lake  and  the  tamarack  swamp. 

112.     GRASSHOPPER  SPARROW 

AMMODRAMUS   SAVANNARUM   AUSTRALIS   Maynard 

This  little  bird,  one  of  the  most  dainty  and  attractive  of  the 
sparrows,  is  probably  rather  common  in  the  meadows  about  the 
lake.  As  its  haunts  lie  outside  of  the  zone  of  constant  observa- 
tion, and  as  it  is  not  conspicuous  either  to  sight  or  hearing  at  any 
great  distance,  records  concerning  it  are  rather  few.  About  the 
only  region  suitable  for  it  west  of  the  lake  is  Green's  clover  field, 
and  whenever  this   was  passed   during  the  summer,  the   Grass- 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         559 

hopper  Sparrow  was  usually  seen  and  heard.  It  was  noted  August 
5  and  October  16,  1899.  It  was  heard  and  seen  May  5,  11  and  17, 
and  throughout  the  summer  of  1901.  It  often  stays  near  the 
fences  or  margins  of  fields.  It  usually  chooses  a  stone  or  a  stump 
or  other  elevation  as  a  perch  while  singing  its  shrill  grasshopper- 
like song.  It  doubtless  breeds  in  the  region.  The  first  one  heard 
and  seen  in  1901  was  on  May  5,  and  they  were  noted  whenever  the 
clover  field  was  visited  after  that. 

The  Grasshopper  Sparrow  is  probably  not  one  of  the  aboriginal 
species  of  the  lake  region,  but  has  apparently  come  in  after  the 
clearing  up  of  the  forests.  It  is  one  of  the  meadow  birds  which, 
originally  dwellers  of  the  open  plains,  extend  their  range  with  the 
removal  of  the  forests,  taking  the  place  of  the  vanished  forest 
birds.  Its  life  is  subject  to  many  vicissitudes,  as  the  hay  is  some- 
times cut  during  its  nesting  season,  the  nests  destroyed,  its  whole 
landscape  rendered  unfamiliar,  and  the  birds  driven  away  to  other 
fields. 

113.     LECONTE'S  SPARROW 

PASSERHERBULUS   LECONTEl    (Audubon) 

Only  one  example  of  this  pretty  and  interesting  little  sparrow 
has  been  observed  by  us  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  On  the  morning 
of  September  29,  1913,  one  was  seen  on  the  north  side  of  Long 
Point  in  a  patch  of  Bulrush  (Scirpus  validus) .  When  disturbed 
it  would  run  rapidly  along  the  shore  among  the  rushes.  When 
too  closely  pressed,  and  only  then,  it  would  fly  a  short  distance, 
alighting  again  among  the  rushes  and  at  once  running  some  dis- 
tance, so  that  it  was  often  difficult  to  locate.  It  remained  on  this 
section  of  shore  all  day  where  it  was  observed  by  us  several  times. 
It  was  also  seen  the  next  day,  but  on  the  next  it  was  not  seen. 

This  species  is  probably  more  common  than  the  above  record 
would  indicate;  its  quiet,  elusive  movements  render  it  difficult  to 
see. 

114.     LARK  SPARROW 

CHONDESTES   GRAMMACUS    (Say) 

A  rare  summer  resident;  seen  occasionally  along  the  railroad 
or  the  roadside  at  the  edge  of  fields.  Our  notes  contain  no  definite 
records. 

115.     WHITE-CROWNED  SPARROW 

ZONOTRICHIA   LEUCOPHRYS    (J.   R.   F.Mster) 

Common  spring  and  fall  migrant.  First  seen  in  1899,  on  Oc- 
tober 15;  in  1900  on  September  28  and  30,  and  on  October  3,  12, 

36—17618 


560         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

and  14 ;  in  1904,  on  October  25 ;  and  in  1913  on  October  10.    Most 
frequent  along  fence  rows  and  the  borders  of  fields. 

Much  less  common  than  the  white-throated  sparrow. 

116.     WHITE-THROATED  SPARROW;  PEABODY  BIRD 

ZONOTRICHIA  ALBICOLLIS    (Gmelin) 

A  common  spring  and  fall  migrant ;  arriving  in  April  and  May 
in  the  spring,  and  in  October  in  the  fall.  October  15,  1899 ;  May  1 
and  13,  1901;  April  21,  1902,  large  flocks  west  of  lake;  October 
18,  21,  23,  and  25,  1904;  October  14,  1906;  October  13,  1907;  and 
October  4,  5,  11,  12,  15,  16  to  21,  and  24,  1913. 

This  interesting  sparrow,  so  well  known  in  New  England  and 
other  Eastern  States,  is  not  so  well  known  in  Indiana,  although 
quite  common  as  a  migrant.  Its  rather  plaintive  song,  which  has 
been  variously  interprettd  as  saying:  "I,  I,  peabody,  peabody,  pea- 
body,"  or  "Hard  Times,  Canada,  Canada,  Canada,"  may  be  heard 
both  in  the  spring  and  in  the  fall ;  we  have  heard  it  at  Maxinkuckee 
most  often  in  the  fall,  perhaps  because  our  opportunities  have  been 
best  at  that  season. 

117.     TREE  SPARROW 

SPIZELLA  MONTICOLA    (Gmelin) 

This  is  one  of  the  interesting  and  cheery  little  birds  that  come 
down  from  the  north  in  the  fall  and  spend  the  winter  with  us.  In 
October  and  later,  as  one  wanders  along  the  edges  of  fields  joining 
woods  or  thickets,  these  birds  may  be  seen  in  considerable  num- 
bers, feeding  on  seeds  of  various  kinds  of  weeds  and  flying  up 
into  the  bushes  and  smaller  trees  at  one's  approach.  On  cold, 
quiet,  sunny  days  their  song  may  often  be  heard.  They  are  often 
associated  with  snowbirds  or  j  uncos. 

In  1900  they  were  first  observed  November  11,  after  which 
date  they  were  seen  regularly  until  April  4,  about  which  time  they 
left  for  the  north.  In  1904  they  arrived  on  October  24,  and  in 
1906  as  early  as  September  16.  In  1913,  they  were  first  seen  Oc- 
tober 20.  Just  before  leaving  in  the  spring  they  perch  high  in 
the  bushes  or  smaller  trees  and  break  out  into  a  very  musical  little 
song,  quite  different  from  their  winter  twittering. 

118.     CHIPPING  SPARROW 

SPIZELLA  PASSERINA    (Bechstein) 

A  fairly  common  summer  resident ;  often  seen  about  the  farms. 
In  1899  noted  in  July  and  August;  in  1900  noted  July  to  Septem- 


Lake  Maxlnkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         561 

ber;  in  1901  it  was  first  seen  April  3,  after  which  it  was  frequently 
seen  and  heard.     In  1902,  it  was  noted  June  19  and  20. 

It  is  a  domestic  liitle  bird  and  may  be  seen  about  the  cottages, 
and  farmhouses,  where  its  nests,  constructed  largely  of  horsehairs, 
may  be  found  in  the  shrubbery. 

119.     FIELD  SPARROW 

SPIZELLA   PUSILLA    (Wilson) 

Tolerably  common  summer  resident.  Noted  July  8,  1899;  Sep- 
tember 30,  1900;  March  31,  and  April  6,  7,  8,  9,  11,  13,  14,  15,  17, 
18,  22,  24,  26,  and  on  to  May  28,  1901 ;  October  24,  1904 ;  August  16, 
1906 ;  and  September  22,  1907. 

120.     SLATE-COLORED  JUNCO;  SNOWBIRD 

JUNCO   HYEMALIS    (Linnasus) 

Abundant  in  flocks  during  winter,  usually  on  upland,  associated 
with  tree  sparrows.  Our  earliest  fall  records  are :  October  8, 
1899 ;  October  25,  1900 ;  October  21,  1901 ;  October  19,  1902 ;  Oc- 
tober 14,  1906 ;  October  12,  1907 ;  and  October  4,  1913.  Our  latest 
spring  record  is  April  28,  1901. 

As  the  time  for  their  spring  departure  approaches  they  become 
quite  musical,  and  their  cheerful  spring  song  may  be  often  heard 
in  the  last  days  of  March  and  in  April  until  they  leave. 

That  the  black  snowbirds  change  color  in  the  spring  and  be- 
come song  sparrows,  and  that  song  sparrows  change  back  to  black 
snowbirds  in  the  fall,  is  a  widespread  belief  among  the  non-orni- 
thological in  northern  and  central  Indiana. 

121.     SONG  SPARROW 

MELOSPIZA   MELODIA    (Wilson) 

Abundant,  especially  in  the  jungly  thickets  and  bushy  places 
along  the  shore  where  it  finds  protection.  It  probably  stays  in 
the  region  the  year  round  (it  certainly  did  in  1900-1901,  and  in 
the  winter  of  1904-05  so  long  as  observed,  to  January  3),  and  it 
sings  all  winter  through.  One  can  probably  hear  it  every  month 
in  the  year  and  on  every  bright  day  of  winter.  During  the  winter 
it  finds  a  good  deal  of  food  scratching  in  the  washed  up  piles  of 
Chara  and  other  weeds  along  the  water's  edge.  At  the  end  of 
September,  1913,  one  was  observed  eating  Chironomus  insects. 

Noted  almost  daily  during  our  stay  at  the  lake  in  1906,  singing 
almost  constantly  every  bright  day.     It  is  susceptible  to  weather; 


562         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

on  cloudy  cool  days  they  hide,  or  scold,  while  the  winter  wren, 
hidden  in  a  safe  covert,  warbles.  They  occasionally  sing  the  night 
through  in  fine  weather;  August  4  they  were  heard  singing  at  all 
hours  of  the  night.  They  seem  to  have  a  variety  of  songs.  July 
20,  one  was  noted  singing  a  peculiarly  sweet  warble,  and  also  on 
September  15.     In  October  an  albino  was  seen  at  Lost  Lake. 

Green's  marsh  is  a  place  where  they  can  always  be  found  and 
there  their  cheerful  song  many  be  heard  on  any  day  except  the 
stormiest.  This  flat  is  also  a  favorite  nesting  ground  for  the  Song 
Sparrow  and  many  nests  may  be  found  any  spring  in  the  button- 
wood  bushes  and  other  shrubs.  In  June,  1902,  several  nests  were 
found  within  an  area  of  a  few  square  rods.  Other  favorite  places 
for  this  species  that  may  be  mentioned  are  the  borders  of  Lost  Lake, 
the  bushes  fringing  the  lake  near  the  icehouses,  and  the  lake  shore 
from  above  Murray's  to  Farrar's ;  and  isolated  pairs  can  usually  be 
found  in  any  and  all  suitable  places. 

122.     SWAMP  SPARROW 

MELOSPIZA  GEORGIANA    (Latham) 

Probably  rare  summer  resident;  a  few  records  for  July  and 
September,  1899,  the  latter  part  of  September,  1900,  and  March 
24,  1901 ;  often  found  in  the  low  ground  about  Lost  Lake ;  seen  Sep- 
tember 15,  1913. 

123.     FOX  SPARROW 

ft 

PASSERELLA  ILIACA    (Merrem) 

Probably  a  common  spring  and  fall  migrant  but  not  often  ob- 
served by  us.  Noted  October  1  and  15,  1899 ;  October  2,  1904 ;  and 
October  13  and  28,  1906.  Most  often  seen  in  the  edges  of  the 
woods. 

In  Carroll  County,  some  50  miles  south,  this  sparrow  is  a  com- 
mon spring  and  fall  migrant. 

124.     TOWHEE;  CHE  WINK 

PIPILO  ERYTHROPHTHALMUS   (Linnaeus) 

Rather  common  from  early  spring  to  late  autumn,  usually  in 
brushy  places  and  along  old  fences.  Noted  from  July  17  to  Oc- 
tober 14,  1900 ;  first  noted  March  3,  1901,  and  last  on  October  21, 
1902.  Seen  rather  frequently  during  summer  of  1906,  the  last  one 
noted  October  25,  south  of  the  lake  in  a  sheltered  copse,  and  as  late 
as  October  24,  1907,  and  October  21,  1913. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         563 

125.     CARDINAL;  REDBIRD 

CARDINALIS  CARDINALIS    (Linnaeus) 

One  of  the  most  interesting  permanent  residents,  though  not 
very  common.  One  or  more  pairs,  however,  can  usually  be  seen 
in  Farrar's  woods,  another  down  by  Walley's,  and  others  in  suit- 
able situations  on  the  east  side. 

Our  definite  records  are  as  follows : 

December  3  and  18,  1900,  one  among  grape  vines  near  Murray's. 

February  26,  1901,  one  heard,  and  on  February  27,  one  seen  at 
Shady  Point;  March  3,  4,  7,  17,  and  24,  seen  or  heard;  April  19, 
a  pair  seen  northeast  of  lake,  and  one  heard  near  Farrar's  pond 
April  30. 

January  15,  1902,  two  seen  northwest  of  lake.  November  15, 
1904,  one  seen  near  mouth  of  Aubeenaubee  Creek.  December  10, 
a  pair  on  Tippecanoe  River;  13th,  a  pair  near  Farrar's;  14th,  a 
male  at  swamp  south  of  lake;  20th,  seen;  and  30th,  seen  near  Tip- 
pecanoe River.  July  29,  1906,  one  near  Farrar's,  and  three  seen 
near  the  lake  on  November  14. 

September  11,  1907,  a  male  at  small  kettlehole  in  Walley's 
woods,  two  at  south  end  of  lake  on  13th,  three  at  pond  near  Far- 
rar's on  22d,  and  one  south  of  lake  October  5.  October  6,  1913, 
two  or  three  seen  at  fence  south  of  Farrar's,  and  two  seen  October 
12. 

126.     ROSE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK 

ZAMELODIA   LUDOVICIANA    (Linnaeus) 

One  of  the  rarest  and  most  beautiful  of  our  birds.  Noted  Sep- 
tember 20,  1899 ;  and  in  spring  of  1900  and  September  18,  at  Lapaz 
Junction.  In  all  probability  a  summer  resident,  though  we  have 
not  found  its  nest  or  even  noted  it  in  the  summer.  In  Carroll 
County,  some  50  miles  south,  we  have  found  it  nesting. 

127.     INDIGO  BUNTING 

PASSEKINA  CYANEA   (Linnseus) 

Summer  resident,  not  rare.  One  or  more  pairs  seen  each  sum- 
mer at  the  edge  of  Overmyer's  field  south  of  Farrar's  and  another 
in  Van  Schoick's  orchard.  Probably  more  common  now  than  for- 
merly. One  seen  at  Lapaz  Junction  July  19,  1906,  singing  from 
a  telegraph  wire.  Heard  singing  all  summer  about  the  lake,  from 
tops  of  low  trees  or  telegraph  wires.  In  1900,  four  or  five  were 
seen  July  26  south  of  Farrar's.  On  September  18  several  young 
able  to  fly  were  seen  at  Lapaz  Junction.     On  September  20  sev- 


564         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

eral  were  noted  in  woods  at  edge  of  field  south  of  lake.     In  1901 
the  species  was  seen  May  22  and  often  thereafter.     In  1906  it  was 
noted  frequently.     It  is  often  seen  perched  on  the  telegraph  or 
telephone  wires  and  is  one  of  the  sweetest  songsters. 
It  is  one  of  the  earliest  birds  to  leave  in  the  fall. 

128.     DICKCISSEL 

SPIZA  AMERICANA    (Gmelin) 

Not  very  common  summer  resident;  one  is  likely  to  find  them 
in  tolerable  abundance  in  meadows,  but  they  rarely  or  never  stray 
from  the  boundaries  of  the  fields  they  inhabit  into  other  kinds  of 
country,  so  that  one  may  live  at  the  lake  the  year  round  and  be 
unaware  of  their  presence  unless  he  goes  meadowward.  In  1899 
a  few  were  noted  in  July ;  and  in  1901  from  May  22  on,  they  were 
seen  and  heard  whenever  favorable  localities  were  visited. 

129.     SCARLET  TANAGER 

PIRANGA  ERYTHROMELAS  Vieillot 

Summer  resident,  but  rare;  noted  in  July  and  on  September 
20,  1899;  July  18,  20,  and  22,  1900;  and  May  30,  1901.  Most  fre- 
quent in  open  woodlands,  such  as  Green's  woods. 

130.  PURPLE  MARTIN 

PROGNE   SUBIS    (Linnaus) 

Summer  resident;  rare  in  1899,  but  it  has  become  more  com- 
mon recently.  In  1899  it  was  noted  only  at  the  south  end  of  the 
lake  when  a  pair  apparently  were  nesting  in  a  hole  in  an  old  elm 
that  stood  on  the  lake  shore  just  west  of  Norris  Inlet.  They  were 
observed  again  the  next  year  (July  17  and  18)  at  the  same  place, 
the  old  birds  feeding  the  young.  On  June  20,  1902,  it  was  seen 
on  Long  Point.  In  1906  it  was  often  noted  between  July  20  and 
August  8.  In  1907  two  were  recorded  August  4.  In  1910  several 
were  seen  May  30  and  {?gain  on  July  4  about  the  town  of  Culver. 
On  September  3,  1913,  two  or  three  were  noted  at  Long  Point,  and 
four  or  five  seen  September  23. 

131.  CLIFF  SWALLOW 

PETROCHELIDON   LUNIFRONS    (Say) 

A  rather  common  summer  resident.  Noted  July  to  October  4, 
1899,  July  19  to  October  21,  1900,  and  September  9  to  24,  1913. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         565 

132.  BARN  SWALLOW 

HIRUNDO  ERYTHKOGASTRA   Boddatrt 

An  abundant  summer  resident,  arriving  as  early  as  April  6  and 
remaining-  at  least  until  the  middle  of  October.     On  October  12, 

1900,  a  large  flock  observed  flying  southeast  across  the  lake,  skim- 
ming, dipping,  turning  and  twittering.  In  1913,  noted  almost 
daily  from  September  2  to  24. 

133.  TREE  SWALLOW 

IRIDOPROCNE   BICOLOR    (Vicillot) 

The  Tree  Swallow  or  White-bellied  Swallow  is  a  common  spring 
and  fall  migrant  and  a  few  may  possibly  remain  to  breed.  On 
April  6  and  7,  1885,  they  were  abundant,  flying  about  over  the  west 
edge  of  the  lake,  alightijig  occasionally  on  the  limbs  of  a  dead  tree 
on  shore.  It  was  noted  almost  daily  from  April  4  to  29,  1901,  and 
June  20,  1902.  In  the  fall,  September  30  to  October  15,  1899; 
October  12  to  18,  1900;  October  9  to  24,  1906;  October  15  and 
16,  1907;  and  September  23  to  October  13,  1913.  On  Septem- 
ber 23,  30  to  40  were  seen  flying  over  Green's  marsh. 

Usually  in  large  flocks  in  the  fall.  On  October  12,  1906,  an 
immense  flock  observed  on  southeast  side  of  lake  circling  about  high 
in  air.  The  next  day  many  were  seen  perched  on  dead  trees  at 
south  end  of  the  lake. 

134.  BANK  SWALLOW 

RIPARIA   RIPARIA    (Linnseus) 

An  abundant  summer  resident,  nesting  in  holes  in  banks  and 
cliff's,  especially  at  the  Gravelpit. 

July  and  August,  1899,  abundant;  many  often  seen  sitting  on 
telegraph  wires,  as  does  also  the  cliff"  swallow.  Noted  July  8,  and 
October  1,  2,  4,  7,  10,  11,  12  and  16. 

Noted  September  30,  and  October  11,  1900;  I\Iay  9,  10,  and  14, 

1901.  June  19  and  20,  1902;  July  7,  12,  and  20,  1910;  and  Sep- 
tember 7  and  8,  1913. 

135.     ROUGH-WINCxED  SWALLOW 

STELGIDOPTERYX   SERRIPENNIS    (Audubon) 

Probably  a  common  summer  resident,  but  not  always  distin- 
guished from  the  bank  swallow.  Our  notes  contain  references  to 
it  only  in  July  and  August,  1899,  and  September  3,  1913. 


566         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 
136.     CEDAR  WAXWING;   CHERRY  BIRD;   CEDARBIRD 

BOMBY'CILLA   CEDRORUM   Vieillot 

Not  usually  much  in  evidence  during  the  summer ;  occasionally 
seen  during  the  winter;  usually  pretty  abundant  at  times  in  au- 
tumn; and  often  very  abundant  during  the  spring,  at  that  season 
moving  in  large  flocks  among  the  treetops  apparently  feeding 
largely  upon  buds  and  perhaps  to  some  extent  on  early  insects.  In 
1901,  on  May  22,  23,  24,  25,  27,  29,  and  31,  they  were  present  in 
large  numbers  among  the  trees  west  of  the  lake,  the  flocks  ap- 
parently consisting  of  between  200  and  300  birds,  the  treetops 
being  full  of  them  and  the  notes — weak  and  lisping  from  individual 
birds — were  so  continuous  from  the  great  number  of  birds  present 
that  the  united  eft'ect  was  conspicuous  enough  to  attract  even  the 
most  inattentive,  and  was  by  no  means  unmusical.  It  is,  indeed, 
this  lisping  whisper  that  usually  attracts  attention  to  the  birds 
when  they  travel  about  even  in  small  flocks.  The  greater  abund- 
ance of  these  birds  in  spring  and  autumn  seems  to  indicate  that, 
though  a  fair  number  are  to  be  found  the  year  round  at  the  lake, 
the  greater  number  are  migrants,  moving  through  to  the  north- 
ward in  the  spring  and  back  to  the  south  again  in  autumn. 

On  their  southward  journey  in  autumn  they  are  accompanied 
by  their  young,  which  they  are  frequently  observed  feeding  on 
various  wild  fruits.  In  spite  of  their  continuous  large  numbers, 
they  do  not  appear  to  be  the  birds  which  make  the  greatest  raids 
on  the  stores  of  wild  autumn  fruits  such  as  grapes,  Cornus  ber- 
ries, etc.,  which  are  to  be  found  on  the  bushes,  vines,  and  trees 
about  the  lake ;  their  movements  are  rather  too  rapid.  The  glean- 
ing is  mostly  done  by  the  delaying  robins  and  bluebirds,  by  the 
passing  thrushes  and  white-throated  sparrows,  and  still  more  by 
the  remaining  tree  sparrows. 

The  following  are  our  autumn  records : 

1899. — October  18,  several  seen  near  Culver  cemetery. 

1904, — October  23,  one  noted  on  the  east  side;  October  30,  a 
flock  seen  near  the  village  of  Maxinkuckee ;  December  24,  a  good 
flock  on  a  tree  on  Long  Point,  some  seemed  to  be  feeding  on  wild 
grapes.  On  December  31,  two  flocks  were  seen  down  by  the  Tip- 
pecanoe River. 

1906. — September  8,  one  heard  and  seen  at  Culver ;  September 
9,  seen.  September  14,  an  old  one  noted  by  Farrar's  feeding  her 
clamoring  young  on  wild  grapes ;  on  the  same  date  a  dead  one  was 
picked  up  on  shore,  which  was  sent  to  the  U.  S.  National  Museum 
(No.  08746). 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         567 

On  one  occasion  in  early  autumn  in  a  woods  in  Wisconsin  the 
old  waxwings  were  observed  feeding  the  berries  of  the  "pigeon 
oak"  or  white  berried  dogwood,  Cornus  femina,  to  their  well- 
grown  and  feathered  young  which  were  perched  on  a  bough  in 
a  row. 

137.     WHITE-RUMPED  SHRIKIE 

LANIUS  LUDOVICIANUS  EXCUBITOUIDES  Swainson 

Summer  resident,  possibly  a  permanent  resident,  though  we 
have  never  observed  it  in  this  vicinity  in  winter.  It  frequents  old 
hedges  and  fencerows  along  public  highways.  We  have  noted 
it  October  3  and  November  11,  1900 ;  March  24,  1901 ;  and  August 
9,  1906.  It  was  most  often  observed  along  the  roads  northwest  of 
the  lake  toward  Yellow  River. 

138.  RED-EYED  VIREO 

VIREOSYLVA   OLIVACEA    (Linnteus) 

A  not  very  common  summer  resident.  Noted  as  common  July 
to  September,  and  on  October  4,  1899 ;  July  17  and  19,  and  Sep- 
tember 18,  1900 ;  July  3,  1904 ;  August  29  and  Sept.  6,  1906 ;  Au- 
gust 4  and  September  12  and  22,  1907;  and  September  14,  1913. 
Probably  more  common  than  these  few  records  would  indicate. 

139.  WARBLING  VIREO 

VIREOSYLVA  GILVA    (Vieillot) 

Common  summer  resident ;  its  sweet  liquid  warble  heard  nearly 
every  day  of  summer  from  the  leafy  tree-tops.  Noted  on  August 
4,  1899.  In  1900  it  was  common  on  various  dates  in  July.  In 
1901  it  was  first  heard  April  27  on  Long  Point  and  on  almost  every 
day  thereafter. 

June  19  and  20,  1902,  two  or  three  pairs  seen  on  Long  Point 
warbling  merrily.  On  July  1  a  pair  was  seen  attacking  a  robin 
that  was  sitting  on  her  nest  in  a  tree  just  in  front  of  the  Chadwick 
hotel.  The  robin  flew  from  the  nest  and  out  after  them,  with 
feathers  ruffled  and  evidently  very  angry.  She  drove  them  into 
another  tree  some  20  feet  away,  then  retui'ned  to  her  tree,  when 
one  of  the  vireos  followed  and  renewed  the  attack  or4y  to  be 
driven  away  again.  The  vireos  would  always  retreat  when  the 
robin  got  after  them.  They  would  attack  the  robin  only  when  she 
was  quiet  or  when  flying  away  from  the  vireos.  Why  they  at- 
tacked the  robin  was  not  evident;  perhaps  their  own  nest  was 
near  by. 

In  1906  this  species  was  noted  at  various  times  between  July 


568         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

21  and  September  9 ;  in  1907  it  was  seen  September  13  and  22, 
and  in  1913,  one  or  more  were  noted  almost  daily  September  3 
to  14,  in  the  oaks  and  hickories  about  the  Chadwick  hotel  warbling 
sweetly,  often  quite  early  in  the  morning  before  people  were  astir. 

140.     YELLOW-THROATED  VIREO 

LANIVIREO  FLAVIFRONS   (Vieillot) 

A  rare  spring  and  fall  migrant.  Several  seen  in  Farrar's 
woods  September  13,  1907. 

141.     BLACK  AND  WHITE  WARBLER 

MNIOTILTA  VARIA    (Linnaeus) 

Spring  and  fall  migrant,  or  probably  a  rare  summer  resident; 
apparently  not  common.  Noted  in  July,  1899,  in  Overmyer's 
woods  at  south  end  of  lake,  where  it  was  again  observed  Sep- 
tember 17,  1906.  One  seen  September  11,  1907,  at  a  small  kettle- 
hole  in  Walley's  woods.  One  seen  September  15,  and  another 
October  1,  1913,  on  Long  Point. 

142.  NASHVILLE  WARBLER 

VERMIVORA   RUBRICAPILLA    (Wilson) 

Probably  a  common  spring  and  fall  migrant.  Noted  October 
10,  1900,  when  one  was  found  dead  at  water's  edge  on  east  side  of 
lake;  September  29,  1907,  one  or  more  near  the  birch  swamp;  and 
October  1,  3,  and  7,  1913,  several  busily  feeding  in  the  cotton- 
woods  on  Long  Point. 

143.  TENNESSEE  WARBLER 

VERMIVORA   PEREGRINA    (Wilson) 

Spring  and  fall  migrant,  probably  not  rare.  Several  noted 
September  11,  1907,  at  a  small  kettlehole  in  Walley's  woods,  and 
others  two  days  later  at  south  end  of  lake ;  noted  also  September 
29,  1907,  opposite  the  birch  swamp. 

144.     YELLOW  WARBLER 

DENDROICA  ESTIVA    (Gmeiin) 

Our  most  abundant  summer  resident  warbler.  Daily  observ- 
able throughout  the  summer,  singing  in  numbers  especially  in 
the  mornings  before  sunrise  and  nesting  quite  commonly  in  the 
low  bushes  which  fringe  the  lake  and  the  borders  of  marshes  and 
kettleholes.     Definite   records   are  as   follows:     August   1,    1900; 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         569 

April  26  to  30,  May  1  and  15,  and  June  2  and  20,  1901;  June 
19,  20.  and  24,  1902 ;  July  3,  190 1 ;  July  28  and  August  1  and 
8,  1906.  Nests  with  eggs  found  May  15  and  June  24 ;  with  young 
June  2  and  20.  One  nest  with  three  eggs  June  24,  1902,  2},  feet 
from  ground  in  a  buttonbush  in  Green's  marsh. 

145.     BLACK-THROATED  BLUE  WARBLER 

DENDROICA   C^RULESCENS    (Gmclin) 

Spring  and  fall  migrant,  but  apparently  rare.  One  seen  Sep- 
tember 16,  several  October  9,  1906,  in  Overmyer's  woods;  a  fine 
male  September  11,  1907,  at  a  small  kettlehole  in  Walley's  woods, 
and  another  October  4,  1907,  on  Long  Point. 

146.     MYRTLE  WARBLER 

DENDROICA  CORONATA   (Linnajus) 

The  Myrtle  or  Yellow-rumped  Warbler  is  the  most  abundant 
warbler  found  in  this  region.  It  is  quite  common  during  the  mi- 
grations, arriving  early  in  the  spring  but  soon  passing  on  north. 
Returning  early  in  the  fall  it  remains  quite  late,  even  into  winter. 
Our  fall  records  are  as  follows:  September  28  and  October  4  and 
16,  1899;  September  18,  28,  29,  and  30,  and  October  17,  18  and 
24,  1900 ;  October  21  and  23,  1902 ;  October  18,  23  and  25,  1904 ; 
October  7,  9,  10,  11,  13,  17,  23,  25,  and  30,  1906;  October  4,  5,  7, 
10,  11,  12,  13,  14,  15,  and  16,  1907 ;  and  September  14  to  October 
21,  1913.  On  most  of  these  dates  it  was  abundant.  On  October 
10,  1906,  just  after  a  severe  snowstorm,  many  of  these  warblers 
came  about  the  cottages  eating  flies  from  the  windows  and  porches, 
and  were  quite  tame. 

They  may  usually  be  seen  in  the  fall  in  considerable  numbers, 
trooping  through  the  bushes  and  low  trees,  especially  those  that 
skirt  the  lake. 

On  October  5,  1913,  these  warblers  were  seen  feeding  greedily 
upon  Chironomus  insects  that  had  just  completed  their  meta- 
morphosis and  emerged  from  the  water.  The  warblers  would  pick 
them  from  the  limbs  and  trunks  of  the  trees. 

]47.     MAGNOLIA  WARBLER 

DENDROICA   MAGNOLIA    (Wilson) 

Spring  and  fall  migrant,  not  often  seen.  Noted  by  us  only  on 
September  17  and  October  3,  5  and  9,  1906,  and  September  28,  29 
and  30  and  October  1  and  20,  1913.  On  these  last  dates  they 
were  frequent  in  the  cottonwoods  on  Long  Point. 


570         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

148.     BAY-BREASTED  WARBLER 

DENDROICA  CASTANEA    (Wilson) 

Probably  not  rare  during  the  migrations.  Our  only  records  are 
September  30,  1900,  when  several  were  seen  near  Belong,  and  Sep- 
tember 29,  1907,  when  one  or  more  were  noted  near  the  birch 
grove  in  Walley's  woods. 

149.     BLACK-POLL  WARBLER 

DENDROICA  STRIATA    (J.  R.   Forster) 

Probably  a  common  spring  and  fall  migrant.  Our  only  rec- 
ords, however,  are  September  25  and  October  1,  1913,  on  each  of 
which  dates  several  were  seen  feeding  among  the  poplars  on  Long 

Point. 

150.     BLACKBURNIAN  WARBLER 

DENDROICA   FUSCA    (Muller) 

The  only  example  seen  by  us  at  the  lake  was  a  fine  male  in  per- 
fect plumage  on  Long  Point,  October  1,  1913.  As  it  is  a  rather 
common  spring  and  fall  migrant  in  Indiana  it  is  probably  not 
uncommon  about  the  lake  during  the  migrations. 

151.     BLACK-THROATED  GREEN  WARBLER 

DENDROICA  VIRENS    (Gmelin) 

Probably  a  common  migrant,  most  abundant  in  October.  In 
1900  it  was  noted  October  2,  3,  5,  6,  and  12 ;  in  1906,  on  October 
4,  5,  6,  and  7;  and  in  1913,  on  September  14,  15,  17  to  20,  and 
October  1 ;  usually  quite  abundant. 

152.     PALM  WARBLER 

DENDROICA  PALMARUM    (Gmelin) 

Apparently  rare ;  oui'  only  records  are  October  7,  1899,  and  Sep- 
tember 13,  1913,  when  several  were  seen  along  the  fence  rows 
at  the  northwest  edge  of  Lost  Lake. 

153.     OVEN-BIRD 

SEIURUS  AUROCAPILLUS    (Linnaeus) 

Not  common ;  one  seen  in  Farrar's  woods  Septembeer  13,  1907. 
154.     MARYLAND  YELLOW-THROAT 

GEOTHLYPIS   TRICHAS    (Linnaeus) 

One  of  the  most  common  summer  residents,  breeding  in  the 
grass  at  the  edges  of  the  marshes.     Noted  July  8  to  October  4, 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         571 

1899;  July  17  to  September  18,  1900;  April  29  to  July,  1901  (en- 
tire period  of  observation);  June  19  and  20,  1902;  September 
17,  1906;  September  22  to  October  3,  1907;  and  September  9  to 
October  7,  1913.  Several  pairs  nesting  each  year  in  Green's  marsh 
and  in  other  suitable  places  about  the  lake. 

155.     HOODED  WARBLER 

WILSONIA  CITRINA   (Boddacrt) 

A  rare  spring  and  fall  migrant.     One  seen  October  12,  1900. 

156.     REDSTART 

SETOPHAGA  RUTICILLA    (Linnaus) 

Summer  resident,  apparently  rare.  Our  only  records  are  Au- 
gust 28,  1906,  when  one  was  observed  in  Overmyer's  woods ;  and 
in  1907,  September  11,  2  females  or  young  at  the  small  kettlehole 
in  Walley's  woods ;  September  13,  a  female  at  south  end  of  lake ; 
and  September  29,  a  female  near  Walley's  birch  swamp, 

157.     PIPIT 

ANTHUS  RUBESCENS    (Tunstall) 

The  Pipit  or  Titlark  is  a  somewhat  erratic  spring  and  fall  mi- 
grant. November  2,  1902,  several  were  seen  near  the  tamarack 
swamp  ;  about  a  dozen  seen  October  24,  between  the  lakes  and  about 
a  hundred  on  Long  Point,  October  31,  1907. 

158.     CATBIRD 

DUMATELLA  CAROLINENSIS    (Linnaeus) 

This  well-known  bird  is  a  common  summer  resident,  found  in 
all  suitable  places  about  the  lake.  Nest  with  eggs  seen  i\Iay  15, 
and  young  June  2 ;  young  able  to  fly  June  16.  The  Catbirds  arrive 
at  least  by  April  29  and  remain  as  late  as  October  11.  On  June 
17,  one  was  observed  to  stop  in  midsong  and  snap  a  medium-sized 
dragonfly. 

159.     BROWN  THRASHER 

TOXOSTOMA  RUFUM   (Linnseus) 

Summer  resident,  but  not  common;  a  few  seen  nearly  every  day 
in  summer  when  looked  for.  Noted  as  rare  in  July  and  August, 
1899.  On  July  26,  1900,  8  to  10  were  seen  south  of  Farrar's; 
others  seen  up  to  September  20.  In  1901  they  were  quite  fre- 
quently heard  and  seen  after  April  5,  the  date  of  arrival,  and  one 
nest  was  found  on  the  east  side  by  Van  Schoiack's.     Noted  June 


572         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

20,  1902,  September  11  and  22,  1907;  and  September  14  and  20, 
1913.     Most  frequent  along  old  hedgerows  and  edges  of  woods. 

160.     HOUSE  WREN 

TROGLODYTES  AEDON  Vieillot 

Not  very  common  summer  resident ;  usually  seen  near  buildings 
or  orchards.  Noted  September  29,  1899 ;  April  9  and  13,  and  June 
7,  and  often  thereafter  in  1901 ;  also  on  September  20,  1913. 

161.     WINTER  WREN 

NANNUS   HIEMALIS    (Vieillot) 

Probably  a  rare  resident  from  October  to  April.  Seen  occa- 
sionally in  gulleys  and  brushpiles  in  1901,  from  April  5  to  11 ;  also 
on  October  30,  1906,  and  October  13,  1907. 

162.     PRAIRIE  MARSH  WREN 

TELMATODYTES   PALUSTRIS   ILIACUS   Ridgway 

This  shy  little  wren  is  one  of  the  most  interesting  and,  in  a 
sense,  cheery  members  of  the  Maxinkuckee  avifauna.  It  arrives 
from  the  south  late  in  May  or  early  in  June  and  remains  until  the 
end  of  October  or  even  for  a  few  days  in  November  if  the  sea- 
son be  unusually  fine.  Though  never  abundant  it  is  not  a  rare 
bird  and  one  to  several  individuals  may  be  heard  any  day  in  sum- 
mer or  fall  in  the  marshes  about  the  lake,  along  the  Outlet,  and  at 
the  Inlet.  It  was  most  often  noted  in  the  rank  growth  of  Typha, 
Scirpus,  and  Calamagrostis  along  the  railroad  just  west  of  Green's 
marsh  and  along  the  Outlet  and  about  the  head  of  Lost  Lake.  We 
have  noted  it  occasionally  in  the  large  marsh  at  Norris  Inlet  and 
at  various  places  along  the  outlet  below  Lost  Lake.  At  least  one 
pair  was  found  each  season  in  a  small  pond  just  north  of  the  As- 
sembly grounds,  another  near  the  Winfield  cottage,  another  in  a 
marsli  on  Aubeenaubee  Creek  on  the  east  side,  and  still  another 
in  a  marsh  on  the  south  shore  just  east  of  Farrar's  cottage;  and  on 
one  occasion  a  single  bird  was  heard  in  the  Scirpus  patch  in  front 
of  the  Gravelpit.  It  may  occur  in  other  Scirpus  patches  about 
the  lake  but  our  notes  make  no  mention  of  it  elsewhere  than  in 
the  places  already  enumerated. 

One  does  not  easily  see  this  bird,  so  shy  is  it  and  so  easily  can 
it  conceal  itself  in  the  dense  growths  of  tall  Typha,  Scirpus  and 
Calamagrostis.  One  is  generally  first  made  aware  of  its  pres- 
ence by  a  rather  harsh,  screeping,  scolding  note  from  near  the  tops 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         573 

of  the  rushes,  perhaps  only  a  fev/  feet  away,  and  then  lower  and 
lower  among  the  reeds  as  the  irritable  little  body  seeks  deeper 
cover.  But  if  you  remain  quiet,  inquisitiveness  very  soon  gets 
the  better  of  the  bird's  timidity,  and  you  note  that  it  is  approach- 
ing you,  evidenced  by  the  less  scolding  note  which  comes  nearer 
and  nearer  every  moment  until  you  soon  get  a  glimpse  of  the  curi- 
ous little  brown  object  as  it  flits  through  some  open  space.  After 
having  come  close  enough  to  see  what  you  are,  the  bird  seems  fairly 
reassured,  and  by  short  easy  stages,  goes  again  deeply  into  the 
tules,  the  while  continuing,  though  with  less  evidence  of  concern, 
its  curious  screeping  note.  A  little  later,  from  farther  away  in 
the  marsh,  comes  a  merry  little  song  perhaps  from  the  self-same 
bird  which  was  scolding  you  but  a  minute  before,  or,  possibly, 
from  one  which  your  presence-  has  not  yet  disturbed.  On  choice 
days,  you  may,  by  stopping  your  boat  in  the  Outlet  just  before 
reaching  Lost  Lake,  be  favored  with  cheery  songs  from  half  a 
dozen  of  these  attractive  little  songsters  in  different  parts  of  the 
tule-lands  about  you.  The  first  songs  heard  will  come  from  the 
remoter  places  and  will  divide  your  attention  with  the  scolding 
notes  from  nearby  birds.  A  little  later  the  scolding  ceases  and 
the  tinkling  songs  break  out  here  and  there  in  many  places,  some 
quite  near,  others  far  away. 

Their  song  may  be  heard  on  any  suitable  day  during  their  stay 
with  us,  but  we  have  heard  it  most  often  during  the  latter  part  of 
the  season.  Contrary  to  the  habit  of  most  song  birds,  but  in  com- 
mon with  many  other  wrens,  this  species  does  not  cease  singing 
with  the  nest  building  or  the  rearing  of  the  brood,  but  continues 
it  long  after  the  young  have  left  the  nest;  indeed,  more  singing 
may  be  heard  in  the  fall  than  at  any  other  time.  The  wrens  are 
most  vocal,  if  we  mistake  not,  on  those  calm,  still  days  in  August 
and  early  September,  when  the  sky  is  overcast,  and  not  a  breath 
of  air  is  stirring;  or  else  later  in  September  or  during  October 
when  there  is  a  chill  in  the  morning  and  evening  air,  but  the  middle 
of  the  day  calm,  sunshiny  and  pleasant.  Bright  warm  days  of 
summer  do  not  greatly  inspire  the  bird  to  song  as  do  similar  days 
later  when  the  air  is  cooler.  On  the  other  hand,  calm  overcast 
days  with  lowering  clouds  in  late  autumn  do  not  provoke  the  wrens 
to  song  as  do  such  days  in  summer.  Our  most  distinct,  and  per- 
haps happiest,  memories  of  the  day  song  of  the  marsh  wrens  are 
of  those  delicious  days  in  September  just  after  the  first  frosts 
have  given  a  shade  of  brown  to  the  marsh  plants,  and  the  wrens 
have  completed  their  preparations  if  any  be  necessarj',  for  their  fall 
migration  to  the  southland.     They  then  seem  to  be  simply  waiting 


574         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

for  just  the  right  amount  of  cold,  or  whatever  it  may  be  that 
starts  them  south  and,  while  waiting,  make  the  marsh  joyous  with 
their  song. 

That  the  marsh  wren  sings  at  night  is  a  habit  to  which  we 
do  not  remember  to  have  seen  any  reference.  It  does  so  habitually, 
and  at  all  hours  of  the  night,  the  song  being  the  same  as  that 
sung  in  the  daytime,  except  that  it  seems  to  contain  a  strain  of 
sadness  which  renders  it  even  more  sweet.  So  far  as  we  were 
able  to  determine,  these  birds  sing  at  night  only  when  the  air  is 
still  and  the  moon  or  the  stars  shine  brightly.  We  have  heard 
the  night  song  also  at  the  little  pond  north  of  the  Assembly 
grounds,  and  it  can  doubtless  be  heard  in  any  of  the  marshes 
which  these  birds  frequent.  Our  notes  make  mention  of  the  sing- 
ing as  early  as  May  6  and  as  late  as  October  8. 

The  nesting  habits  of  this  wren  are  of  unusual  interest.  The 
nest  is  a  large  globular  affair  with  a  small  opening  in  one  side 
supported  by  a  number  of  reeds  at  a  height  of  one  to  three  feet 
above  the  surface  of  the  water.  Sometimes  the  nest  is  simply 
lashed  to  two  or  more  reeds  by  blades  of  grass  passing  around 
them,  the  ends  being  woven  into  the  nest ;  at  other  times  the  reeds 
pass  through  the  walls  of  the  nest,  which  usually  holds  it  more  se- 
curely. The  nest  is  made  of  long  leaves  of  various  species  of 
grasses  and  of  cattails  and  rushes,  the  lining  being  of  feathers  and 
other  soft  material. 

The  great  number  of  these  nests  which  one  may  find  is  always  a 
matter  of  wonder;  there  always  seem  to  be  many  more  nests  than 
there  are  birds.  This  is  due  to  the  curious  fact,  it  is  said,  that 
these  little  birds  have  the  house-building  habit  so  strongly  de- 
veloped that  after  the  one  necessary  nest  has  been  completed  and 
the  female  has  entered  upon  her  family  duties,  the  male  continues 
to  build  supernumerary  nests.  Occasionally  some  of  these  may  be 
practically  completed,  but  most  of  them  are  left  in  a  more  or  less 
unfinished  state. 

Usually  at  least  two  broods  are  reared  in  one  season,  and  as  a 
new  nest  is  probably  made  for  each  brood,  the  number  of  observ- 
able nests  would  usually  be  greater  than  the  actual  pairs  of  adult 
birds.  Few,  if  any,  of  these  nests  remain  intact  from  one  season 
to  the  next. 

Definite  dates  of  observations  of  this  species  at  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee are  as  follows : 

In  1899  they  were  noted  quite  frequently  through  July  and 
September  and  were  still  present  October  4.  In  1900  they  were 
heard  singing  July  17,  and  thereafter  until  October  8. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         575 

In  1901,  they  were  first  heard  singing-  May  6,  and  after  that 
very  often.  On  June  8,  many  large  globular  nests  were  noted  in 
cattails  along  the  Outlet  near  Lost  Lake. 

In  1906,  between  July  21  and  September  16,  they  were  on  many 
occasions  heard  warbling  low  along  the  Outlet  on  cloudy  days  and 
at  all  hours  of  quiet,  moonlit  nights.  In  1907  they  were  heard 
September  9,  22,  27,  and  30,  and  October  1,  5,  and  15.  In  1913, 
they  were  seen  or  heard  almost  daily  from  September  5  to  Octo- 
ber 7. 

163.     BROWN  CREEPER 

CERTHIA  FAMILIARIS  AMERICANA  Bonaparte 

Fall  and  spring  visitant,  probably  sometimes  remaining  all 
winter.  Noted  November  22,  25,  29  and  30  and  Dece.mber  2,  3 
and  28,  1900 ;  January  22  and  26,  April  18  and  25,  1901 ;  October 
18  and  29,  1904;  October  9  and  30  and  November  1,  1906;  and 
October  23  and  28,  1907 ;  and  October  14,  19,  25,  and  27,  1913. 

These  little  birds  arrive  from  the  north  usually  in  October  and 
may  be  seen,  most  often  singly,  running  up  the  trunk  of  some  tree 
searching  closely  in  the  cracks  of  the  bark  for  insect  eggs  or  larvse 
on  which  they  feed.  After  ascending  one  tree  to  the  branches  or 
sometimes  higher,  the  bird  will  fly  to  another,  alighting  on  the 
trunk  near  the  ground,  where  it  enters  upon  an  inspection  of  that 
tree.  In  this  manner  it  examines  many  trees  in  one  spot  before 
flying  to  any  distant  tree. 

164.     WHITE-BREASTED  NUTHATCH 

SITTA   CAROLINENSIS   Latham 

This  little  bird,  often  locally  known  as  Pumpkin-seed,  is  one  of 
the  most  interesting  permanent  residents  of  the  Maxinkuckee  re- 
gion. It  is  never  present  in  great  numbers,  but  several  could  be 
seen  on  any  day  that  we  cared  to  look  for  them.  They  prefer  trees 
out  in  the  open  but  may  be  found  also  in  the  denser  woods.  Our 
notes  indicate  their  presence  every  month  in  the  year. 

165.     RED-BREASTED  NUTHATCH 

SITTA   CANADENSIS   Linnaeus 

This  bird  appears  to  be  rare  in  the  region  of  the  lake,  it  having 
been  noted  only  on  two  occasions,  one  south  of  the  lake  in  Farrar's 
woods  about  October  16.  and  two  near  the  Assembly  grounds  No- 
vember 1,  1906,  only  a  little  distance  from  the  lake.  Their  shrill 
hanking  is  quite  characteristic.     It  appears  to  be  present  only  as 

37—17618 


576         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

a  fall  and  spring  migrant,  or  possibly  as  a  winter  visitor.     Those 
seen  were  very  actively  searching  for  insects. 

166.     TUFTED  TITMOUSE 

B^OLOPHUS  BICOLOR    (Linnseus) 

A  permanent  resident,  seen  occasionally  and  heard  frequently. 
The  bird  itself  is  both  inconspicuous  in  color  and  shy  in  behavior, 
but  its  clear  whistle  'Teeter,  peeter",  or  "Cheevy,  cheevy",  is  a 
familiar  sound  of  the  woodlands.  It  sometimes  makes  a  call  like 
that  of  the  chickadee. 

In  some  parts  of  the  State  this  is  called  the  Sugar-bird,  as  it 
comes  about  maple  camps  when  the  sap  is  running,  and  is  supposed 
to  say  "sweeter,  sweeter,  sweeter." 

Noted  in  1899,  from  July  to  September;  in  1901,  from  the  first 
of  January  to  July  when  observations  ceased;  in  1904,  on  Oc- 
tober 18  and  20,  November  1  and  December  9 ;  in  1907,  from  Sep- 
tember 13  to  October  21 ;  and  in  1913,  from  September  14  to  Oc- 
tober 26.  Not  often  seen  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  lake, 
but  more  common  in  the  open  woods  near  Walley's  and  east  of 
the  lake, 

167.     CHICKADEE 

PENTHESTES   ATRICAPILLUS    (Linnaeus) 

Much  more  common,  and  also  much  more  fearless  than  the  last, 
and  seen  the  year  round,  but  more  abundantly  in  winter.  It  is 
usually  busy  hunting  for  insects  in  crevices,  and  it  also  eats  hemp- 
seed  in  the  woods.  Besides  its  call  it  has  a  loud  clear  whistle 
which  can  be  heard  for  a  long  distance,  and  which  is  most  fre- 
quently uttered  in  spring  or  late  winter,  but  is  uttered  occasionally 
almost  any  time  of  year.  One  heard  whistling  January  24,  1901, 
and  frequently  thereafter.     It  was  still  heard  whistling  March  25. 

In  1906  it  was  seen  June  23,  Sept.  6,  and  Nov.  13.  On  the 
last  date  a  good-sized  flock  seen  eating  larvae  from  ragweeds  near 
Lost  Lake.  In  1907  noted  daily  from  September  11  to  October 
14;  in  1913,  from  September  14  to  October  26. 

168.     GOLDEN-CROWNED  KINGLET 

REGULUS  SATRAPA   Lichtenstein 

Fairly  common  spring  and  fall  migrant,  most  abundant  in  Oc- 
tober. Noted  April  18  and  22,  1901;  October  25,  1904;  October 
3,  4,  5,  9,  11,  13,  28  and  30,  1906;  October  5  and  11,  1907;  and 
September  15  and  October  11,  18,  19,  and  26,  1913. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         577 
169.     RUBY-CROWNED  KINGLET 

REGULUS   CALENDULA    (Linnaeus) 

A  rare  spring  and  fall  migrant  with  the  preceding.  Noted 
April  18  and  22,  1901,  October  23,  1904,  and  September  20,  1907. 

170.     BLUE-GRAY  GNATCATCHER 

POLIOPTILA  C^RULEA   (Linnaus) 

Apparently  a  rare  summer  resident.  Our  only  record  is  of 
one  seen  in  Green's  woods  September  20,  1907. 

171.     WOOD  THRUSH 

HYLOCICHLA  MUSTELINUS    (Gmelin) 

A  rare  summer  resident.  Occasionally  heard  in  deep  wood- 
lands about  the  lake.  Heard  north  of  the  lake  April  30,  and  east 
of  the  lake  June  5,  1901. 

172.     OLIVE-BACKED  THRUSH 

HYLOCICHLA   USTULATA   SWAINSONI    (Tschudi) 

A  rare  spring  and  fall  migrant,  doubtless  more  common  than 
would  be  indicated  by  the  number  seen,  so  shy  and  retiring  is 
this  bird.  Noted  October  9  and  24,  1906,  and  September  13  and 
20,  in  Walley's  and  Farrar's  woods;  July  20  and  September  13, 
1907;  and  September  25,  1913,  when  one  was  found  dead  under  a 
telephone  wire. 

173.     HERMIT  THRUSH 

HYLOCICHLA  GUTTATA  PALLASI  (Cabanis) 

In  the  swamp  in  secluded  recesses, 

A  shy  and  hidden  bird  is  warbling  a  song, 

Solitary  the  thrush, 

The  hermit  withdrawn  to  himself,  avoiding  the  settlements. 

Sings  by  himself  a  song. 

— WhitvKui. 

This  spring  and  fall  migrant  and  delightful  song-bird  of  the 
deeper  woods  is  probabb^  common,  but  not  often  seen.  Its  beauti- 
ful liquid  notes,  however,  are  often  heard.  We  have  noted  it  Oc- 
tober 15,  1899;  September  12,  13  and  20,  1907;  and  September 
14  and  October  6  and  12,  1913. 

174.     ROBIN 

PLANESTICUS  MIGRATORIUS   (Linn»us) 

The  Robin  is  one  of  the  most  common  and  cheery  residents 
about  the  lake.     It  arrives  early  in  the  spring  and  remains  late  in 


578         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

the  fall;  indeed,  it  is  probable  that  a  few  individuals  remain  all 
winter  in  favored  places,  particularly  in  the  bottoms  along  Tippe- 
canoe River. 

A  good  many  breed  about  the  lake,  and  several  nests  were 
noted.  The  oak  trees  are  favorite  nesting  sites.  In  1902,  a  nest 
was  seen  in  an  oak  at  the  Chadwick  hotel,  25  feet  up.  By  June 
19  the  brood  reared  in  this  nest  had  gone  and  the  old  birds  had 
begun  a  second  nest  25  feet  up  on  the  limb  of  another  oak  near 
by.  The  building  of  this  nest  was  watched  for  some  time.  The 
robins  got  most  of  the  building  material  at  the  side  of  the  road  just 
west  of  the  hotel,  or  in  the  edge  of  a  pool  near  by.  Both  birds 
worked  very  industriously ;  the  intervals  between  trips  for  building 
material  were  very  short,  usually  not  exceeding  one  minute.  The 
nest  was  apparently  nearly  completed  by  June  20. 

Other  nests  were  observed  as  follows :  One  in  a  willow  on 
south  shore  of  Outlet  Bay;  one  22  feet  up  in  a  red  oak  near  the 
Miller  cottage;  one  in  a  maple  at  roadside  near  the  Moninger  cot- 
tage; and  one  in  a  white  oak  just  south  of  the  Bardsley  cottage. 

In  1904,  and  again  in  1906,  the  robins  seemed  to  be  more  com- 
mon than  in  former  years.  On  December  8,  many  were  seen  in 
deep  woodland  and  on  January  3,  1905,  one  was  seen  in  a  wood- 
land swamp  east  of  the  lake  eating  berries  of  the  winter  holly, 
Ilex  verticillata. 

In  1907,  robins  were  noted  almost  daily  from  September  23  to 
October  23.  In  1909,  they  returned  from  the  south  March  1.  One 
was  observed  November  18,  1911 ;  and  in  1913,  one  or  more  were 
noted  almost  daily  from  September  5  to  October  28. 

175.     BLUEBIRD 

SIALIA   SIALIS    (Linnaeus) 

Perhaps  the  best  known  and  best  loved  of  all  our  native  birds. 
A  common  summer  resident  about  the  lake,  arriving  early  in  the 
spring,  even  before  all  the  snow  has  disappeared,  and  remaining 
late  in  the  fall  and  early  winter;  breeding  in  numbers  in  all  suit- 
able places,  but  most  abundant  during  the  spring  and  fall  migra- 
tions.    Our  definite  records  are  as  follows : 

In  1899,  returned  from  the  south  March  4,  and  seen  at  various 
times  during  the  period  of  observation,  July  to  October.  On  Oc- 
tober 5,  several  were  seen  and  heard  flying  over  Shady  Point 
early  in  the  morning  and  again  later  in  the  forenoon;  they  were 
evidently  migrating.     Others  were  heard  the  next  day. 

In  1900,  a  few  were  noted  July  17;  several  were  heard  flying 
south  early  on  the  morning  of  August  16,  and  several  were  seen 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         579 

on  the  18th ;  in  September,  they  were  noted  on  the  18th,  22d,  28th, 
and  30th ;  in  October,  on  practically  every  day,  particularly  large 
flocks  on  the  14th,  25th,  and  29th;  in  November,  they  were  noted 
on  the  2d,  3d,  9th,  11th,  and  20th. 

In  1901,  the  first  was  seen  March  3,  and  they  were  observed 
almost  daily  thereafter  up  to  July  7  when  our  observations  ceased. 

In  1902,  the  first  one  was  seen  March  6,  and  they  were  noted 
again  on  June  19  and  20,  October  19,  November  1  and  2,  and  De- 
cember 31. 

In  1903,  they  were  common  as  early  as  March  5. 

In  1904,  they  were  noted  almost  daily  from  October  18  to  De- 
cember 11. 

In  1906,  they  were  observed  throughout  the  summer  and  up 
to  November  12. 

In  1907,  our  note  books  contain  entries  from  September  7  to 
October  29. 

Our  only  record  for  1909,  is  February  26,  when  Mr.  Chadwick 
noted  their  arrival. 

Our  only  record  for  1911,  is  November  17,  when  Mr.  Chadwick 
saw  four. 

In  1913,  it  was  noted  almost  daily  during  the  period  of  our 
stay  at  the  lake,  September  3  to  October  26. 

A  pair  were  seen  copulating  April  7,  1901.  They  were  ob- 
served May  29,  building  a  nest  in  a  hole  in  a  fence  post  on  Long 
Point.  On  June  2,  one  egg  had  been  laid,  and  on  June  6,  there 
were  five.  The  old  bird  was  observed  on  the  nest  June  14 ;  on  the 
18th  one  egg  had  hatched ;  on  the  24th,  four  lusty  young  were  ob- 
served and  on  the  26th  they  were  well  developed. 

In  this  region  their  favorite  nesting  places  are  abandoned  wood- 
pecker holes  in  old  fence  posts  and  old  dead  snags,  particularly  in 
old  orchards. 

During  the  period  of  clearing  the  timbered  land  in  Indiana, 
say  from  1850  to  1870,  and  before  the  farmers  had  done  nnich  in 
the  way  of  removing  the  stumps,  every  field  contained  hundreds 
of  stumps  one  to  three  feet  high,  of  oak,  maple,  elm,  sycamore, 
hickory,  ash,  walnut,  tulip,  and  other  hardwood  trees.  Many  of 
these  were  hollow,  the  hole  being  often  only  three  to  six  inches  in 
diameter,  and  these  holes  were  favorite  nesting  places  for  blue- 
birds. The  senior  author  remembers  distinctly  one  large  18-acre 
field  in  which  stumps  were  particularly  abundant  and  in  which 
there  were  many  bluebirds'  nests  every  spring.  An  estimate  of 
five  bluebird  nests  per  acre,  or  90  for  the  field,  would  bo  a  very 
conservative  one. 


580         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


THE  REPTILES  AND  AMPHIBIANS 

The  number  of  species  of  snakes  (10)  is  not  large,  but  the 
number  of  turtles  is  unusually  large.  Although  the  total  number 
of  reptiles  is  only  19,  nine  of  these  are  turtles,  several  of  the  species 
of  which  are  found  in  large  numbers. 

While  the  snakes  arc  of  little  importance  in  the  biology  of  the 
lake,  the  same  is  not  true  of  the  turtles.  All  of  the  nine  species 
but  one  inhabit  the  lake  and  constitute  an  important  factor  in 
their  relations  to  the  fishes  and  other  animals  dwelling  in  it.  Their 
function  is  largely  that  of  scavengers  and  the  amount  of  dead  ani- 
mal and  vegetable  matter  which  they  consume  is  considerable. 
Dwelling  as  they  do  chiefly  in  the  shallow  parts  of  the  lake  near 
the  shores,  they  readily  find  and  quickly  devour  most  of  the  dead 
fishes  and  crustaceans  that  drift  in  near  the  shore.  The  number 
of  amphibians  is  large,  there  being  18  species. 

In  nomenclature,  but  not  in  sequence,  we  have  followed  Stejneger 
and  Barbour's  Check  List  of  North  American  Amphibians  and 
Reptiles,  1917.  As  our  list  was  in  type  before  the  "Check  List" 
was  available,  it  was  not  practicable  to  change  the  sequence. 


THE  SNAKES 

Introduction 

The  total  number  of  species  of  snakes  knowni  from  the  vicinity 
of  Lake  Maxinkuckee  is  10.  This  number  is  not  large;  doubtless 
more  thorough  field  work  would  increase  the  number  slightly. 
While  the  species  are  not  numerous,  several  of  them  are  fairly 
abundant  in  individuals.  This  is  particularly  true  of  the  common 
Garter  Snake  and  the  Water  Snake.  The  former  of  these  may  be 
seen  in  suitable  situations  on  almost  any  warm  day  from  early 
spring  until  late  in  the  fall,  while  the  latter  is  almost  equally  fre- 
quent from  the  middle  of  summer  to  early  fall  about  the  borders 
of  Lost  Lake  and  along  the  Outlet. 

Nearly  all,  perhaps  all,  of  the  species  bear  some  relation  to  the 
life  of  the  lake,  some  of  them  feeding  on  fishes  when  opportunity 
offers,  and  all  feeding  upon  frogs.  Only  one  of  the  species  of 
snakes  known  from  the  Lake  Maxinkuckee  region  is  poisonous; 
that  is  the  little  Prairie  Rattlesnake  which,  fortunately,  is  quite 
rare. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         581 

LIST  OF  SPECIES 
1.   dekay's  snake 

STORERIA   DEKAYI    (Hulbrook) 

This  little  snake  occurs  sparingly  throughout  the  eastern  United 
States  and  westward  to  Colorado  and  Wyoming.  At  Lake  INIax- 
inkuckee  it  is  one  of  the  rarest  species,  only  five  examples  having 
been  seen  by  us  during  the  entire  period  of  our  observations  about 
the  lake.  One  was  obtained  October  8,  1900,  two  were  taken  in 
1906,  and  two  October  17,  1907. 

This  is  a  small  species,  reaching  a  length  of  only  a  foot  or  less. 
Color,  grayish  brown,  with  a  clay-colored  dorsal  band  bordered  by 
dotted  lines ;  a  dark  patch  on  each  side  of  the  occiput ;  under  parts 
grayish.     Scales  in  17  rows;  ventral  plates  120-138. 

2.     RIBAND  SNAKE 

THAMNOPHIS  PROXIMUS   (Say) 

This  species  is  found  from  Wisconsin  to  Mexico.  At  Maxin- 
kuckee it  is  one  of  the  rarer  snakes.  The  only  example  in  our  col- 
lection was  secured  September  21,  1900,  near  Lost  Lake,  southwest 
of  Mr.  Green's  house. 

It  is  a  very  slender,  graceful  snake.  It  is  probably  not  rare  in 
the  weedy  patches  west  of  Culver,  particularly  about  old  drained 
lake  beds  where  the  ground  is  still  wet  and  where  there  are  occa- 
sional pools.  In  the  spring  of  1901  four  were  seen  by  Mr.  Clark, 
two  on  April  9  west  of  Culver,  one  April  30  at  Culver  Inlet,  and 
one  May  20  in  Hawk's  marsh. 

In  habits  this  species  does  not  differ  greatly  from  other  garter 
snakes.  It  delights  in  marshy  situations  and  is  not  averse  to  an 
occasional  short  stay  in  the  water.  Its  food  consists  chiefly  of 
small  frogs,  toads,  and  insects,  with  an  occasional  small  fish. 

This  snake  may  be  known  by  the  following  characters : 

Lateral  stripe  on  third  and  fourth  rows  of  scales ;  scales  in  19 
rows,  little  or  not  at  all  spotted ;  color  chocolate  brown,  with  three 
yellow  stripes ;  light  brown  below  lateral  stripes ;  ventral  plates 
150  to  160 ;  tail  about  one-third  the  total  length,  which  rarely  ex- 
ceeds 36  inches. 

3.     COMMON  GARTER  SNAKE 

THAMNOPHIS  SIRTALIS    (Linnaeus) 

This  is  the  most  variable  as  well  as  the  most  widely  distributed 
of  all  the  garter  snakes.     It  and  its  subspecies  are  found  in  nearly 


582         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

all  parts  of  the  United  States,  and  it  is  by  far  the  most  abundant 
snake  about  Lake  Maxinkuckee;  it  is  probably  more  numerous 
than  all  other  species  combined. 

It  may  be  found  in  all  sorts  of  situations;  in  cultivated  fields 
and  gardens,  about  yards  and  barn  lots,  in  grassy  meadows  and  in 
open  woodland,  in  marshy  ground  along  streams  and  about  lakes, 
and  particularly  along  paths  and  public  highways.  It  perhaps 
most  delights  in  reedy,  boggy  places  and  lake  margins.  It  is  the 
first  snake  to  be  abroad  in  the  spring  and  one  of  the  last  to  go  into 
hibernation  in  the  fall.  The  first  warm  days  of  spring  will  rouse 
them  from  their  winter's  sleep  and  bring  them  forth  to  bask  in 
the  sun.  Then  they  may  be  found  usually  lying  at  full  length  on 
a  mass  of  dead  grass  along  a  fence  row  or  in  some  such  situation 
well  exposed  so  as  to  get  the  full  effect  of  the  sun's  warmest  rays. 
Here  they  will  lie  quietly  through  the  middle  of  the  day  soaking  out 
the  accumulated  chill  of  the  long  winter.  Thus  they  will  pass  sev- 
eral days  before  they  begin  to  move  about  or  to  seek  food. 

In  the  fall  they  appear  to  be  active  to  the  last,  continuing  to 
eat  until  they  go  into  their  winter  quarters.  At  this  season  they 
seem  to  move  about  more  than  usual,  perhaps  because  searching  for 
suitable  liibernacula.  It  is  in  this  season  that  one  so  frequently  ob- 
serves their  tracks  across  the  dusty  highway  and  when  so  many 
are  run  over  and  crushed  by  wagons. 

Numerous  examples  were  noted  about  the  lake  and  many  speci- 
mens obtained.  Our  earliest  record  is  April  9  and  the  latest  No- 
vember 22.  The  species  was  noted  in  all  the  situations  mentioned 
above. 

This  and  all  other  species  of  the  garter  snakes  are  viviparous, 
bringing  forth  their  young  alive.  A  female  3  feet  long  was  killed 
July  26  and  40  young  each  6  to  7  inches  long  were  taken  from  her 
body.  Dr.  J.  Schenck,  of  Mt.  Carmel,  111.,  reports  that  78  young 
3  to  7  inches  long  were  taken  from  a  female  35  inches  long. 

The  Garter  Snake  has  quite  a  varied  menu ;  they  are  known  to 
feed  upon  insects,  insect  larvse,  small  rodents,  young  birds  and 
birds'  eggs,  toads,  frogs,  angleworms,  small  mollusks,  tadpoles, 
salamanders,  and  small  fish.  Frogs,  toads,  fish,  shrews  and  field 
mice  doubtless  constitute  the  major  portion  of  their  diet.  One 
found  dead  on  the  railroad  tracks  near  the  elevator  in  the  late 
autumn  of  1906  was  quite  fat,  as  snakes  are  likely  to  be  at  that 
time  of  year.  The  stomach  was  empty  of  food,  but  contained  a 
few  ascarid-like  parasites. 

On  the  whole,  however,  this  snake  is  beneficial  to  the  farm  and 
should  be  protected.     The  disposition  which  most  people  have  to 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         583 

kill  every  snake  on  sight  is  entirely  irrational  and  wholly  un- 
justifiable. 

This  creature,  like  many  other  snakes,  is  protected  by  an 
abominably  sickening  odor,  not  noticeable  at  a  distance  but  as  dis- 
agreeable a  smell  as  one  is  apt  to  encounter.  This  odor,  however, 
is  noticeable  only  when  the  snake  has  been  annoyed  and  has  be- 
come angered.  When  angry  it  sometimes  flattens  out  after  the 
fashion  of  the  blowing  adder.  There  is  great  variation  among  the 
individuals  of  this  species  found  about  the  lake,  and  two  or  more 
subspecies  should  probably  be  recognized.  We,  however,  have 
grouped  them  all  under  the  species. 

From  all  other  snakes  found  about  the  lake,  particularly  the 
riband  snake  which  it  most  resembles,  this  species  may  be  readily 
known  by  its  having  the  lateral  stripe  on  the  second  and  third 
instead  of  on  the  third  and  fourth  rows  of  scales.  This  species  is 
also  stouter,  the  tail  being  one-fourth  the  entire  leng-th.  Color 
olivaceous,  dorsal  stripe  narrow,  obscure;  3  series  of  small  dark 
spots  on  each  side,  about  70  between  head  and  vent;  side  and  belly 
greenish;  lateral  stripe  rather  broad,  but  not  conspicuous;  colors 
generally  duller  than  in  other  species;  ventral  plates  130  to  160. 
Length  2  to  4  feet. 

4.     BUTLER'S  GARTER  SNAKE 

THAMNOPHIS  BUTLERI   (Cope) 

This  is  the  rarest  of  the  species  of  garter  snakes  which  occur 
at  the  lake.  The  only  example  we  have  seen  was  found  freshly 
killed  just  south  of  the  Indiana  boathouse  July  23,  1900. 

5.     WATER  SNAKE 

NATRIX   SIPEDON    (Linnaus) 

The  Water  Snake  is  a  common  and  well-known  snake  through- 
out the  whole  eastern  United  States  as  far  westward  as  Kansas, 
and  is  tolerably  abundant  throughout  its  range  in  wet  places,  such 
as  streams,  ponds  and  lakes.  About  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  to  be 
found  along  low  bits  of  shore  such  as  that  about  Norris  Inlet  and 
the  various  other  inlets  of  the  lake,  and  near  the  Outlet.  One  of 
its  favorite  haunts  is  that  portion  of  the  Outlet  between  the  two 
lakes.  Next  to  the  common  garter  snake  this  Water  Snake  or 
"moccasin"  is  the  snake  most  frequently  seen  about  the  lake.  We 
have  records  of  numerous  examples  seen,  the  earliest  date  being 
May  3  and  the  latest  August  29.  It  is  probably  most  abundant  in 
June.     Definite  dates  are  as  follows:     In  1899,  one  seen  July  11 


584         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

and  another  August  29.  In  1900,  one  seen  July  13,  17  and  20,  all 
on  the  west  side ;  one  seen  on  east  side  of  Lost  Lake  August  1,  one 
at  Fish  Commission  Station  August  7,  and  one  near  the  Inlet 
August  16.  In  1£01,  one  in  Culver  Bay  May  3;  a  large  one  on 
west  side  May  6 ;  one  near  Farrar's  May  23 ;  a  large  one  on  Long 
Point  June  2 ;  another  on  Long  Point  June  16 ;  one  at  Outlet  June 
19 ;  one  3  feet  9  inches  long  on  west  side  June  22 ;  and  a  small  one 
on  Long  Point  June  24.  In  1906  a  large  one  found  dead  on  Long 
Point  August  15,  a  small  one  in  Green's  marsh,  one  at  Outlet  and 
one  on  Yellow  River  August  16.  During  the  summer  of  1906, 
after  the  dam  was  thrown  across  the  Outlet  at  the  railroad  bridge 
the  water  in  the  Outlet  below  the  dam  became  very  low,  and  water 
snakes  could  be  found  along  the  edge  of  the  water  almost  any 
time  a  visit  was  made  to  that  place.  Attempts  were  made  to  get 
some  of  them  but  they  escaped,  as  they  usually  do,  by  diving. 

This  is  the  species  more  often  seen  in  the  water  than  any  other. 
It  delights  to  lie  coiled  on  some  old  log  or  root  in  or  at  the  edge 
of  the  stream  or  on  the  timbers  at  the  dam  or  the  logs  of  the  "drift." 
It  inhabits  rather  open  woodland  ponds  in  great  abundance,  and 
in  such  places  they  often  collect  several  together  on  projecting 
logs.  In  such  situations  it  lies  in  wait,  basking  in  the  sun,  mak- 
ing short  excursions  now  and  then  into  the  water  after  fish  or  frog, 
or  dropping  quietly  into  the  stream  when  disturbed  by  the  near 
approach  of  anyone.  Then  it  hides  under  the  bank,  only  its  head 
being  out  of  the  water,  or  else  swims  swiftly  away  and  out  of  reach. 
While  swimming  it  usually  keeps  its  head  above  water,  but  when 
closely  pressed  or  annoyed  it  will  go  entirely  under  and  swim  along 
on  or  near  the  bottom. 

The  Water  Snake  is  frequently  called  "moccasin",  or  "red-belly" 
and  is  by  many  believed  to  be  deadly  poisonous.  Its  bite  is,  how- 
ever, entirely  harmless,  and  it  is  very  different  from  the  venomous 
"water-moccasin"  or  cotton-mouth  of  the  south. 

Although  the  Water  Snake  is  non-venomous,  it  has  very  little 
to  commend  it.  It  is  repulsive  in  appearance  and  spiteful  in  tem- 
per. It  is  more  destructive  to  fishes  than  any  other  of  our  snakes ; 
indeed,  it  seems  to  subsist  chiefly  c^\  fish.  It  will  eat  any  kind  of 
fish  it  can  catch,  though  it  doubtless  prefers  the  soft-rayed  species, 
such  as  the  minnows,  suckers  and  trout ;  it  surely  finds  them  easier 
to  handle  than  the  spiny-rayed  species  such  as  the  bass  and  perch. 
We  have  found  many  different  fishes  in  the  stomach  of  the  water 
snake;  among  them  we  may  mention  suckers  of  various  species, 
various  minnows,  bass,  rock-bass,  sunfish,  eel,  carp  and  catfish. 
One  large  Water  Snake  was  found  that  had  attempted  to  swallow 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         585 

a  large  catfish  but  the  catfish  straightened  out  and  set  its  pectoral 
spines,  and  the  snake,  being  unable  to  get  the  fish  either  up  or 
down,  perished,  a  victim  of  his  own  greed. 

Besides  fish  the  Water  Snake  feeds  also  on  frogs,  crawfish  and 
young  birds. 

The  water  snakes  mate  early  in  spring,  soon  after  coming  out 
of  their  winter  quarters,  and  then  sometimes  congregate  in  num- 
bers of  four  or  five  together.  The  species  is  viviparous.  In  Au- 
gust, 1899,  an  old  snake  was  found  on  the  railroad  track  near  the 
ice-houses.  It  had  been  run  over  by  a  train  and  10  young  which 
it  contained  were  prematurely  liberated. 

The  Water  Snake  probably  comes  out  and  basks  on  bright  days 
in  autumn  after  it  has  ceased  taking  food.  One  found  dead  near 
Farrar's  in  the  autumn  of  1906,  October  20,  was  cut  open  and  the 
stomach  found  to  be  empty,  except  for  some  ascarid-like  parasites. 
The  mesenteries  were  well  loaded  with  a  supply  of  fat  probably 
for  the  subsistence  of  the  snake  during  its  hibernation.  It  con- 
tained 30  ova,  15  on  each  side. 

Color,  brownish;  back  and  sides  each  with  a  series  of  large 
square,  dark  blotches  alternating  with  each  other,  about  80  in  each 
series ;  belly  with  brown  blotches ;  rows  of  scales  23 ;  ventral  plates 
130  to  150.     Length  2  to  4  feet. 

6.     FOX  SNAKE 

ELAPHE   VULPINA    (Baird   &   Girard) 

This  large  and  beautiful  snake  ranges  from  New  England  west- 
ward to  Kansas  and  northward.  It  does  not  appear  to  be  com- 
mon about  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  as  our  notes  record  but  eight  ex- 
amples, as  follows:  A  fine  example  on  west  shore  of  Lost  Lake 
early  in  July,  1900,  and  another  large  one  near  same  place  July  8 ; 
one  seen  near  Lost  Lake  September  3,  and  a  large  one  gotten  on 
Long  Point  September  25;  one  in  Walley's  woods  August  25; 
another  on  Long  Point  September  25 ;  one  about  6  feet  long  August 
14,  1906,  west  of  Culver  near  the  beaver  dam  prairie  on  the  road 
to  Bass  Lake;  and  a  large  one  near  the  Gravelpit  early  in  June, 
1907.     Individuals  seem  most  frequent  in  late  summer  or  early  fall. 

The  Fox  Snake,  often  called  the  Pine  Snake,  frequents  the  dry, 
open  woods  and  the  neighborhood  of  briar  patches  and  copses.  We 
have  never  observed  it  in  the  water  or  on  the  immediate  lake  shore. 
It  is  often  called  the  Pilot  Snake  and  is  supposed  to  have  some 
mysterious  connection  with  the  rattlesnake.  Though  entirely 
harmless,  it  is  one  of  the  most  viciously  disposed  snakes.     When 


586         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

provoked,  as  Dr.  Hay  observes,  it  shows  its  irritation  by  vibrat- 
ing the  tip  of  its  slender  tail,  which,  when  striking  a  crumpled  leaf 
or  any  other  small  object,  may  produce  a  rattling  noise  very  like 
that  made  by  a  rattlesnake  under  similar  circumstances.  The 
large  example  caught  near  Bass  Lake  August  14,  bit  Professor 
Wilson  on  the  hand,  causing  blood  to  flow  freely  but  producing 
no  serious  effect. 

While  entirely  harmless,  its  habits  are  not  unlike  those  of  the 
blacksnake  and  it  doubtless  destroys  many  eggs  and  young  of 
ground-nesting  birds.  Besides  these,  its  food  consists  of  mice 
and  other  small  rodents,  the  larger  insects  and  their  larvae.  It 
probably  feeds  to  some  extent  on  frogs  and  toads,  but  we  have 
no  evidence  that  it  ever  catches  fish. 

This  is  a  large,  light  brown  snake,  with  squarish,  chocolate- 
colored  blotches  about  60  in  number;  scales  in  25  rows;  ventral 
plates  200  to  210 ;  vertical  plate  broader  than  long. 

7.     BLUE  RACER 

COLUBER   CONSTRICTOR    FLAVIVENTRIS    (Say) 

This  common  and  familiar  reptile,  also  known  as  the  Black- 
snake  or  Black  Racer,  is  found  pretty  generally  distributed 
throughout  the  eastern  United  States  and  southward.  It  fre- 
quents open  woodlands,  old  fence  rows  and  all  places  where  dead 
leaves  are  common.  It  is  the  largest  of  the  snakes  of  this  region. 
It  is  an  active,  vigorous  snake,  moving  over  the  ground  with  great 
rapidity.  It  is  not  a  coward,  as  are  most  snakes,  but  will,  on  occa- 
sion, attack  a  person  when  disturbed,  coming  toward  one  rapidly 
and  with  head  raised  one  or  two  feet.  Cope  says  "the  constrict- 
ing power  of  the  black  snake  is  not  sufficient  to  cause  inconvenience 
to  a  man,  but  might  seriously  oppress  a  child.  The  pressure  exer- 
cised by  a  strong  individual  wound  round  the  arm  is  sufficient  to 
compress  and  close  the  superficial  veins,  and  cause  the  muscles  to 
ache,  but  it  is  easy  to  unwind  the  snake  with  the  free  hand  and 
arm."  The  Blacksnake  is  harmless,  and  its  bite,  which  it  rarely 
inflicts,  only  amounts  to  a  serious  scratch. 

The  Blacksnake's  food  consists  chiefly  of  field  mice,  white- 
footed  mice,  and  other  noxious  varmints.  It  also  feeds  upon 
frogs,  toads,  birds'  eggs  and  young  birds,  and  probably  does  more 
harm  than  good.  The  gi-eatest  objection  to  it  is  its  disposition  to 
rob  birds'  nests  of  their  eggs  and  young.  Ground-nesting  birds 
are  particularly  apt  to  suffer  from  the  depredations  of  the  Black- 
snake; and  those  species  such  as  song  sparrows,  catbird,  thrasher, 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         587 

robin,  dove  and  redwing,  which  place  their  nests  not  far  above 
the  ground,  and  the  bkiebird,  chickadee,  and  downy  woodpecker, 
which  deposit  their  eggs  in  holes  in  trees  or  snags  not  many  feet 
up,  are  often  despoiled  of  their  eggs  or  young  by  this  snake. 

We  have  often  seen  blacksnakes  coiled  up  on  limbs  of  trees  or 
crawling  about  among  limbs  several  feet  above  the  ground  evi- 
dently searching  for  birds'  nests.  One  of  us  remembers  seeing  a 
bluebird  greatly  disturbed  by  a  large  Blacksnake  which  was  appar- 
ently about  to  climb  to  the  bluebird's  nest  which  was  in  a  hole  only 
3  or  4  feet  up  in  an  old  elm  snag.  The  snake  was  coiled  up  at 
the  foot  of  the  snag,  its  head  elevated  perhaps  a  foot  or  18  inches, 
and  it  watched  the  bird  intently,  its  head  moving  this  way 
and  that,  following  closely  the  movements  of  the  bird,  which 
fluttered  incessantly  about  the  snake  and  was  probably  as  com- 
pletely "charmed"  or  under  the  power  of  the  snake  as  birds  ever 
get.  When  approached  the  snake  became  frightened  and  crawled 
away  among  the  bushes ;  and  then  the  bird  flew  to  a  limb  near  by. 

A  friend  who  is  a  close  observer  of  animals  tells  us  that  he  once 
saw  a  ruffed  grouse  fighting  a  Blacksnake  which  was  endeavoring 
to  rob  the  grouse's  nest.  He  shot  the  snake,  and  the  grouse,  after 
showing  some  astonishment,  feigned  lameness  to  lead  him  away 
from  the  nest. 

Another  friend  says  that  he  once  saw  a  chipmunk  "charmed" 
by  a  large  Blacksnake.  The  chipmunk  was  on  a  log  about  12  feet 
long  and  the  snake  at  one  side  near  the  middle  of  the  log  and  with 
head  elevated  somewhat  more  than  the  height  of  the  top  of  the  log. 
The  chipmunk  when  first  seen  was  uttering  the  well-known  chirp- 
ing note  so  expressive  oi  solicitude  and  running  back  and  forth  on 
the  log,  at  first  the  full  length  of  the  log,  then  less  and  less  until 
it  ran  but  a  few  inches  each  way  from  the  snake  whose  head  all 
the  time  moved  to  the  right  and  to  the  left,  following  closely  the 
movements  of  the  little  rodent.  At  the  same  time  the  snake's  tail, 
elevated  and  rigid  was  rapidly  vibrating  and  making  a  noise  not 
unlike  that  made  by  a  rattlesnake.  Unfortunately  the  observer 
shot  the  snake  without  waiting  to  learn  if  the  chipmunk  were 
really  in  any  manner  under  the  control  of  the  reptile. 

The  Blacksnake  is  not  rare  about  Lake  IMaxinkuckee.  Our 
notes  record  seven  or  eight  individuals  seen  at  different  times. 
The  earliest  record  is  the  last  week  in  May  and  the  latest  October 
14.  A  large  example  seen  east  of  Lost  Lake  on  the  latter  date  was 
quite  stupid  and  declined  to  move.  A  4-foot  individual  seen  in 
Walley's  woods  was  evidently  blind,  due  to  shedding  its  skin  which 
was  so  loose  that  it  slipped  off  when  the  snake  was  handled.     The 


588         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

eyes  were  white,  and  the  snake  instead  of  seeing,  apparently 
listened.  Another  was  seen  in  Walley's  woods  September  21,  1900. 
On  August  13,  1906,  a  very  large  one  was  seen  ha  If -concealed  in 
the  briars  near  the  ice-houses.  When  approached  it  made  its  tail 
rattle  among  the  dry  leaves  precisely  like  a  rattlesnake.  On  Au- 
gust 14,  1906,  a  large  one  was  caught  near  Bass  Lake.  Another, 
5  to  6  feet  long  was  seen  in  Walley's  cornfield  September  20,  1907. 
It  was  coiled  loosely  at  the  base  of  a  cornstalk  and  seemed  disin- 
clined to  move,  though  it  stuck  out  its  tongue  repeatedly. 

This  snake  is  usually  lustrous  blue-black  or  pitch-black  above 
and  greenish  below;  chin  and  throat  white.  Young  olive,  with 
rhomboid  black  blotches.  Body  very  slender;  eye  large,  scales  in 
17  or  19  rows;  ventral  plates  170  to  190.     Length  4  to  5  feet. 

8.     HOUSE  SNAKE 

LAMPROPELTIS  TRIANGULUM  (Lacepede) 

This  is  the  Common  House  Snake  or  Milk  Snake  so  abundant 
in  most  of  the  upper  Mississippi  Valley  States.  It  does  not  appear 
to  be  very  common,  however,  about  Maxinkuckee.  The  only  ex- 
ample seen  by  us  was  obtained  July  28,  1899,  at  our  station  near 
the  Arlington  Hotel.  It  is  one  of  the  mildest  and  most  useful  of 
snakes  and  feeds  largely  upon  the  various  species  of  small  noxious 
mammals.  Its  habits,  however,  are  not  entirely  beneficial,  as  it 
will,  on  occasion,  not  refuse  to  eat  such  hens'  eggs  and  birds'  eggs 
as  it  may  find. 

We  have  never  seen  it  swimming  in  the  water  and  do  not  know 
whether  it  ever  feeds  on  fishes  or  other  aquatic  animals. 

Color,  grayish,  with  three  series  of  brown,  rounded  blotches 
bordered  with  black,  about  50  in  the  dorsal  row;  an  arrow-shaped 
occipital  spot;  belly  yellowish-white,  with  square  black  blotches; 
dorsal  scales  in  21  rows.  In  the  young  the  dorsal  blotches  are 
bright  chestnut  red  inside  of  the  black  margins,  and  the  spaces  be- 
tween are  sometimes  white  or  clear  ash. 

9.     HOG-NOSED  SNAKE 

HETERODON   CONTORTRIX   (Linnieus) 

This  interesting  reptile,  also  known  as  Spreading  Adder  and 
Blowing  Viper,  is  found  throughout  the  eastern  United  States.  It 
is  a  common  and  well  known  species  in  most  parts  of  Indiana. 

It  frequents  dry  situations  such  as  cultivated  fields,  old  fence- 
rows,  open  pastures  and  roadsides ;  also  dry  hillsides  and  the  banks 
of  streams.     At  times  it  may  be  seen  along  water-courses  and  the 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         589 

shores  of  ponds  and  lakes.  We  have  rarely  observed  it  in  mead- 
ows or  on  wet  or  marshy  ground;  nor  have  we  noted  it  often  about 
human  habitations. 

Although  not  often  seen  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  this  lake, 
it  is  probably  not  uncommon  in  suitable  situations,  especially  in 
dry  sandy  regions.  It  appears  to  be  very  well  known  among  the 
inhabitants  of  the  region,  and  though  entirely  harmless,  is  held  in 
great  dread  by  most  of  them — even  its  breath  is  supposed  to  be 
fatal.  From  its  method  of  defending  itself  by  appearing  very 
terrible,  a  habit  which  has  perhaps  given  its  evil  repute,  it  is  one 
of  the  most  interesting  snakes  in  the  region. 

One  was  taken  in  Walley's  woods  on  a  bright  day  in  the  spring 
of  1901.  When  first  approached  it  assumed  a  threatening  attitude 
and  gave  vent  to  loud  hisses ;  it  then  broadly  flattened  out  the  neck, 
and  the  bright  colors  and  color  pattern,  which  had  been  more  or 
less  concealed  by  the  scales,  now  stood  out  vividly,  the  color  mark- 
ings on  the  back  of  the  neck  standing  out  with  especial  clearness. 
When  the  snake  found  that  none  of  these  tactics  availed,  it  stiff- 
ened out  and  appeared  to  be  dead,  and  was  easily  picked  up  and 
placed  in  the  collecting  can. 

During  the  summer  of  1906  a  large  example  of  this  species  was 
seen  on  the  shore  of  Lost  Lake,  but  it  escaped  into  a  hole  in  the 
bank.  In  the  autumn  of  the  same  year  a  young  example  about  5 
inches  long  was  captured  near  the  ice  office,  and  frequent  re- 
ports of  the  species  having  been  seen,  were  heard. 

The  bite  of  this  snake  is  entirely  harmless — even  if  it  could 
be  induced  to  bite.  From  the  nature  of  its  food,  it  is  one  of  our 
beneficial  snakes;  it  eats  very  few  fish,  but  subsists  on  frogs, 
mice,  insects,  their  larvge,  and  grubs.  Instead,  therefore,  of  merit- 
ing the  persecution  which  it  seems  almost  everywhere,  it  is  well 
worthy  of  protection. 

From  all  other  snakes  of  this  part  of  the  State,  this  species 
may  be  known  by  its  habit  of  flattening  out  both  its  head  and  body 
marvelously.  In  color,  it  is  brownish  or  reddish,  with  about  28 
dark  dorsal  blotches,  besides  lateral  ones  and  half-rings  on  the  tail ; 
sometimes  the  color  is  nearly  uniform  black.  Vertical  plate  longer 
than  broad,  about  equal  to  the  occipitals;  ventral  plates  120  to  150; 
scales  in  23  or  25  rows.     Maximum  length  about  2  feet. 

10.     PRAIRIE  RATTLESNAKE 

SISTRURUS  CATENATUS  (Rafinesque) 

This  species,  known  also  as  the  Massasauga,  is  likely  to  occur 
in  all  prairie  regions  from  Ohio  to  Minnesota  and  southward.     In 


590         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Indiana  it  is  known  only  from  the  northern  portions  of  the  State. 
It  is  the  only  poisonous  snake  occurring  about  Lake  Maxinkuckee, 
all  the  other  species  found  in  that  region  or  elsewhere  in  northern 
Indiana  being  entirely  harmless.  Formerly  the  Massasauga  was 
abundant  throughout  this  part  of  the  State,  but,  with  the  settling 
up  of  the  country  and  the  draining  of  the  prairie  grass  land  and 
the  marshes,  it  has  become  wholly  exterminated  in  many  places 
and  practically  so  in  many  others.  About  Maxinkuckee,  however, 
and  elsewhere  in  Marshall  County,  it  is  far  from  extinct.  It  is 
apt  to  be  found  in  any  and  all  suitable  places  such  as  prairie  mead- 
ows, about  the  borders  of  vanishing  lakes  and  in  prairie  marsh 
ground  anywhere. 

In  May,  1891,  when  the  spring  meeting  of  the  Indiana  Academy 
of  Science  was  being  held  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  several  specimens 
were  caught  by  members  in  attendance,  chiefly  in  marshy  ground 
about  the  lake.  About  1896  a  young  man  on  the  eastern  side  of 
the  lake  was  bitten  on  the  leg  by  one.  The  leg  remained  swollen 
for  some  time  and  complete  recovery  was  very  slow.  On  August 
6,  1899,  one  was  caught  on  Long  Point  between  the  Scovell  and 
Walter  Knapp  cottages.  It  was  23  inches  long  and  had  five  rattles. 
On  August  3,  1900,  one  was  killed  2^  miles  south  of  Arlington  sta- 
tion. It  was  18  inches  long  and  had  two  rattles  and  a  button. 
Several  weeks  earlier  near  the  same  place  a  dog  was  bitten  by 
one  without  fatal  results.  On  August  26  a  small  one  was  killed  on 
the  east  side  of  the  lake  near  the  T.  W.  Wilson  cottage.  On  the 
same  day  one  was  killed  in  a  field  on  the  Hawk  farm  south  of 
Culver.  It  was  about  2  feet  long  and  had  nine  rattles.  Another 
young  individual  v.^as  killed  September  3  on  the  east  side  2^  miles 
southeast  of  the  Maxwell  cottage,  and  one  with  nine  rattles  was 
killed  September  26,  1907,  in  a  meadow  on  the  Newman  farm  four 
miles  southeast  of  Culver. 

These  are  all  the  records  we  have  of  the  occurrence  of  the 
Prairie  Rattlesnake  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee. 
We  have  heard,  however,  of  numerous  examples  being  killed  in 
marshy  meadows  northwest,  west  and  south  of  the  lake.  In  those 
regions  there  are  numerous  and  considerable  meadows  of  the  wild 
grass  or  sedge,  Carex  stricta,  which  are  cut  in  the  early  fall  by 
farmers  and  others  for  hay  or  for  use  in  the  ice-houses,  and  other 
purposes.  It  is  then  that  this  venomous  snake  is  met  with  most 
frequently. 

Though  habitually  dwelling  in  marshy  situations  it  is  some- 
times seen  on  higher,  open  ground.  It  is  rarely  seen  in  open  woods 
or  dry  thickets. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         591 

We  know  but  little  about  the  habits  or  food  of  this  snake.  It 
apparently  does  not  wander  far  but  remains  close  about  the  par- 
ticular marsh  in  which  it  makes  its  home.  They  are  quiet  and 
not  easily  disturbed  or  angered.  When  observed  they  will  be  still 
or  quietly  glide  away  unless  interfered  with.  Then  they  will 
usually  coil,  assume  a  threatening  attitude  and  rattle  more  or  less. 
The  rattling,  however,  soon  ceases,  to  be  renewed  only  when  again 
provoked. 

The  Massasauga  is  known  to  feed  on  frogs,  crawfish,  meadow 
mice  and  shrews.  We  do  not  know  that  it  ever  feeds  on  fish, 
but  it  is  more  than  probable  that  it  would  not  disdain  to  eat  mud 
minnows  or  any  other  small  fishes  it  might  find  in  its  swampy 
habitation. 

The  one  fact  that  this  is  a  venomous  snake  is  sufficient  reason 
for  its  extermination. 

The  species  is  viviparous,  the  young  being  brought  forth  alive. 
There  are  usually  about  six  in  a  brood  each  4  to  6  inches  in  length 
when  born.  The  birth  of  the  young  generally  takes  place  about 
the  first  of  September. 

The  Prairie  Rattlesnake  may  be  known  from  others  of  this 
region  by  the  large,  flat,  triangular  head  on  a  slender  neck,  the 
presence  of  a  deep  pit  between  the  eye  and  the  nostril,  the  long, 
erectile,  perforated  poison-fang  on  each  side  of  the  upper  jaw,  and, 
usually,  the  presence  of  a  rattle  on  the  tail. 

Color,  brown  or  blackish,  with  about  seven  series  each  of  about 
34  deep  chestnut  blotches,  blackish  exteriorly  and  edged  with  yel- 
lowish; a  yellowish  streak  from  pit  to  neck;  body  sometimes  all 
black;  scales  in  23  or  25  rows;  ventral  plates  135  to  150.  Length 
21  to  3  feet. 

THE  TURTLES 
Introduction 

Nine  species  of  turtles  are  know^l  from  Lake  Maxinkuckee  and 
vicinity,  a  number  probably  greater  than  has  been  recorded  from 
any  other  locality  in  the  State.  Five  of  the  nine  species  are 
abundant,  while  each  of  the  remaining  four  is  rare. 

The  turtles  constitute  an  interesting  and  important  branch  of 
the  local  fauna.  Several  of  the  species  are  so  abundant  and  easily 
observed  as  to  attract  the  attention  even  of  people  who  are  little 
interested  in  nature.  The  great  numbers  that  may  be  seen  on  any 
bright  or  quiet  summer  day,  basking  on  timbers  or  boards  in  shal- 

38—17618 


592         Lake  Maxinkiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

low  water,  or  on  sandy  reaches  of  shore,  can  not  fail  of  observa- 
tion even  by  the  least  observing. 

The  turtles  are  also  among  the  most  useful  animals  of  the  lake. 
All  the  species  are  scavengers  and  do  much  to  keep  the  lake  free 
of  the  dead  fishes  and  other  animals  which  at  times  are  so  numer- 
ous that  they  would  prove  a  menace  to  the  comfort,  if  not  to  the 
health,  of  the  people  about  the  lake,  were  it  not  for  aid  rendered 
by  the  turtles  in  removing  them.  Several  of  the  species  are  valu- 
able as  food  for  man,  and  considerable  numbers  are  utilized  at  the 
lake  for  that  purpose. 

All  these  turtles  are  entirely  harmless  except,  possibly,  the 
snapping  turtle.  We  know  of  no  harm  that  any  of  them  does. 
They  should  all  be  protected. 

LIST  OF  SPECIES   • 
1.     SOFT-SHELLED  TURTLE 

AMYDA  SPINIFERA    (LeSueur) 

Compared  with  the  other  turtles  of  the  lake,  the  Softshell  has 
a  rather  northern  distribution.  It  ranges  from  Canada  southward 
to  Kentucky  and  westward  to  Minnesota.  It  is  very  abundant  in 
the  upper  Mississippi  and  its  tributaries,  great  numbers  being  fre- 
quently seen  on  or  about  the  sandbars  which  furnish  them  basking 
and  nesting  places.  It  is  rather  a  river  than  a  pond  turtle,  and 
rarely  or  never  ventures  into  small  isolated  ponds. 

At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  very  abundant,  much  more  so 
than  would  appear  to  the  casual  observer,  as  it  is  one  of  the 
shyest  and  most  wary  of  turtles,  quickly  taking  alarm  and  disap- 
pearing whenever  it  is  approached.  It  is  found  everywhere  in  the 
lake.  Its  pointed,  shapely  head  is  often  seen  sticking  up  above  the 
surface  even  over  the  deeper  waters  of  the  lake.  Examples  of  all 
sizes  have  been  taken  from  almost  every  part  of  the  lake  shore. 
It  seems  to  be  more  common  in  the  region  of  Norris  Inlet,  prob- 
ably because  this  is  the  most  sequestered  part  of  the  lake,  where  it 
is  less  likely  to  be  disturbed  than  elsewhere. 

The  Soft-shelled  Turtle  is  the  last  turtle  to  make  its  appearance 
in  the  spring,  and  the  first  to  disappear  in  the  fall.  Very  small 
ones,  benumbed  or  dead,  may  often  be  seen  along  shore  late  in  the 
autumn  and  early  in  the  spring  before  the  older  ones  appear. 
These  have  probably  been  unable  to  take  care  of  themselves.  Very 
small  ones  have  been  found  in  the  spring  as  early  as  March  18, 
but  no  large  ones  were  seen  until  April  29,  and  then  they  were  very 
scarce.     It  is  not  until  May  or  June  that  they  appear  in  abundance. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         593 

None  has  been  seen  in  the  winter,  and  we  were  uncertain  where 
they  spend  that  part  of  the  year,  until  in  the  autumn  of  1906  (Sept. 
6)  an  example  5  inches  long  was  found  buried  up  to  the  eyes  in  mud 
at  the  edge  of  Lost  Lake.  It  is  probable  that  all  of  them  bury 
themselves  in  the  mud  in  the  bottom  of  the  lake.  As  none  was  seen 
moving  under  the  ice,  it  is  thought  that  they  spend  the  winter 
in  a  quiescent  state.  The  last  one  seen  swimming  about  was  noted 
in  Lost  Lake  Sept.  7,  1906. 

This  turtle  is  fond  of  basking  during  the  hotter  portions  of 
the  year.  At  this  lake  it  generally  prefers  sandy  or  grassy  bits 
of  shore  and  is  not  often  seen  on  stakes  or  boards.  One  of  its 
favorite  haunts  was  the  sandy  stretch  of  shore  near  Farrar's. 
They  also  basked  in  numbers  at  the  edges  of  small  pools  in  the 
Inlet  marsh.  Before  the  shore  was  cleared  off,  they  used  to  bask 
in  great  numbers  along  the  south  shore  of  Outlet  Bay.  On  June  11 
many  of  these,  with  other  species,  were  seen  basking  at  this  place 
and  when  a  rush  was  made  at  them  from  a  boat,  they  scattered  in 
every  direction,  many  of  them  hiding  under  a  large,  dense,  floating 
mass  of  algae  which  was  along  the  shore  at  that  place.  The  Soft- 
shells  that  took  refuge  under  the  algse  thrust  up  their  heads  now 
and  then  to  see  what  was  going  on.  Several  were  caught.  Even 
when  stationary  they  are  hard  to  catch  and  hold  by  hand;  the  tail 
is  too  short  and  slippery  to  hold,  and  it  is  necessary  to  grasp  them 
by  the  sides,  but  this  permits  them  to  claw  one's  hand  severely. 
They  are  very  pugnacious,  and  though  the  gape  is  not  sufficiently 
large  to  allow  them  to  get  a  very  deep  hold,  even  a  small  example 
is  able  to  give  a  very  severe  pinch. 

In  some  places  this  species  basks  not  only  on  the  sandy  shore, 
but  also  on  any  log,  board  or  other  object  upon  which  they  can 
crawl.  In  Wild  Cat  Creek  just  below  the  bridge  near  Stonebrak- 
er's  mill  east  of  Burlington,  Carroll  Co.,  Indiana,  hundreds  have 
been  seen  on  the  large  boulders  with  which  the  bed  of  the  creek 
was  strewn.  There  they  would  remain  for  hours  basking  in  the 
sunshine,  sliding  quietly  into  the  water  if  a  passer-by  came  too 
near,  but  soon  returning  to  bask  again  until  evening  or  until  again 
disturbed. 

At  Maxinkuckee  they  begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  June 
and  continue  until  perhaps  near  the  end  of  July.  A  large  female 
killed  June  14  contained  33  eggs  of  various  sizes,  but  none  fully 
developed;  another  killed  on  the  same  date  contained  several  eggs 
in  the  large  distended  oviduct,  but  none  was  ready  for  laying. 
Still  another  examined  June  17  had  eggs  ready  to  deposit.  The  next 
day  a  nest  with  about  30  eggs  in  it  was  found  near  the  ice-houses. 


594         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

On  June  25  one  was  seen  digging  a  hole  in  the  sandy  shore  at  the 
southwest  side  of  the  lake  and  the  next  day  another  was  seen 
doing  the  same  thing.  Each  of  two  examples  caught  June  27  con- 
tained mature  eggs.  On  July  16,  1899,  two  eggs  were  found  on 
the  bottom  in  2  feet  of  water.  On  July  18,  1900,  at  the  south  end 
of  the  lake  just  east  of  Murray's,  two  large  soft-shells  were  seen 
hurrying  into  the  water  from  the  sandridge  pushed  up  by  the  ice. 
Upon  examination  several  nests  were  found.  The  sand  showed 
evidence  of  recent  distui'bance,  and  there  was  no  difficulty  in  find- 
ing where  the  eggs  were  buried.  There  were  probably  10  or  12 
nests  in  a  distance  of  a  few  yards  along  the  ridge,  though  we  did 
not  dig  into  all  of  them.  Some  fresh  holes  into  which  we  dug 
contained  nothing;  possibly  the  turtles  had  been  trying  different 
places  and  found  some  unsuitable.  Each  hole  was  usually  at  the 
edge  of  an  abrupt  ascent  and  was  2  to  4  inches  in  diameter  at  the 
mouth  and  generally  sloped  back  somewhat.  In  one  or  two  cases 
the  eggs  were  uncovered  but  more  often  there  was  some  sand  over 
them.  The  eggs  were  generally  at  a  depth  of  4  to  10  inches  and 
placed  either  on  the  bottom  or  on  the  sides  of  the  hole  which  usually 
widened  out  somewhat  toward  the  bottom.  Five  nests  examined 
contained  4,  25,  3,  3,  and  1  Q^g,  respectively.  The  25  eggs  in  the 
second  nest  evidently  belonged  to  two  different  sets.  In  the  bot- 
tom were  10  eggs  that  looked  old.  The  yolk  in  each  had  settled 
into  the  lower  half,  giving  it  a  pink  tinge,  while  the  upper  half  was 
opaque  white.  Above  these,  and  partially  separated  from  them 
by  sand,  were  15  other  eggs  that  were  uniform  pink  throughout 
and  had  evidently  been  deposited  later.  In  and  about  this  and 
other  nests  were  a  good  many  broken  eggs,  evidently  destroyed  by 
some  animal,  perhaps  by  the  turtles  themselves.  The  three  eggs 
in  the  third  nest  were  fresh,  but  those  in  the  fourth  and  fifth 
were  old  and  stale.  Thirteen  of  these  eggs  and  two  others  found 
elsewhere  were  taken  to  the  station  and  placed  in  sand-boxes  ex- 
posed to  the  sun,  but  none  of  them  hatched.  The  eggs  were  quite 
uniform  in  size,  most  of  them  measuring  1.09  x  1  inch. 

On  July  21,  a  large  female  was  caught  on  her  nest  by  the  side 
of  the  railroad  north  of  the  ice-houses.  Nineteen  eggs  were  found 
in  the  nest,  and  two  fully  developed  eggs  were  taken  from  the  ovi- 
duct. These  21  eggs  represented  two  different  sizes,  those  taken 
from  the  turtle  and  a  portion  of  the  others  measuring  .93  x  .93 
inch,  the  others  1.07  x  1.07  inches  and  all  were  decidedly  more 
nearly  spherical  than  any  of  those  obtained  July  18. 

The  female  Soft-shell  Turtle  caught  July  21  weighed  just  7 
pounds  and  gave  the  following  measurements : 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         595 

Length  of  carapace,  13  inches. 
Width  of  carapace,  10.5  inches. 
Length  of  head  and  neck,  9  inches. 
Length  of  fore  leg  and  foot,  4.5  inches. 
Length  of  hind  leg"  and  foot,  5.5  inches. 
Length  of  tail,  3.5  inches. 

Another  example  measured  11.75  inches  long  and  weighed  5.5 
pounds;  another  11  inches,  4  pounds;  another  female  measured, 
length  of  carapace  12.5  inches,  width  11  inches;  and  still  another 
was  12.5  by  10.25  inches. 

The  eggs  of  the  Soft-shell  probably  hatch  in  the  autumn,  and 
there  is  probably  some  range  in  the  time  of  their  hatching  just  as 
there  is  in  the  time  of  laying.  The  period  of  incubation  doubtless 
varies  somewhat  with  the  season,  whether  such  as  to  warm  up  the 
soil  considerably  or  not,  and  also  a  good  deal  with  the  nature  of 
the  soil  in  which  the  eggs  are  laid,  a  warm  sandy  soil  hatching 
them  out  sooner  than  a  colder  soil.  In  the  late  autumn  of  1906, 
on  November  16,  a  nest  of  eggs  was  found  in  the  black  mucky  soil 
near  the  south  shore  of  Outlet  Bay,  which  contained  well-formed 
young  Soft-shells,  the  color-markings  (spots  on  back)  being  dis- 
tinct. The  egg-yolk  was  not  yet  absorbed,  but  occupied  one-half 
the  shell  while  the  turtle  occupied  the  other.  It  seems  probable 
that  the  turtles  would  not  have  left  the  nest  that  year,  but  would 
have  wintered  there.     It  is  possible  that  this  was  a  belated  nest. 

As  an  article  of  food  the  Soft-shelled  Turtle  is  the  most  highly 
esteemed  of  any  of  the  species  found  in  Indiana,  the  soup  made 
from  it  being  delicious.  Not  many  of  the  cottagers  at  the  lake, 
however,  seem  to  have  acquired  a  taste  for  this  or  any  species  of 
turtle,  and  they  are  not  much  sought  after. 

This  turtle  is  the  species  most  often  caught  in  traps,  on  set- 
lines,  and  by  anglers.  On  August  8,  several  were  caught  in 
water  14  feet  deep  east  of  Long  Point  on  a  hook  baited  with  grass- 
hoppers. On  June  27,  six  were  caught  on  set-lines  baited  with 
meat,  two  others  were  obtained  the  same  way  August  1,  and  one 
on  August  17.  Set-lines  placed  in  Lost  Lake  were  always  quite 
sure  to  take  several  any  time  from  June  to  September.  In  1906, 
a  citizen  of  Culver  who  set  out  turtle  traps  caught  numbers  of 
these. 

This  species  probably  devours  dead  fish  or  other  animals  found 
in  the  water.  Its  principal  diet,  however,  as  evidenced  by  a  num- 
ber of  stomachs  examined,  appears  to  consist  of  crawfishes. 

This  turtle  has  few  enemies  and  would  be  able  to  escape  al- 
most anything  that  attempted  to  capture  it.  A  good  many  young 
appear  to  perish  during  their  first  winter.     The  stomachs  of  some 


596         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

examples  studied  were  infested  by  a  few  parasitic  round  worms, 
but  we  have  no  evidence  that  these  cause  much  injury.  Unhke  the 
scute-bearing  turtles,  this  species  is  never  covered  with  algje  or 
other  organisms,  although  one  example  was  found  in  1906  which 
had  the  plastron  covered  with  a  growth  of  Opercularia. 

This  turtle  may  be  readily  distinguished  from  all  other  turtles 
of  the  lake  by  the  flat  body,  covered  with  a  smooth  leathery  skin 
flexible  at  the  margins.  Color,  olive-green,  with  dark  spots ;  head 
and  neck  olive-green  with  light  and  dark  stripes;  legs  and  feet 
mottled  with  dark.  The  male  has  the  tubercles  on  the  front  of  the 
carapace  smaller  than  in  the  female,  the  body  longer,  and  the  tail 
extending  considerably  beyond  the  carapace. 

2.     SNAPPING  TURTLE 

CHELYDRA    SERPENTINA    (Linnaeus) 

The  Snapping  Turtle  is  of  very  wide  distribution,  its  habitat 
extending  from  Nova  Scotia  to  the  equator  and  west  to  the  Rocky 
Mountains.  It  is  doubtless  found  in  every  stream  and  pond  in 
Indiana. 

At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  quite  common,  but  not  nearly  so 
abundant  as  the  Map,  Painted,  Musk,  or  Soft-shelled  turtles.  Al- 
though they  may  be  seen  almost  anywhere  in  the  lake,  they  do 
not  often  occur  in  the  deeper,  clear  portions;  they  prefer  shallow 
water  with  soft  muddy  bottom,  especially  water  that  is  well  w^armed 
up  by  the  sun.  They  are  more  common,  therefore,  in  Lost  Lake 
than  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  and  in  the  latter  body  of  water  prefer 
shallow  bays  with  marshy  shore,  such  as  the  region  about  Norris 
Inlet  and  Outlet  Bay.  They  are  fond  of  streams  and  occur  in 
numbers  in  Norris  Inlet,  also  in  Aubeenaubee  Creek,  Culver  Inlet 
and  the  Outlet.  In  the  Norris  Inlet  region.  Outlet  Bay,  or  Lost 
Lake,  they  can  frequently  be  caught  on  set-lines  or  in  turtle-nets 
baited  with  meat.  They  are  not  often  seen  basking  about  the 
shores,  but  usually  spend  their  time  floating  or  swimming  with 
only  the  head  projecting  above  the  surface  of  the  water.  Numer- 
ous examples  of  various  sizes  were  captured  in  many  places  about 
the  lake.  They  were  captured  in  various  ways,  some  in  hauls  of 
the  seine,  some  on  set-lines,  and  many  by  hand.  A  few  were  seen 
that  had  been  taken  in  traps. 

The  Snapping  Turtle,  Snapper,  Mossback,  or  Mud  Turtle,  as  it 
is  variously  called,  is  most  frequent  in  and  about  muddy  ponds, 
streams  or  bogs.  It  may  often  be  seen  long  distances  from  water, 
however,  when  it  is  traveling  from  one  pond  to  another,  or  in 
search  of  a  suitable  place  for  depositing  its  eggs.     It  walks  along 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         597 

with  a  slow,  awkward,  halting  gait,  often  stopping,  holding  its 
head  well  up  as  if  listening  or  looking  about.  When  traveling 
about  on  the  land,  a  great  amount  of  mud  may  sometimes  be  seen 
on  the  back.  The  back  or  carapace  is  always  rough  and  more  or 
•  less  covered  with  mud,  and  there  is  often  a  heavy  growth  of  fila- 
mentous algse  on  the  back,  the  alga  being  generally  some  species  of 
Chsetomorpha. 

The  Snapper  is  a  vicious  brute.  When  attacked  it  neither  re- 
treats nor  withdraws  into  his  shell  as  most  species  do,  but  shows 
fight  at  once,  snapping  viciously  at  any  object  held  near  it.  It 
will  even  leap  forward  toward  its  tormentor.  When  its  jaws  have 
once  closed  on  the  enemy  it  holds  on  with  dog-like  persistence. 
Dr.  Hay  mentions  a  curious  belief  with  which  the  writers  have  been 
familiar  since  boyhood  days,  viz.,  that  a  snapper,  when  a  hold  has 
once  been  secured,  will  not  let  go  until  it  thunders.  Another  ver- 
sion of  this  superstition  with  which  we  are  also  familiar  is  that  the 
turtle  will  hold  on  until  the  sun  goes  down.  They  may  frequently 
be  carried  around  for  some  time  by  the  stick  which  they  have 
seized. 

These  turtles  are  carnivorous  and  very  voracious.  Their  food 
consists  of  frogs,  fishes,  crawfishes,  young  waterbirds,  and  such 
other  small  animals  as  they  can  capture.  Several  stomachs  exam- 
ined at  the  lake  all  contained  opercula  and  fragments  of  Vivipara 
contectoicles ,  indicating  that  this  mollusk  is  the  principal  food  of 
this  species  of  turtle  at  the  lake  during  certain  parts  of  the  year. 
That  they  sometimes  capture  young  ducks  and  goslings,  catching 
them  by  the  feet  and  pulling  them  under  the  water,  seems  well 
authenticated. 

They  evidently  bury  themselves  in  mud  in  swamps,  frequently 
some  distance  from  the  lake,  and  hibernate  in  winter.  A  single, 
rather  large  individual  was  seen  under  the  ice  (Lost  Lake,  Dec. 
18,  1900).  It  was  close  up  against  the  ice,  which  was  chopped 
away,  and  the  turtle,  which  was  apparently  too  benumbed  to  i^ay 
any  attention  to  what  was  going  on,  was  taken  out.  It  was  kept 
alive  over  night  in  a  coop  and  the  temperature,  which  was  some- 
what higher  than  freezing  (35°),  kept  the  turtle  in  such  a  be- 
numbed condition  that  it  could  hardly  move  by  morning. 

These  turtles  begin  coming  out  of  the  mud  about  the  middle  of 
March,  the  first  one  having  been  seen  March  19.  From  then  they 
came  out  one  by  one,  and  from  that  time  on  they  continued  to  be 
seen  on  land  until  through  the  nesting  season.  In  the  fall  they 
were  to  be  seen  about  the  lake  as  late  as  the  end  of  September. 
It  is  possible  that  the  young  turtles  spend  their  first  wintoi-  in  the 


598         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

water  or  near  it ;  they  are  usually  seen  about  the  water's  edge  and 
in  pools  early  in  the  spring.  On  April  3,  one  about  the  size  of  a 
dollar  was  caught  in  a  pool  east  of  the  railroad.  The  first  winter 
appears  to  be  a  critical  period  in  their  lives;  quite  a  number  of 
small  ones  were  found  dead  at  the  water's  edge  in  early  spring,  be- 
tween April  3  and  April  26. 

They  begin  laying  about  the  middle  of  June.  Several  were  seen 
on  or  about  nests  between  June  14  and  20.  The  nests  consist  sim- 
ply of  holes  made  in  the  sand,  usually  not  very  far  from  water. 
One  of  the  favorite  nesting  places  was  the  railroad  embankment 
between  the  lakes.  The  eggs  are  quite  spherical  in  shape  and 
about  an  inch  in  diameter.  The  shell  is  calcareous,  and,  although 
not  brittle,  somewhat  less  flexible  than  in  other  species.  The  num- 
ber of  eggs  may  vary  from  20  to  60,  and  they  hatch  in  August  or 
September.  According  to  Agassiz,  the  young  will  snap  before  they 
have  left  the  shell.  We  have  never  seen  one  so  small  that  it  would 
not  snap  viciously. 

This  turtle  is  often  used  for  soups,  though  only  the  younger 
examples  are  suitable  for  that  purpose.  The  older  individuals 
have  a  strong  disagreeable  odor,  and  the  flesh  is  tough.  Accord- 
ing to  Dr.  Hay,  Storer  wrote  that  in  Massachusetts  many  persons 
saved  the  oil  of  this  turtle  and  used  it  for  healing  bruises  and 
sprains.  "As  a  therapeutical  agent  it  is  worthy  to  stand  along- 
side of  goose,  rattlesnake  and  skunk  oil." 

This  turtle  reaches  a  large  size.  Examples  weighing  40  pounds 
each  have  been  reported,  although  one  of  12  or  16  pounds  is  gen- 
erally regarded  as  a  large  Snapper. 

The  measurements  of  3  of  the  larger  examples  taken  at  Maxin- 
kuckee  are  given  in  the  following  table: 

12  3 

Length  of  carapace    (inches) 13.25  11  7  " 

Width  of  carapace 14 .  25  10  6 .  25 

Length  of  plastron 9.12  8.5  5.25 

Width    of   plastron 5  3 .  06 

Length  of  head  and  neck 11 

Length  of  hind  leg  and  foot 9.5 

Length  of  fore  leg  and  foot 9 

Length  of  tail 12 

Weight    16  lbs.  13  lbs.  10  lbs. 

The  Snapper  has  very  few  enemies.  Very  young  examples  may 
occasionally  fall  a  prey  to  voracious  fishes,  but  the  larger  examples 
are  exempt  from  the  attacks  of  anything  except  leeches,  which 
are  usually  present  on  them  in  small  numbers.  A  Snapper  kept  in 
captivity  in  a  live  box  in  the  lake  was  badly  infested  with  them. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         599 

During-  its  confinement  in  the  box  it  became  much  emaciated,  and 
the  alga  on  its  back  grew  to  extraordinary  thickness  and  length. 
An  immense  bunch  of  leeches  had  collected  in  the  hollow  between 
the  neck  and  front  legs  and  would  probably  soon  have  caused  the 
death  of  the  turtle. 

Shell  high  in  front,  low  behind,  the  body  heaviest  forward; 
head  and  neck  very  large,  jaws  strongly  hooked  and  very  powerful; 
tail  long,  strong,  and  with  a  crest  of  horny,  compressed  tubercles ; 
plastron  small,  cross-shaped,  with  9  plates  besides  the  very  narrow 
bridge ;  claws  5-4,  strong,  the  web  small ;  color,  dusky  brown,  head 
with  dark  spots.     Size  large. 

3.     MUSK  TURTLE 

KINOSTERNON   ODORATUM    (Latreille) 

The  Musk  Turtle,  also  called  the  Stink-pot,  ranges  from  the  east- 
ern United  States  westward  to  northern  Illinois.  It  is  abundant 
in  most  parts  of  its  habitat,  particularly  in  the  small  lakes  in  the 
upper  Mississippi  Valley.  At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  one  of  the 
most  abundant  species,  it  being  exceeded  in  numbers'  only  by  the 
Map  and,  possibly,  by  the  Painted,  Turtle.  On  account  of  its  not 
having  the  basking  habit  well  developed  it  is,  however,  far  less  con- 
spicuous than  either  of  those  species. 

The  Musk  Turtles  seem  to  spend  most  of  their  time  walking 
about  on  the  bottom  of  the  lake,  and  are  particularly  fond  of 
muddy  places,  the  Outlet  region.  Green's  marsh,  Lost  Lake  and  the 
Inlet  being  their  favorite  haunts.  They  are  also  found  up  Au- 
beenaubee  Creek,  a  region  well  suited  to  them.  This  turtle  is  not 
built  well  for  swimmiing,  as  it  is  quite  deep  in  proportion  to  its 
diameters.  There  is,  however,  an  immense  amount  of  individual 
variation  in  this  respect.  It  is  a  strictly  aquatic  species,  and  comes 
out  on  dry  land,  or  even  in  the  marshes,  quite  infrequently.  It  is 
not  so  much  in  evidence  early  in  the  spring  as  the  Map  and  Painted 
turtles,  and  is  rarely  seen  basking.  The  great  majority  of  the 
numerous  examples  we  have  seen  were  observed  in  shallow  water 
in  such  places  as  Outlet  Bay,  either  walking  slowly  about  on  the 
bottom  or  partially  concealed  in  the  Chara ;  very  rarely  have  they 
been  observed  swimming  freely. 

We  have  observed  them  during  every  month  in  the  year  except 
January  and  February.  Our  earliest  record  is  INIarch  18  (1901), 
when  one  was  obtained  near  the  railroad  and  another  was  seen  on 
the  bottom  in  Culver  Inlet.  From  that  date  onward  they  could  be 
seen  any  day  when  the  water  was  smooth  and  the  conditions  favor- 
able for  observation.     Even  after  the  lake  freezes  over  they  may 


600         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

be  seen.  Our  latest  record  is  for  December  31  (1904),  when  one 
was  observed  through  the  ice  in  Outlet  Bay.  It  is,  therefore,  active 
practically  throughout  the  year.  On  December  20,  five  were  found 
alive  in  a  mink  burrow. 

Although  this  species  does  not  usually  bask,  it  does  so  occa- 
sionally. Among  a  hundred  turtles  seen  basking,  probably  there 
would  be  one  or  two  Musk  Turtles.  They  are  quite  disposed,  how- 
ever, to  rest  quietly  in  the  water  with  the  head  just  above  the 
surface. 

In  disposition,  this  is  the  most  vicious  of  any  of  our  species  ex- 
cept the  Soft-shell  and  the  Snapper.  It  is  very  sly  and  apt  to  take 
hold  of  one's  finger  when  least  expected.  It  holds  on  tenaciously 
and  would  be  capable  of  inflicting  a  painful  wound  were  its  size 
not  so  diminutive. 

As  to  food,  one  was  seen  June  6,  1901,  in  company  with  a 
Painted  Turtle,  swimming  along  behind  a  floating  dead  fish,  and 
nibbling  bits  out  of  it.  Also,  in  the  late  autumn  (Oct.  30,  1904), 
one  was  seen  nibbling  at  the  body  of  a  grass  pike  13  inches  long 
that  lay  in  the  bottom  at  the  head  of  the  Outlet.  This  turtle  or 
others  stayed  near  the  fish  several  days,  but  did  not  seem  to  make 
much  progress  in  disposing  of  it,  perhaps  because  the  cold  sea- 
son was  coming  on,  when  they  probably  eat  little  or  nothing.  On 
September  2.  3  or  4  were  seen  feeding  on  fresh  cowdung  in  the 
edge  of  Lost  Lake.  Professor  Newman  says  they  often  contain 
Vivipara  contectoides. 

We  have  not  been  able  to  determine  definitely  the  breeding  sea- 
son of  this  species.  Among  many  examples  collected  November  1 
(1904),  several  pairs  were  copulating.  On  September  13  (1906), 
a  pair  were  observed  copulating,  the  female  lying  prone,  as  if 
dead.  September  20  (1907)  a  female  found  crushed  in  the  road 
contained  eggs  quite  well  developed.  One  was  dissected  November 
27  (1904),  which  contained  eggs  the  size  of  marbles.  October  4, 
very  small  ones  were  abundant  in  shallow  water  near  shore,  some 
of  them  showing  the  placental  attachment.  These  had  probably 
hatched  but  recently.  Early  in  June,  a  good  many  may  be  seen 
walking  about  on  the  land,  and  we  supposed  they  were  hunting 
nesting  sites.  Some  very  small  ones  were  caught  May  6  and  7,  1901, 
so  they  probably  either  hatch  quite  late  in  the  year,  or  grow  very 
slowly.  This  evidence  is  so  conflicting  as  to  render  any  positive 
statements  regarding  the  breeding  season  hazardous. 

The  enemies  of  the  Musk  Turtle  do  not  appear  to  be  many.  On 
December  20  (1904),  one  was  found  at  the  Inlet  turned  up  on  its 
back  and  the  soft  parts  almost  wholly  gone,  probably  devoured 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         601 

by  a  muskrat,  the  tracks  of  which  were  in  evidence.  Another  was 
found  November  27,  partly  devoured.  Apparently  the  muskrat 
occasionally  catches  one  of  these  turtles  or  finds  it  torpid  during 
the  winter  season,  and  feed  on  it.  At  any  rate,  we  found  them 
now  and  then  (though  not  so  frequently  as  we  did  the  Painted 
Turtle)  lying  on  the  ice,  usually  belly  up,  with  the  flesh  chewed 
out  from  the  sides.  The  muskrats  were  not  actually  caught  doing 
the  work,  but,  as  it  took  us  some  time  to  catch  them  actually 
catching  mussels  and  cleaning  out  their  shells,  and  as,  on  several 
occasions,  muskrat  tracks,  and  no  other,  were  seen  coming  to  the 
turtles,  we  are  convinced  we  would  have  caught  them  at  it  if  our 
observations  could  have  been  longer  continued.  Probably  the 
muskrats  pick  up  the  turtles  and  lay  them  aside  much  as  they 
do  shells  they  are  unable  to  open,  and  after  the  turtles  are  frozen, 
devour  them. 

These  turtles  are  often  infested  by  leeches,  which  doubtless 
cause  annoyance  at  least. 

Like  the  Snapper,  the  Musk  Turtle  is  frequently  covered  with 
alg^  on  the  back,  the  algae  often  being  quite  long  and  thick.  The 
proportion  of  turtles  covered  with  algse  varies  with  the  season  and 
conditions ;  in  early  summer,  before  the  scutes  are  shed,  all  or 
nearly  all  the  turtles  would  probably  be  covered;  with  the  shed- 
ding of  the  epidermal  scutes  the  turtle  comes  forth  clean  of  algae, 
and  bright  in  color. 

During  the  late  summer  and  early  autumn  of  1906,  many  small 
musk  turtles  were  seen  surrounded  by  a  white  halo  which  was  con- 
spicuous at  a  distance,  very  much  resembling  the  general  appear- 
ance of  Saprolegnia  on  fishes.  It  was  found  upon  examination 
that  the  white  growth  consisted  of  a  dense  growth  of  a  stalked 
branched  protozoan,  Opercularia.  Later  it  was  found  that  larger 
musk  turtles  harbored  considerable  masses  of  the  protozoan  on 
the  plastron,  this  being  frequently  entirely  covered,  so  that  the 
turtles  were  practically  botanical  gardens  above  and  zoological 
gardens  below.  Neither  the  alga  nor  the  protozoan  appears  to  do 
the  turtles  any  injury.  The  alga  above  may  assist  the  turtle  in 
concealment;  the  protozoan  below  is  self-supporting,  feeding  on 
minute  organisms.  The  turtles  in  the  muddy  waters  of  Lost  Lake 
are  much  more  heavily  overgrown  than  those  of  the  clearer  waters 
of  Lake  Maxinkuckee. 

The  Musk  Turtle  is  a  harmless  creature  and  certainly  does  some 
good  as  a  scavenger.     It  should,  therefore,  be  protected. 

So  far  as  we  are  informed,  it  is  never  utilized  as  food  by  man ; 
its  small  size  and  disagreeable  odor  preclude  such  a  possibility.     It 


602         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

is  the  smallest  species  in  the  lake.  In  the  following  table  are 
given  the  weights  and  measurements  of  examples  of  the  species,  the 
first  53  of  which  were  caught  by  us  in  the  Outlet  Bay,  November  1, 
1904,  by  means  of  a  small  dipnet,  and  afterward  sent  to  the  Amer- 
ican Museum  of  Natural  History: 


No. 

Weight 

C.\R.\P.\CE 

Plastron 

in 

Length  in 

Width  in 

Length  in 

Width  in 

Date 

ounces 

inches 

inches 

inches 

inches 

1 

4.75 

4.375 

3.625 

2.375 

1.25 

Nov.;^l,[l904 

2 

7.25 

4.75 

4.50 

3.00 

1.50 

3 

3.50 

3.875 

3.75 

2.375 

1.25 

4 

5.50 

4.625 

4.00 

2.50 

1.375 

5 

3.50 

4.00 

3.625 

2.25 

1.25 

6 

5.00 

4.375 

4.00 

2.625 

1.375 

7 

5.75 

5.00 

4.00 

2.94 

1.50 

8 

7.00 

4.75 

3.375 

2.875 

1.625 

9 

7.00 

4.75 

4.25 

2.875 

1.50 

10 

7.75 

5.375 

4.625 

3.00 

1.50 

1] 

4.25 

4.25 

3.75 

2.25 

1.19 

12 

7.00 

5.00 

4.50 

3.00 

1.50 

13 

4.50 

4.312 

3.625 

2.625 

1.44 

14 

6.00 

4.75 

3.875 

2.625 

1.44 

15 

7.00 

4.75 

4.50 

3.25 

1.625 

16 

5.50 

4.625 

4.00 

2.69 

1.44 

17 

6.00 

4.56 

4.25 

2.625 

1  375 

18 

5.50 

4.25 

4.00 

2.69 

1.375 

19 

4.50 

4.25 

3.625 

2.50 

1.312 

20 

7.00 

4.56 

4.375 

3.125 

1.375 

21 

3.75 

4 

3 

2.375 

1.125 

22 

7.00 

4.50 

4.625 

3.25 

1.75 

23 

8 

5 

4.563 

2.875 

1.563 

24 

4.50 

4.06 

3.802 

2.25 

1.125 

25 

3.75 

3.802 

3.375 

2.50 

1.375 

26 

2.75 

3.6875 

3.25 

2.125 

0.94 

27 

7 

4.802 

4.50 

3.312 

1.75 

28 

3.25 

3.75 

3.312 

2.312 

1 

29 

4 

4 

3.063 

2.625 

1.375 

30 

3 

3.75 

3.25 

2.25 

1.312 

31 

3 

3.625 

3.44 

2.063 

1.25 

32 

5 

4.625 

3.94 

2.625 

1.50 

33 

6 

4.563 

4.25 

2.75 

1.375 

34 

5.75 

4.50 

4.063 

2.802 

1.375 

35 

7 

4.802 

4.44 

2.802 

1.50 

36 

5.75 

4.69 

4.25 

2.563 

1.312 

37 

6 

4.875 

4.25 

2.802 

1.50 

38 

2.75 

3.75 

3:312 

2.19 

1.063 

39 

5 

4.563 

3.802 

2.625 

1.625 

40 

5.75 

4.625 

4.125 

2.75 

1.50 

41 

3.25 

4.375 

4.125 

2.875 

1.625 

Nov.  3,  1904 

42 

6.50 

4.875 

4.312 

2.75 

1.50 

43 

6.50 

4.75 

4.25 

2.625 

1.563 

44 

6 

4.75 

4.50 

2.50 

1.375 

45 

4.25 

4  125 

3.75 

2.50 

1.375 

46 

3.75 

4.063 

2.563 

2.50 

1.125 

47 

4.25 

4.25 

3.802 

2.50 

1.44 

48 

3.25 

3.875 

3.50 

2.25 

1.187 

49 

2 

3.25 

3 

1.75 

1 

50 

3 

3.50 

2.187 

2.187 

1.187 

51 

4 

3.94 

3.687 

2.50 

1.44 

52 

3.75 

3.312 

2.50 

2.50 

1.687 

April  29,  1901 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         003 


No. 

Weight 
in 

Car\p.\ce 

Plastron 

Length  in 

Width  in 

Length  in 

Width  in 

Date 

ounces 

inches 

inches 

inches 

inches 

53 

6.375 

4.25 

2.75 

3.375 

1.875 

54 

5 

3.687 

2.563 

2.94 

1.687 

55 

7.25 

5 

4.75 

3 

1.375 

Oct.  21,  1907 

56 

6 

4.625 

4.25 

2.563 

1.44 

57 

6.50 

4.25 

4.50 

2.94 

1.50 

58 

3.25 

3.75 

3.50 

2.25 

1.187 

59 

7 

5.125 

4.44 

2.75 

1.625 

60 

6.25 

4.563 

4.375 

2.875 

1.50 

61 

4.25 

4.187 

3.625 

2.375 

1.312 

62 

2.25 

3.625 

3.44 

2.19 

1.19 

63 

4 

3.94 

3.75 

2.375 

1.25 

64 

6.25 

4.625 

4.125 

2.875 

1.50 

65 

4.25 

4.125 

3.75 

2.375 

1.25 

66 

2.75 

3.75 

3.25 

2.19 

1.063 

67 

3.75 

3.94 

3.625 

2.44 

1.25 

68 

4.50 

4 

3.25 

2.375 

1.311 

69 

5.25 

4.44 

4.00 

2.615 

1.312 

70 

3.25 

3.625 

3.44 

2.19 

1.19 

71 

3 

3.625 

3.375 

2.25 

1.125 

72 

7 

4.94 

4.25 

3.00 

1.563 

73 

4.50 

3.94 

3.44 

2.44 

1.25 

74 

4.75 

4.375 

4.063 

2.625 

1.44 

75 

7 

4.875 

4.50 

2.875 

1.50 

76 

4.50 

4.063 

3.625 

2.50 

1.25 

77 

5.25 

4.19 

4.00 

2.875 

1.312 

78 

7 

4.75 

4.44 

2.625 

1.375 

79 

5.75 

4.125 

3.19 

2.50 

1.44 

80 

5.75 

4.75 

4.125 

2.563 

1.44 

81 

2.25 

3.19 

3 

1.94 

1 

82 

4.25 

4.125 

3.19 

2.375 

1.19 

83 

3 

3.625 

3.375 

2.25 

1.125 

84 

3 

3.50 

3.25 

2.25 

1.125 

85 

7.25 

5.25 

4.312 

2.94 

1.625 

86 

4 

4 

3.625 

2.25 

1.19 

87 

6 

4.50 

4.25 

2.69            !            1.375 

88 

6.25 

4.75 

4.25 

2.75                        1.563 

89 

6 

4.75 

4.25 

2.75 

1.375 

90 

4.25 

4 

3.625 

2.50 

1.25 

91 

3.25 

3.50 

3.25 

2.125 

1.125 

92 

6 

4.69 

4.312 

2.625 

1.375 

93 

6.75 

5.063 

4.312 

3 

1.563 

94 

3.00 

3.563 

3.375 

2.25 

1.125 

95 

5.75 

4.50 

4.00 

2.802 

1.312 

96 

3.00 

3.625 

3.25 

2.25 

1.125 

97 

4.25 

4.44 

3.875 

2.625 

1.50 

98 

4.75 

4.25 

4.19 

2.50 

1.375 

99 

3.00 

3.625 

3.25 

2.125 

1.125 

100 

4.50 

4.19 

3.75 

2.625 

1.312 

101 

5 

4.375 

3.94 

2.50 

1.25 

102 

4.50 

4.375 

3.875 

2.44 

1.375 

103 

3.75 

3.94 

3.50 

2.375 

1.25 

104 

7 

4.75 

4.69 

2.875 

1.50 

105 

6 

4.50 

4.25 

2.75 

1.625 

106 

7.50 

5.25 

4.50 

2.875 

1.50 

Oc  .  22.  1907 

107 

5.25 

4.125 

4 

2.75 

1.375 

108 

6.50 

4.94 

4.125 

2.802 

1.50 

109 

6.25 

4.563 

4.25 

3.063 

1  503 

110 

4 

4.125 

3.94 

2.50 

1.312 

111 

2.50 

3.563 

3.19 

2.125 

1.063 

112 

6.25 

4.875 

4.69 

2.69 

1  375 

604         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


No. 

Weight 

C.\RAPACE 

Plastron 

in 

Length  in 

Width  in 

Length  in 

Width  in 

Date 

ounces 

inches 

inches 

inches 

inches 

113 

5.25 

4.375 

4.125 

2.802 

1.312 

114 

4.50 

4.25 

3.94 

2.75 

1.25 

115 

4.50 

4.25 

3.94 

2.50 

1.375 

116 

6.25 

4,75 

4.125 

2.755 

1.50 

117 

6.25 

4.75 

4.375 

2.875 

1.44 

118 

5.25 

4.312 

4.505 

2.69 

1.50 

119 

3.75 

4.063 

3.625 

2.44 

1.312 

120 

5.50 

4.625 

4.125 

2.625 

1.375 

121 

7 

5 

4.625 

2.94 

1.563 

122 

2.75 

3.563 

3.312 

2.19 

1.125 

123 

4.25 

4.375 

3.802 

2.50 

1.375 

124 

2.25 

3.25 

3.063 

1.875 

0.94 

125 

4.50 

4.063 

3.875 

2.312 

1.25 

126 

2.75 

3.312 

3.25 

2.19 

1.063 

127 

3.75 

4.063 

3.75 

2.50 

1.19 

128 

6.25 

4.802 

4.25 

2.69 

1.50 

129 

5 

4.50 

4.125 

2.69 

1.44 

130 

6.25 

4.69 

4.312 

2.94 

1.44 

131 

3.50 

3.94 

3.69 

2.375 

1.312 

132 

3.25 

3.875 

3.375 

2.44 

1.19 

133 

3.50 

3.75 

3.563 

2.25 

1.19 

134 

8.50 

5.125 

5.00 

3.00 

1.625 

135 

4.25 

4.312 

3.875 

2.563 

1.375 

136 

3.25 

3.875 

3.25 

2.312 

1.25 

137 

5.75 

4.563 

4.125 

2.94 

1.563 

138 

2.75 

3.75 

3.312 

2.25 

1.19 

139 

5.25 

4.563 

4.125 

2.563 

1.375 

140 

5.25 

4.44 

4 

2.625 

1.44 

141 

4.00 

4.063 

3.75 

2.625 

1.25 

142 

4 

4.25 

4.00 

2.50 

1.312 

143 

3.50 

3.75 

3.625 

2.125 

1.19 

144 

5.25 

4.69 

4.312 

2.69 

1.375 

145 

3.25 

3.69 

3.625 

2.25 

1.19 

146 

6.50 

4.802 

4.625 

2.802 

1.50 

147 

3.50 

4.00 

3.44 

2.375 

1.19 

148 

4.75 

4.125 

4.00 

2.50 

1.312 

149 

4.00 

4.00 

3.94 

2.50 

1.312 

150 

5.25 

4.44 

4.25 

2.75 

1.50 

151 

3 

3.75 

3.50 

2.375 

1.25 

152 

6.25 

4.94 

4.625 

2.75 

1.44 

153 

4 

4.063 

3.802 

2.375 

1.312 

154 

2.50 

3.625 

3.25 

2.25 

1.125 

155 

2.75 

3.563 

3.19 

2.19 

1.125 

156 

2 

3.19 

3.125 

1.94 

1.00 

157 

3.25 

3.802 

3.563 

2,375 

1.25 

Oct.  21,  1907 

158 

3.50 

3.94 

3.563 

2.44 

1.375 

159 

4.75 

4.312 

4.063 

2.50 

1.50 

160 

3.00 

3.802 

3.375 

2.25 

1.375 

161 

5.00 

4.312 

4.063 

2.62S 

1.44 

162 

3.50 

3.875 

3.375 

2.312 

1.125 

163 

2.75 

3.75 

3.25 

2.25 

1.19 

164 

3.25 

3.802 

3.563 

2.25 

1.19 

165 

3.50 

3.563 

3.375 

2.19 

1.125 

166 

3.75 

4 

3.563 

2.25 

1.19 

167 

1.75 

3.063 

2.875 

1.94 

0.875 

168 

.50 

2.19 

2.25 

1.25 

0.69 

169 

.50 

1.94 

2.063 

1.19 

0.563 

170 

.50 

,     1.94 

2.00 

1.063 

0.625 

171 

.25 

1.44 

1.50 

.802 

.50 

Average. 

4.66 

4.19 

3.78 

2.51 

1.32 

Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         605 

The  Musk  Turtle  may  be  known  from  the  following  description  : 
Carapace  rather  long-  and  narrow,  the  outline  rising  gradually 
from  the  front  to  a  point  beyond  the  center,  then  abruptly  de- 
scending, the  bulk  of  the  body,  therefore,  thrown  backwards; 
margin  of  carapace  turning  downward  and  inward  rather  than 
outward;  shell  dusky,  clouded,  sometimes  spotted;  neck  with  two 
yellow  stripes,  one  from  above  the  eye,  the  other  from  below  it; 
head  very  large,  with  strong  jaws;  carapace  with  traces  of  a  keel. 
Leng-th  6  inches  or  less. 

4.     MAP  TURTLE 

GRAPTEMYS  GEOGRAPHICA   (LeSueur) 

The  Map  Turtle  is  found  from  the  Mississippi  Valley  eastward 
to  New  York,  but  is  more  common  in  the  western  part  of  the  range. 
It  is  common  everywhere  in  the  lakes  and  larger  streams  of  In- 
diana. 

At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  by  far  the  most  abundant  turtle  and 
is  found  in  all  parts  of  the  lake ;  the  heads  may  often  be  seen  stick- 
ing up  above  the  surface  even  in  the  deeper  portions  of  the  lake. 
Like  most  of  the  other  turtles  of  the  lake,  however,  they  prefer 
shallow  bays.  Examples  have  been  taken  almost  everywhere  about 
the  shores  of  the  Jake.  It  occurs  in  both  lakes,  in  the  lagoons  be- 
tween them,  in  the  Inlet  and  Outlet,  and  perhaps  also  in  the  smaller 
streams  about  the  lake.  It  does  not  travel  far  from  shore,  and  is 
not  found  in  the  pools  and  woodland  ponds  of  the  region. 

The  Map  Turtle  makes  its  appearance  swimming  at  the  surface 
or  basking,  early  in  the  spring;  the  first  seen  in  1901  was  on  April 
27,  and  they  were  seen  in  gradually  increasing  numbers  from  that 
time  on.  They  are  very  abundant  from  May  to  August  or  Sep- 
tember. They  are  essentially  aquatic  in  their  habits  and  are  never 
seen  away  from  the  water  except  when  laying  their  eggs.  Though 
most  numerous  near  the  shore  and  in  protected  bays,  they  may 
often  be  seen  far  from  shore  out  in  the  lake,  slowly  swimming 
about  or  quietly  resting  at  the  surface.  When  approached,  they 
sink  silently  beneath  the  surface,  swim  slowly  a  short  distance, 
again  come  up  and  rest  with  head  above  the  water  as  before.  In 
our  seining  operations  about  the  lake  small  map  turtles  were  taken 
at  nearly  every  haul.  They  were  particularly  abundant  in  the 
patches  of  Scirpus  and  on  sandy  bottom  covered  with  a  growth  of 
Chara.  They  were  less  common  among  the  Potamogetons,  Myrio- 
phyllum  and  Ceratophyllum.  A  few  can  usually  be  seen  on  any 
log,  board  or  other  floating  object  of  sullicient  size  and  stability, 


606         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

but  they  most  delight  in  low,  sandy,  somewhat  grassy  beaches.  A 
favorite  basking  place  of  this  kind  is  on  the  south  side  of  Outlet 
Bay  near  the  wagon  bridge.  Here  a  score  or  more  could  often  be 
seen.  They  would  crawl  out  upon  the  shore  about  8  or  9  o'clock 
in  the  morning,  or  earlier  if  the  day  were  bright  and  warm,  and 
there  they  would  remain  for  many  hours.  They  usually  rest 
quietly  basking  in  the  sun,  occasionally  moving  about  a  little. 
From  the  amount  of  time  they  spend  basking  during  the  day,  it 
is  supposed  that  they  feed  principally  at  night. 

The  basking  ground  along  the  south  shore  of  Outlet  Bay  was 
so  much  used  that  the  grass  and  weeds  were  much  worn  off  by  the 
turtles,  and  a  great  many  shed  scutes  were  to  be  found  there. 
A  dense  growth  of  algae  occurred  near  shore  in  which  the  turtles 
would  hide  when  frightened.  On  April  23  a  Map  Turtle  of  medium 
size  was  seen  basking,  sitting  crosswise  on  the  back  of  a  somewhat 
larger  Painted  Turtle. 

The  time  of  mating  was  not  positively  observed.  On  October 
4,  and  later  in  the  fall,  they  appeared  frequently  in  pairs  walking 
about  on  the  bottom  of  the  lake,  or  a  small  one  following  a  large 
one  about.  On  April  27  small  ones  were  also  noted  following  large 
ones  about  as  if  about  to  mate.  As  a  pair  of  musk  turtles  were 
observed  actually  mating  in  the  autumn,  it  is  probable  that  the 
other  turtles,  including  this  species,  occasionally  do  so  at  that  time. 
They  begin  laying  their  eggs  at  least  as  early  as  June  12.  They 
do  not  go  far  from  the  water,  but  dig  their  nests  in  the  sandy  shores 
or  banks  near  the  lake.  They  even  sometimes  attempt  to  make 
nests  in  rather  stiff  clay,  or  in  rather  hard  ground.  On  June  18 
one  was  seen  in  the  road  back  of  the  Miller  cottage,  digging  a  hole 
for  a  nest.  The  hind  feet  were  used  in  digging.  On  June  23  one 
was  seen  on  her  nest  between  the  ties  of  the  railroad  south  of  the 
ice-houses.  After  the  turtle  had  left,  the  place  was  examined  and 
11  eggs  were  found.  Occasionally  an  egg  may  be  dropped  in  the 
water  or  on  the  shore  where  there  is  no  nest.  The  eggs  are  ellipti- 
cal-cylindrical, about  l^xf  inch,  the  shell  being  quite  soft  and 
flexible. 

This  turtle  continues  basking  later  in  the  fall  than  any  other 
species.  On  November  2  and  3  quite  a  number  were  seen  on  the 
stones  along  the  east  side  of  the  lake,  and  one  was  seen  basking 
as  late  as  November  22.  Late  in  autumn  when  the  air  gets  chilly 
these  turtles,  when  basking  on  stones  or  boards,  assume  a  pe- 
culiar position.  The  legs,  instead  of  being  drawn  up  toward  the 
body,  are  stretched  out  straight  and  stiff  and  the  turtle  on  being 
approached  tumbles  rather  than  scrambles  into  the  water.     The 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         607 

cold  of  autumn  benumbs  thorn  quite  considerably.  On  November 
30,  while  walking-  along-  the  south  shore  of  the  lake,  several  turtles 
of  this  species  were  observed  to  leave  shore  and  take  to  the  water. 
They  attempted  to  dive,  but  were  unable  to  do  so;  they  plunged 
their  heads  below  the  surface,  tilting  up  the  posterior  part  of  the 
body,  and  finally  succeeded  in  getting  all  under  water  except  the 
hind  legs,  which,  projecting  above  the  surface,  fanned  the  air 
frantically  in  the  most  ludicrous  fashion.  Seven  of  these  turtles 
were  caught ;  four  of  them  were  quite  large.  They  were  placed  in 
an  open-bottomed  live-box  near  the  station  where  it  was  thought 
they  would  bury  themselves  in  the  soft  sand  for  the  winter.  All, 
however,  were  soon  frozen. 

In  the  autumn  these  turtles,  along  with  the  Painted,  show  a 
tendency  to  migrate  from  the  larger  lake  into  Lost  Lake.  They 
usually  go  down  the  Outlet,  but  in  the  autumn  of  1906  a  dam  was 
built  across  the  Outlet  at  the  railroad  bridge,  and  the  turtles  were 
seen  in  considerable  numbers  climbing  over  the  dam  or  making 
the  journey  over  the  road  by  land. 

The  Map  Turtle  does  not  hibernate,  but  many,  if  not  all  of 
them  keep  walking  about  on  the  bottom  of  the  lake,  where  they 
can  be  seen  through  the  ice  whenever  it  is  clear.  Throughout  the 
winter  of  1900-1901  they  could  be  seen  any  day  when  the  ice 
was  not  covered  with  snow.  1\\  the  early  winter  of  that  year  these 
turtles  appeared  to  congregate  in  considerable  numbers  in  the 
northwest  corner  of  Lost  Lake,  in  shallow^  water  near  shore.  On 
Dec.  15,  25  were  counted  in  this  place,  and  only  one  or  two  were 
seen  elsewhere.  Later  on  in  the  season  they  w^ere  found  in  various 
other  places ;  a  good  many  w^ere  found  in  the  bottom  of  Outlet  Bay. 
On  Christmas  day,  1900,  in  walking  out  119  steps  from  Chadwick's 
pier,  69  map  turtles  and  one  musk  turtle  were  counted.  They 
were  also  found  in  some  numbers  in  the  Norris  Inlet  region.  Those 
turtles  keep  moving  about  more  or  less  all  winter,  although  they 
are  not  nearly  so  active  as  in  the  summer ;  and  they  probably  eat 
little  or  nothing.  They  do  not  appear  to  swim  any  or  leave  the 
bottom.  They  do  not  appear  to  take  fright  easily  and  would  prob- 
ably be  unable  to  make  good  time  in  attempting  to  escape  even  if 
they  tried;  one  can  walk  above  them  and  study  their  actions  in  de- 
tail through  the  clear  ice.  While  walking  about  the  motion  of  the 
limbs  is  quite  jerky  and  irregular.  Where  they  walked  ovrr  soft 
bare  muddy  bottom  the  tracks  left  by  them  could  be  plainly  seen, 
two  parallel  rows  of  dots,  the  distance  between  the  rows  indicating 
the  size  of  the  turtle;  by  following  these,  the  animal  could  fre- 
quently be  tracked  down. 

39—17618 


608         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

The  Map  Turtle  is  unable  to  withstand  a  freezing  temperature, 
at  least  in  air.  During  the  winter  several  were  caught  where  the 
ice  men  had  taken  out  ice,  and  were  set  out  on  the  ice.  They  began 
to  stiffen  almost  immediately,  and  froze  solid  in  a  very  short  time. 
They  were  very  gradually  thawed  out  by  being  placed  in  cold 
water,  but  did  not  revive. 

The  Map  Turtle  is  probably  a  scavenger  and  does  much  to  rid 
the  lake  of  dead  animal  matter.  It  also  feeds  largely  on  the  smaller 
mollusks,  particularly  Viviixtra  contectoides.  It  is  never  used  for 
food,  perhaps  on  account  of  its  small  size  as  compared  with  the 
two  species  here  used  for  food,  the  Snapper  and  Soft-shell.  So 
far  as  our  observations  go  it  has  no  enemies  except,  possibly, 
leeches. 

The  Map  Turtles  reach  only  a  moderate  size.  The  largest  ex- 
amples seen  by  us  weighed  4  to  4|  pounds. 

The  following  table  gives  weights  and  measurements  of  24  in- 
dividuals examined: 


MEASUREMENTS  OF  MAP  TURTLES 


No. 

\v 

„:„i,4. 

C.\R.\PACE 

Plastron 

Length 
(Straight ) 

Length 
(Cjrve) 

Width 

(Straight) 

Width 
(Curve) 

Length 

Width 

1 
2 

3 
4 
5 
6 

4  lbs. 

4.25 

4 

3 

2oz. 

2oz. 

6   14  oz 

10.25 
10.75 
10.40 
8.75 
4.20 
4.07 
4.75 
3.94 
3.63 
3.43 
3.25 
2.19 
2.13 
8.00 
3.38 
3.43 
3.81 
3.67 
2.13 
2.125 
2.125 
3 

4.434 
4.744 

10.75 

11.00 

10.60 

9.20 

4.27 

2.25 

7.50 
7.50 
7.12 
6.37 
3.25 
3.20 
3.63 
1.13 
2.94 
2.81 
3.06 
2,00 
1.94 

9.75 
9.00 
9.33 

8.37 
3.80 
3.88 

9.12 
9.25 
9.00 
8.00 
3.63 
3.50 
3.88 
3.43 
3.13 
2.43 
3.00 
1.94 
1.81 

5.00 
5.00 
4.88 
4.50 
2.00 
1.88 
">  88 

s 

4 
3 

2 

2 

23  oz. 
32  oz. 
65  oz. 
43  oz. 

85  oz. 

,(J1   nv 

2  43 

9 

2  31 

10 

2  13 

11 

2  25 

12 

1  43 

13 

1  38 

14 

2  lbs. 

3  oz. 
2.5  oz. 
3.5  oz. 
3.25  oz. 

■ 

15 

2.87 

2.75 

2.87 

2.75 

1.87 

2.25 

2,25 

2.93 

3.868 

4.4.34 

2.87 
3.00 
3  25 

1  63 

16 

1  56 

17 

1  67 

18 

3  13 

1.50 

19 

1.87 
1.682 
1  682 

1.37 

20 

.75  oz. 

.75  oz. 
1 . 50  oz . 
4.50  oz. 
6  00  m. 

.93 

21 

93 

22 

2.4.34 

3.50 

3.93 

1  31 

23 

1  744 

24 

9 

The  Map  Turtle  is  usually  free  from  growths  of  alg£e  or  other 
organisms.  The  young  differ  from  the  older  in  being  decidedly 
more  strongly  keeled,  the  portions  of  the  carapace  each  side  of  the 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Surveij         G09 

keel  being  rather  straight,  so  that  the  shell  of  the  young  turtle 
looks  somewhat  like  a  roof.  The  young  are  covered  with  delicate 
reticulations  which  give  pleasing  color  patterns,  but  which  disap- 
pear more  or  less  completely  in  the  adult.  This  is  one  of  the  most 
inoffensive  of  the  turtles  and  can  hardly  be  induced  to  bite. 

Carapace  ovate,  broadest  behind,  the  margins  flaring  outward, 
highest  near  the  middle  and  not  strongly  convex;  carapace  strongly 
notched  behind  and  usually  decidedly  keeled.  Color  dark  olive 
brown,  with  greenish  and  yellowish  streaks  and  reticulations,  es- 
pecially distinct  on  neck,  legs  and  edge  of  carapace;  plastron  yel- 
lowish. 

5.     ELEGANT  TURTLE 

PSEUDEMYS  ELEGANS   (Wicd) 

This  is  the  rarest  as  well  as  the  most  beautiful  turtle  occurring 
about  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  Its  habitat  extends  from  the  Carolinas 
to  Mexico  and  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  northward  to  Indiana  and 
northwestward  to  the  Yellowstone.  It  was  described  originally 
from  specimens  taken  near  New  Harmony,  Indiana.  According 
to  Dr.  Hay  it  has  been  found  at  Mt.  Carmel,  111.,  and  in  the  Tippe- 
canoe at  Winamac.  At  the  latter  place  Dr.  Hay  obtained  a  speci- 
men about  July  1,  1892.  There  seem  to  be  no  other  Indiana  rec- 
ords until  now. 

During  our  several  seasons  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee  we  obtained 
but  one  specimen  of  this  turtle.  This  was  secured  by  Mr.  Clark 
June  13,  1901,  at  the  south  end  of  the  lake  near  the  small  spring, 
where,  about  200  feet  from  shore,  the  water  was  about  3  feet  deep 
and  the  bottom  covered  with  Chara.  The  specimen  was  a  very  fine 
one.  The  length  was  about  6  inches.  We  saw  the  shell  of  a  sec- 
ond example  in  a  shop  in  Culver.  It  had  been  caught  in  a  trap  in 
Lost  Lake,  and  the  carapace  was  9.5  inches  long  and  7  inches 
across. 

We  know  but  little  of  the  habits  of  this  fine  turtle.  It  is  prob- 
ably entirely  aquatic. 

It  may  be  known  from  the  following  description : 

Shell  broad  and  depressed ;  carapace  serrated  behind,  a  slight 
emargination  in  each  scute  and  deeper  ones  between  them. 

Color  of  carapace  olive,  with  lines  and  spots  of  yellow  and 
black,  the  lines  running  mostly  lengthwise  on  the  vertebral  scutes, 
and  transversely  on  the  costals ;  a  yellow  band  of  varying  width 
down  the  middle  of  each  costal  scute,  parallel  with  other  lines  and 
bands  of  black  and  yellow,  some  narrow,  some  wide ;  on  the  upper 
and  lower  surfaces  of  marginal  scutes  are  spots  consisting  of  con- 


610         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

centric  circles  of  yellow  and  black;  between  them  a  yellow  band 
crossing  each  marginal;  plastron  yellow,  with  a  black  blotch  on 
each  scute,  these  often  ocellated  with  yellow ;  spots  on  bridge 
usually  confluent;  head  with  numerous  narrow  stripes  of  greenish 
or  yellow;  a  broad  stripe  from  under  eye  extending  backward  on 
neck,  being  met  at  angle  of  mouth  by  a  stripe  from  middle  of  lower 
jaw;  another  stripe,  often  blood  red,  from  posterior  corner  of  eye 
running  back  on  neck;  legs  and  tail  striped  with  yellow. 
Length  10  inches  or  less. 

6.     WESTERN  PAINTED  TURTLE 

CHRYSEMYS  MARGINATA    (Agassiz) 

The  Western  Painted  Turtle  is  found  from  central  New  York 
westward  through  the  Great  Lakes  and  the  Mississippi  Valley  and 
southward  to  the  Gulf.  It  is  generally  common  and  is  abundant 
throughout  Indiana.  It  is  found  in  practically  every  stream,  pond 
and  lake  in  the  state.  While  it  is  not  rare  in  running  streams,  it 
is  in  the  small  lakes  and  ponds  that  it  most  delights  to  dwell. 
Choice  situations  are  small  muddy  ponds  in  which  are  many  old 
logs  or  chunks  on  which  they  may  bask. 

Next  to  the  Map  Tui-tle  this  is  the  most  abundant  species  in 
Lake  Maxinkuckee ;  and,  excepting  the  Spotted  Turtle  and  the  Ele- 
gant Turtle,  it  is  the  most  beautiful. 

In  the  spring  they  are  first  noticed  about  the  middle  of  March 
in  the  small  pools  along  the  railroad  between  Green's  flat  and  the 
Outlet.  Here  they  become  very  abundant  in  April,  sitting  on  logs, 
chunks,  or  other  objects,  sunning  themselves.  They  do  not  ap- 
pear in  numbers  in  the  lake  proper  until  later.  By  the  first  of  June 
they  can  be  found  anywhere  in  shallow  water  about  the  lake. 

During  the  summer  and  until  December  they  may  be  seen  bask- 
ing in  the  sun.  Wherever  a  log,  post,  board  or  other  object  af- 
fords support  above  the  water  there  they  will  sit  quietly  all  day 
long,  sliding  off  into  the  water  only  when  disturbed.  A  favorite 
place  was  on  the  boards  and  timbers  in  the  lake  off  the  ice-houses. 
From  July  to  October  hundreds  could  be  seen  at  this  place.  The 
earliest  and  latest  dates  upon  which  we  saw  this  species  basking 
were  March  17  and  December  3.  They  were  observed  moving 
about  under  the  ice  as  late  as  December  16. 

Near  the  end  of  Long  Point  on  the  north  side  was  a  portion 
of  an  old  pier  which  had  drifted  ashore  and  grounded  in  shallow 
water.  This  was  a  favorite  basking  place  for  turtles  throughout 
the  summer  and  fall,  and  40  to  50  could  be  seen  there  any  time. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         611 

When  disturbed  they  would  scurry  into  the  water  where  they  could 
be  seen  scattered  about  near  the  pier,  their  heads  sticking  out  of 
the  water,  ready  to  crawl  out  again  when  the  cause  of  their  alarm 
had  disappeared.  The  majority  were  painted  turtles,  though  there 
were  usually  among  them  several  maps  and  a  few  soft-shells,  an 
occasional  musk  turtle,  and  now  and  then  a  snapper. 

On  July  25,  1899,  280  painted  turtles  were  caught  at  one  haul 
with  a  35-foot  seine  off  the  Assembly  grounds. 

This  turtle  is  a  shallow  water  species  and  is  not  often  observed 
out  in  the  lake  at  any  great  distance  from  the  shore;  in  this 
respect  it  differs  markedly  from  the  Map  Turtle,  the  Soft-shell  and 
the  Snapper.  We  have  no  record  of  any  Painted  Turtle  having 
been  seen  in  the  lake  more  than  a  few  rods  from  shore. 

On  the  other  hand  it  is  seen  oftener  than  any  other  species  on 
dry  land  about  the  lake. 

Early  in  June  they  begin  wandering  about,  apparently  hunting 
for  suitable  nesting  places.  They  probably  wander  farther  from 
the  lake  than  any  other  species  (excepting  the  Snapper),  and  may 
be  seen  in  the  fields,  pastures,  along  the  railroad,  and  in  the  open 
woods.  They  laj^  their  eggs  about  the  middle  of  June  in  shallow 
holes  which  they  dig  in  the  sand  with  their  hind  feet.  The  eggs 
appear  to  hatch  out  late  in  the  fall.  On  September  28  a  nest  of  10 
young,  each  about  an  inch  long,  was  dug  up  in  a  potato  field  on 
Long  Point.  Favorite  nesting  sites  are  the  sandy  slopes  of  the 
railroad  grade  and  the  Assembly  grounds,  the  field  south  of  Green's 
fiat,  and  the  north  shore  of  Long  Point.  Soon  after  hatching  the 
young  seek  the  nearest  water,  crawl  into  the  mud,  and  remain  until 
spring. 

In  the  fall  they  seem  restless  and  wander  about  a  great  deal. 
They  are  often  seen  crossing  the  railroad  between  the  main  lake 
and  Lost  Lake.  The  number  killed  by  passing  trains  is  astonish- 
ingly great.  It  is  probably  within  safe  limits  to  say  that  not  fewer 
than  a  hundred  are  killed  at  Maxinkuckee  every  year  by  passing 
trains.     Many  are  also  killed  by  wagons  on  the  public  highway. 

Along  with  the  painted  turtles  killed  in  these  ways  there  are 
killed  a  good  many  map  turtles  and  a  few  each  of  the  snapiiers 
and  musk  turtles,  as  well  as  a  great  many  frogs,  toads,  and  snakes. 

The  Painted  Turtle  muds  up  and  hibernates  during  the  winter. 
We  never  observed  many  under  the  ice.  Early  in  the  fall  those 
about  Outlet  Bay  and  along  the  west  side  of  the  lake  tend  to  mi- 
grate to  Lost  Lake,  or  more  definitely  to  Green's  flat  and  the  shal- 
low ponds  along  the  railroad  below  the  Outlet. 


612         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Here  they  "mud  up"  for  a  brief  period.  The  first  warm  days 
of  March  call  them  forth,  however,  and  they  may  again  be  seen 
on  the  logs  and  chunks  basking-  in  the  sun. 

The  food  of  this  turtle  consists  chiefly  of  small  mollusks,  crusta- 
ceans, insect  larvae,  and  dead  fish.  On  June  6  a  Painted  Turtle  and 
a  Stink-pot  were  observed  both  feeding  on  a  floating  dead  fish,  and 
at  other  times  we  have  seen  the  former  species  feeding  upon  dead 
fish.  In  every  case  the  turtles  began  eating  at  the  caudal  end  of 
the  fish. 

We  have  no  evidence  that  this  species  ever  catches  live  fish. 
The  stomach  of  one  examined  October  8  contained  a  quantity  of 
Spirogyra.  Others  examined  contained  Spirogyra  and  quantities 
of  another  alga,  Lyngbya ;  another  contained  some  Naias.  This 
turtle  is  therefore  largely  a  vegetable  feeder.  It  is  probably  chiefly 
a  scavenger  and  in  this  capacity  serves  a  useful  purpose  in  freeing 
the  lake  beaches  of  dead  fishes,  waterdogs,  and  the  like,  which 
wash  up  on  the  shore  in  considerable  numbers. 

This  turtle  is  not  often  used  as  food,  although  there  is  no  rea- 
son why  it  should  not  be  so  utilized.  It  has  no  disagreeable  odor 
and  the  flesh  is  doubtless  tender,  palatable  and  nutritious. 

The  enemies  of  the  Painted  Turtle  are  not  many.  Among  ani- 
mals doubtless  the  worst  is  the  muskrat.  On  December  18  a  large 
example  of  this  turtle  was  found  at  Norris  Inlet,  turned  on  its 
back  and  partly  devoured.  Muskrat  tracks  were  the  only  ones 
about,  and  it  is  evident  that  that  animal  had  been  feeding  on  it. 
It  is  this  turtle  more  than  any  other  that  is  found,  back  down,  on 
tussocks  in  the  winter  along  the  Inlet  and  Outlet,  and  with  the 
body  more  or  less  gnawed  away,  probably  the  work  of  muskrats. 

On  another  occasion  (November  19),  we  found  a  small  live 
Painted  Turtle  lying  upside  down  on  a  log.  It  may  have  been  left 
there  by  a  muskrat  or  a  raccoon. 

Leeches  are  often  found  on  this  turtle  and  doubtless  cause  it 
considerable  annoyance.  All  the  turtles  of  the  lake,  but  this  one 
especially,  usually  harbor  the  flat  leech  (Clejjsine)  in  considerable 
numbers.  These  are  usually  found  on  the  bare  skin  along  the 
sides  and  in  the  axils  of  the  arms,  at  which  time  they  are  probably 
sucking  blood.  The  leeches  are  also  frequently  found  on  the  shell 
of  the  turtle,  either  on  the  carapace  or  plastron,  but  when  in  this 
situation,  it  is  doubtful  if  they  are  obtaining  any  food.  Winter 
seems  to  be  the  period  of  greatest  mortality  with  them ;  in  spring, 
one  occasionally  finds  them  lying  about  dead  in  such  places  as  they 
make  their  winter  quarters,  such  as  the  pools  in  Green's  flat.  Men- 
tion has  already  been  made  of  the  great  number  that  are  destroyed 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         613 

by  being  run  over  by  trains  on  the  railroad  and  by  wagons  on 
the  pubHc  highway.  Many  are  destroyed  and  many  more  intolei-- 
ably  annoyed  by  thoughtless  men  and  boys  who  shoot  them  oi- 
stone  them  whenever  they  see  them  basking  near  shore. 

The  claws  of  some  of  the  painted  turtles  caught  early  in  the 
spring  of  1901  (Apr.  4)  just  after  they  came  out  of  winter  quar- 
ters, seemed  to  be  remarkably  long  and  sharp.  Four  examples 
were  caught,  and  the  length  of  the  middle  claw  of  the  front  feet 
was  taken.  The  claw  of  the  first  was  j  inch  long,  that  of  the  sec- 
ond I  inch  long,  that  of  the  third  l  inch  and  that  of  the  fourth  f 
inch.  The  turtles  were  only  of  moderate  size,  the  carapace  being 
about  4^  to  5  inches  long. 

The  Painted  Turtle  is  easily  distinguished  from  all  other  species 
of  this  region  by  its  shiny  black,  blue-black  or  brownish-black 
color,  and  bright  red  on  the  neck.     It  may  be  described  as  follows : 

Shell  broad  and  depressed,  broadest  behind  the  middle;  shell 
flaring  posteriorly,  its  surface  very  smooth,  no  trace  of  keel  even 
in  the  young. 

Color  of  carapace  dark  green  or  greenish  black,  the  hinder 
border  of  the  costal  and  vertebral  scutes  narrowly  bordered  with 
black,  the  anterior  border  with  slightly  wider  bright  red  lines  lying 
immediately  against  the  black  margin ;  the  red  or  yellow  lines  not 
joining  to  form  straight  lines  across  the  back;  a  very  narrow  red 
line  along  middle  of  back;  upper  surfaces  of  marginal  plates  with 
many  crescent-shaped  bright  red  marks;  lower  surfaces  of  the 
marginals  black,  with  large  splotches  of  blood-red  and  bright  yel- 
low; plastron  bright  yellow  or  brownish  red,  with  a  large  dusky 
blotch  on  central  portion;  soft  skin  of  head,  legs  and  tail  dark 
olive,  with  red  stripes;  two  large  waxy  yellow  spots  on  back  of 
head,  nearly  as  large  as  eye,  these  prolonged  backward  as  two 
narrow  pale  yellow  stripes;  another  short  yellow  stripe  from  upper 
corner  of  eye  and  another  from  lower  side  of  eye  back  on  neck : 
two  red  stripes  on  front  of  each  fore  leg,  and  similar  ones  on 
posterior  surfaces  of  thighs ;  besides  these,  numerous  small  red 
spots  all  over  soft  parts.  Sometimes,  in  the  brownish-black  indi- 
viduals, the  sutures  of  the  back  are  red.  The  red  markings  fade 
to  yellow  in  alcohol. 

The  Painted  Turtle  varies  somewhat  in  color,  the  ground-color 
in  most  of  the  examples  being  a  brownish-black.  In  some  cases 
there  is  a  considerable  mixture  of  green  in  the  ground-color,  giving 
the  whole  shell  a  somewhat  livelier  hue.  In  some  examples  seen 
the  lines  between  the  scutes  of  the  carapace  were  rod.  and  there 
were  other  markings  of  red  on  the  back — sometimes  a  red  dorsal 


614         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

median  line  and  a  small  red  spot  in  the  middle  of  each  of  some  of 
the  scutes.  These  color-markings  were  observable  at  some  dis- 
tance while  the  turtles  were  in  the  water  and  made  the  turtles  pos- 
sessing them  objects  of  peculiar  beauty.  As  the  epidermal  scutes 
of  these  turtles  grow  oM  they  occasionally  become  covered  with 
various  growths.  An  alga  which  appears  to  belong  to  the  genus 
Chaetomorpha  grows  on  the  dorsal  scutes,  and,  less  frequently,  a 
branched  stalked  protozoan,  Opercularia,  grows  on  the  ventral 
scutes.  Sometime  during  the  year,  usually  in  the  late  summer,  the 
turtles  shed  these  epidermal  scutes,  and  can  frequently  be  seen 
with  some  clean  new  scutes  and  old  overgrown  ones.  At  the  end 
of  the  shedding  period  they  come  forth  bright  and  new,  their 
colors  apparently  much  clearer.  In  the  autumn  of  1906  one  of 
these  turtles  was  caught  with  the  alga  on  it  in  fruit,  the  base  of  the 
alga  being  green,  while  the  fruiting  tips  had  a  reddish  cast. 

There  is  considerable  variation  in  the  epidermal  scutes  of  this 
turtle,  one  frequently  being  added  irregularly.  An  example  caught 
in  1906  had  2  additional  triangular  scutes,  symmetrically  placed 
at  the  anterior  corners  of  the  anterior  dorsal  scute.  In  some  cases 
the  anterior  marginal  scute,  and  those  on  each  side  of  it  are  orna- 
mented with  peculiar  serrations. 

Excepting  the  musk  and  spotted  turtles  this  is  the  smallest  spec- 
ies found  in  this  region.  Its  maximum  length  is  about  6  inches 
and  the  maximum  weiglit  three-quarters  of  a  pound.  The  follow- 
ing table  gives  the  weights  and  measurements  of  a  number  ex- 
amined : 


MEASUREMENTS  OF  PAINTED  TURTLES 


No 

Weight 

C.VR.\P.\CE 

Pl.\stron 

Length  in  inches 

Width  in  inches 

Length  in  inches 

Width  in  inches 

1 

4.87 

4.37 

4.25 

4.5 

4.67 

5.37 

5.63 

3.13 

4.87 

3.5 

3.13 

3.13 

3.25 

3.25 

2.93 

3.87 

2.57 

3.87 

4.37 
4.00 
3.87 
4.00 
4.19 
4.87 
5.13 
2.79 
4.00 

3 

2.5 

2,5 

2.5 

2.13 

3.31 

3.25 

2.06 

2.00 

2 

3 

4 

5 
6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

6.75  oz. 
12.00  oz. 
12  81  oz. 

2.65  o2. 

6.25  oz. 
11.00  oz. 
10.75  oz. 

11 

5.94 

5.19 

4.87 

2.37 

Average 

8.82  oz. 

4.76 

3.47 

4.21 

2.56 

Several  young  seen  May  22  were  each  about  the  size  of  a  silver 
quarter. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         615 
7.     SPECKLED  TURTLE 

CLEMMYS  GUTTATA    (Schneider) 

The  Speckled  Turtle  is  found  from  New  England  to  North 
Carolina  and  west  to  Indiana.  In  this  State  it  has  been  found  only 
in  the  northern  part.  It  has  been  recorded  only  from  Kendallville, 
Rochester,  English  Lake  and  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  It  is  not  a  very 
common  turtle  at  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  Two  specimens  were  ob- 
tained at  the  lake  in  May,  1891,  by  members  of  the  Indiana 
Academy  of  Science. 

The  first  example  seen  by  us  was  got  at  the  south  end  of  the 
lake  October  1,  1900.  It  was  next  seen  April  1,  1901,  when  two 
were  found  on  a  tussock  in  Green's  flat.  The  following  is  the 
record  of  all  the  remaining  individuals  seen  by  us:  April  3,  1901, 
one  found  dead  on  Green's  flat  and  another  found  dead  in  the 
elevator  pond ;  April  4,  four  caught  and  several  others  seen  basking 
in  Green's  flat;  April  9,  several  seen  in  a  ditch  in  Green's  flat 
and  one  in  a  tamarack  swamp  west  of  lake ;  April  15,  one  caught 
in  Green's  flat;  April  24,  several  seen  in  Hawk's  marsh  chasing- 
each  other  in  a  lively  manner;  thej^  were  evidently  mating;  three 
pairs  and  one  odd  one  were  caught;  April  25,  caught  one  male  in 
Green's  flat;  April  26,  several  seen  in  Green's  flat;  April  30,  one 
seen  in  Green's  flat;  May  14,  one  found  dead  on  the  west  edge  of 
Long  Point;  May  22,  several  seen  in  a  ditch  near  the  tamarack 
swamp,  four  of  which  were  collected. 

The  only  one  seen  in  the  fall  was  found  in  Hawk's  marsh  Sep- 
tember 3,  1906.  One  was  obtained  in  a  ditch  near  Fort  Wayne, 
September  28. 

This  interesting  and  beautiful  little  turtle  is  by  preference  an 
inhabitant  of  the  small  ponds,  marshes  and  open  ditches,  and  is  less 
aquatic  than  any  of  the  preceding  species.  We  never  saw  it  in 
Lake  Maxinkuckee  proper.  The  one  found  at  the  south  end  of  the 
lake  was  south  of  the  Farrar  cottage  at  a  small  pond.  As  may 
be  seen  from  the  above,  its  favorite  haunts  are  Green's  flat.  Hawk's 
marsh  and  the  vicinity  of  the  tamarack  swamp.  None  was  seen 
on  the  east  side  of  the  lake,  but  careful  search  in  April  and  ^lay 
would  doubtless  reveal  its  presence  along  Aubeenaubee  Creek  and 
Norris  Inlet,  and  possibly  at  Culver  Inlet.  Late  in  May,  when 
the  ponds  have  become  pretty  dry,  these  turtles  disappeared. 

They  began  mating  about  the  middle  of  April.  Several  were 
seen  paired  April  19  to  24.  When  mating,  they  are  more  active 
than  we  have  observed  any  other  species  to  be.  The  males  chase 
the  females  rapidly  and  persistently  until  the  female  is  captured. 


616         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Then  the  male  would  immediately  climb  upon  the  female's  back. 
Several  pairs  that  were  placed  in  a  tub  were  continually  assuming 
this  position,  although  actual  copulation  was  not  observed. 

We  have  never  found  the  eggs  of  this  species  and  know  very 
little  about  its  nesting  season  or  habits.  Its  eggs  are  said  to  be 
only  three  or  four  in  number,  about  1.25  by  .75  inch  in  size,  and 
to  be  laid  in  June. 

This  turtle  is  apparently  silent,  as  we  have  never  heard  any 
note  which  we  could  positively  associate  with  it. 

A  good  many  dead  ones  are  found  in  the  spring;  the  winter  is 
probably  a  critical  period  with  them. 

These  turtles  are  entirely  harmless  and  should  be  protected. 
Their  food  consists  chiefly  of  crawfish,  tadpoles,  angleworms,  and 
other  weak  animals  found  about  the  water  and  in  the  marshes. 

The  Speckled  Turtle  may  be  readily  distinguished  from  all 
others  by  the  following  description : 

Shell  moderately  to  strongly  depressed,  oval,  widest  behind, 
no  trace  of  keel  in  adult  and  scarcely  evident  in  the  young ;  nuchal 
scutes  very  narrow;  plastron  large,  the  hinder  lobe  about  three- 
fourths  width  of  carapace,  with  a  shallow  notch  in  posterior 
border ;  anterior  lobe  truncated,  not  movable  on  a  transverse  hinge ; 
plastron  of  male  concave;  snout  not  at  all  projecting;  upper  jaw 
notched,  the  edge  nearly  straight ;  legs  and  feet  covered  with  scales, 
those  on  front  limbs  large  and  overlapping;  feet  not  large,  claws 
rather  short,  the  web  not  extensive;  tail  long,  that  of  the  male 
bringing  the  vent  beyond  the  carapace. 

General  color  of  carapace  black,  patches  of  reddish  brown  show- 
ing through  the  darker ;  on  each  scute  from  one  to  12  round  bright 
orange  spots,  each  larger  than  the  pupil ;  plastron  red,  orange  and 
black,  the  black  predominating,  the  orange  usually  occupying  the 
center  and  the  margin ;  head  black  above,  with  orange  dots ;  usually 
a  large  orange  spot  just  above  the  ear;  neck  black,  with  more  or 
less  red ;  shoulders  with  much  red  or  orange ;  upper  surface  of 
limbs  black,  with  yellow  and  red,  lower  surfaces  red  and  orange ; 
tail  black,  red  at  base.     Length  of  carapace  4  to  5  inches. 

Weights  and  measurements  of  14  examples  are  given  in  the  fol- 
lowing table: 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         617 


C.\R.\P.\CE 

Plastron 

Weight 

No. 

in 

Length 

Width 

Length 

Width 

Sex 

ounces 

in 

in 

in 

m 

inches 

inches 

inches 

inches 

1 

3.87 

3.56 

2.69 

3.00 

1.87 

2 

4.13 

3.50 

2.13 

3.19 

1.94 

3 

3.87 

3.75 

2.50 

3.00 

1.75 

4 

4.13 

3.81 

2.69 

3.13 

1.94 

5 

3.75 

3.50 

2.69 

2.94 

1.87 

6 

4.50 

3.56 

2.75 

3.25 

1.94 

7 

3.50 

3.44 

2.56 

3.00 

1.81 

8 

4.37 

3.63 

2.75 

3.37 

1.94 

9 

4.00 
3.75 

3.00 

2.87 

3.50 
3.25 

2.63 
2.50 

male 

10 

male 

11 

•  4.00 
3.87 

3.00 
2.87 

3.63 
3.25 

2.50 
2.37 

female 

12 

13 

4.30 

3  63 

2.75 

3.31 

2.25 

U* 

3.39 

3.56 

2.68 

3.00 

2.19 

male 

Average 

3.68 

2.71 

3.2 

2.1 

*In  the  last  specimen  the  carapace  haJ  strong  concentric  strise  and  the^lastron  parallel  radiating  striae  • 
The  tail  was  much  larger  than  in  the  next  preceding  specimen. 

8.     BLANDING  TURTLE 

EMYS  BLANDINGII    (Holbrook) 

This  species  occurs  from  New  England  westward  to  Illinois. 
It  is  found  in  southern  Canada,  but  is  not  known  from  the  south- 
ern states. 

It  is  nowhere  abundant;  indeed,  in  most  parts  of  its  range,  it 
must  be  regarded  as  a  rare  species.  In  Indiana  it  is  known  only 
from  the  lakes  in  the  northern  part  of  the  State.  It  has  been 
recorded  from  Lagrange  and  Steuben  counties  (Levette),  Lake 
Maxinkuckee  (Hay),  Rochester  (Gould)  and  English  Lake.  Only 
one  specimen  has  previously  been  recorded  from  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee; this  was  obtained  by  Dr.  0.  P.  Hay  in  May,  1891. 

It  is  apparently  as  common  about  Lake  Maxinkuckee  as  any- 
where in  the  State.  Our  notes  record  more  than  eleven  ex- 
amples as  having  been  collected  or  observed  by  us  in  the  neighbor- 
hood.    The  definite  datts  are  as  follows: 

March  29,  1901,  one  caught  on  west  side  of  lake  near  the  small 
pond  at  the  elevator;  April  4,  one  taken  in  Green's  flat;  April  9, 
one  taken  in  a  ditch  east  of  Tamarack  swamp ;  May  17,  one  caught 
climbing  the  bank  in  front  of  Assembly  grounds,  and  another  near 
same  place  next  day ;  May  20,  a  large  one  found  in  Hawk's  marsh ; 
May  22,  two  taken  near  Tamarack  swamp ;  July  29,  1906,  a  large 
one  caught  in  a  kettle  hole  swamp  in  Walley's  woods;  September 
11,  one  seen  in  a  ditch  between  Arlington  and  Belong;  September 


618         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

14,  a  large  example  in  Hawk's  marsh ;  November  4,  several  large 
examples,  some  about  9  or  10  inches  long,  found  dead  on  Yellow 
River  west  of  Knox.     They  had  been  killed  by  pearl  hunters. 

Those  taken  May  17  and  18  were  walking  about  on  dry  land  as 
if  hunting  for  a  nesting  site.  We  have  never  seen  this  species 
in  the  lake ;  it  is,  rather,  an  inhabitant  of  small  shallow  ponds, 
marshes  and  muddy  ditches. 

Very  little  was  learned  regarding  the  habits  of  this  turtle.  As 
only  one  of  our  specimens  was  found  in  the  water,  all  the  others 
being  out  on  the  land,  it  appears  that  it  is  somewhat  less  aquatic 
than  the  Speckled  Turtle.  On  May  17  and  18  those  observed  walk- 
ing about  on  the  land  had  apparently  come  up  out  of  the  lake.  They 
acted  as  if  hunting  nesting  sites,  though  we  found  none. 

The  species  is  described  as  follows: 

Shell  elongate  oval,  widest  just  behind  the  middle,  without  keel ; 
carapace  not  serrated  behind;  plastron  large,  entirely  closing  the 
shell ;  head  long  and  wide ;  limbs  and  feet  scaly ;  tail  scaly,  that  of 
male  about  one-fifth  length  of  shell,  that  of  female  shorter.  Color 
dark  green  to  black,  each  scute  with  several  round,  triangular  or 
oblong  spots  of  yellow  or  orange,  the  marginal  ones  largest,  all 
sometimes  wanting;  plastron  yellow,  with  the  outer  posterior  por- 
tion with  a  brown  blotch  which  sometimes  covers  the  whole  scute ; 
head  and  neck  above  and  along  sides  dusky,  with  numerous  yellow 
dots;  chin,  throat  and  under  side  of  neck  yellow;  legs  yellow,  with 
brown  mottlings ;  tail  striped  longitudinally  with  yellow  and  brown. 
Length  9  inches  or  less. 

Dr.  Hay  states  that  the  young  of  this  species  can  be  distin- 
guished by  the  absence  of  yellow  or  orange  spots  on  the  shell,  in 
marked  contrast  with  the  young  of  the  speckled  turtle  on  which 
the  spots  appear  even  before  the  young  are  hatched. 

9.     BOX  TURTLE 

TERRAPENE  CAROLINA    (Linn^us) 

The  Box  Turtle  is  found  from  New  England  to  Texas  and  west- 
ward to  Iowa  and  Kansas.  Although  occurring  throughout  In- 
diana, it  is  rare  about  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  The  only  record  given 
by  Dr.  Hay  for  northern  Indiana  is  Marshall  County.  During  our 
observations  there  we  saw  only  three  specimens,  as  follows: 

April  13,  1901,  a  dead  shell  found  near  a  small  pond  back  of 
the  Farrar  cottage  at  the  south  end  of  the  lake. 

May  22,  1901,  one  caught  in  a  ditch  near  the  Tamarack  swamp 
west  of  the  lake. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         619 


July  10,  1902,  one  found  in  Walley's  woods  near  the  railroad 
south  of  the  lake. 

We  have  heard  of  perhaps  half  a  dozen  others  taken  or  seen 
within  a  few  miles  of  the  lake. 

The  second  and  third  examples  listed  above  give  the  following 
measurements : 


Carapace 

Plastron 

Circumference 

in 

inches 

No. 

Length 

in 
inches 

Width 

in 
inches 

Length 

in 
inches 

Width 

in 
inches 

2 
3 

5 
6.  7a 

3.87 
7.25 

4.75 
5.5 

3 
3.5 

15.5 

This  species  is  entirely  terrestial  in  its  habits  and  is  the  only 
strictly  land  tortoise  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee. 
It  is  never  seen  in  the  water  and  only  rarely  in  or  about  marshy 
situations.  It  most  delights  in  dry,  sandy  open  woodlands  where 
there  is  some  underbrush  and  where  the  ground  has  a  thick  cover- 
ing of  dry  decaying  leaves.  Favorite  places  are  old  overgrown 
fencerows  along  the  borders  of  woodland,  in  blackberry  and  rasp- 
berry patches  and  in  beech  and  oak  forests  where  there  are  old 
decaying  logs  and  chunks. 

The  Box  Turtle  is  a  silent,  solitary,  and  solemn  creature;  one 
rarely  sees  more  than  one  at  a  time.  During  the  mating  season, 
however,  two  are  sometimes  found  together.  Very  rarely  is  one 
seen  moving  about,  and  a  person  is  not  apt  to  find  any  of  these 
turtles  unless  he  direct  his  observations  to  the  ground.  And  when 
one  is  found  it  will  be  seen  resting  perfectly  still,  with  its  head 
projecting  from  the  shell  and  staring  at  you  stupidly.  When  you 
pick  it  up  it  will  draw  in  its  head  and  feet  and  close  its  shell  tightly. 
Occasionally  it  will  make  a  slight  hissing  noise,  the  only  noise  we 
have  ever  heard  it  make.  It  is  a  wholly  harmless,  inoffensive  crea- 
ture. It  is  easily  domesticated  and,  as  a  garden  pet,  possesses 
many  interesting  and  attractive  characteristics,  albeit  not  very 
exciting. 

Their  mating  season  in  this  region  is  in  late  April  and  May, 
and  the  eggs  are  laid  in  shallow  burrows  in  sandy  soil.  We  know 
nothing  about  the  number  of  eggs  laid  nor  the  period  of  incubation. 

The  food  of  this  species  consists  chiefly  of  grub^,  angleworms 
and  succulent  plants  and  fruits.  When  kept  as  pets  they  will  eat 
cabbage,  lettuce,  musk  melon,  tomatoes,  mushrooms,  angleworms 
and  meat.     They  soon  learn  to  take  food  from  one's  hand. 


620         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

Shell  broadly  oval,  sometimes  four-fifths  as  broad  as  long,  high, 
very  convex,  and  extremely  solid ;  plastron  large,  tightly  closing 
the  opening  of  the  carapace,  consisting  of  two  lobes  movable  on 
each  other  and  the  carapace,  the  bridge  entirely  obliterated ;  plas- 
tron rounded  in  front  and  behind ;  head  of  moderate  size,  the  snout 
not  projecting;  upper  jaw  with  the  cutting  edge  drawn  down  in 
front  into  a  hooked  beak,  the  hook  not  notched,  the  alveolar  surface 
narrow;  lower  jav/  turned  upward  at  the  tip;  legs  and  feet  scaly; 
claws  stout,  the  web  between  the  toes  narrow;  tail  short. 

Color  of  carapace  yellow,  brown  and  black,  sometimes  the 
darker  color  predominating,  sometimes  the  yellow,  ground  color 
usually  brown  or  reddish  brown,  the  yellow  appearing  as  spots  of 
various  shapes,  often  radiating  from  the  point  of  growth  of  the 
scute;  the  ground  color  may  appear  to  be  yellow  relieved  with 
black  spots ;  plastron  variously  ornamented  with  black  and  yellow. 
Young  with  a  single  yellow  spot  on  each  scute  of  the  carapace. 
Length  of  carapace  4  to  6  inches  in  full  grown  examples. 


THE  AMPHIBIANS 

Eighteen  species  of  amphibians  are  now  known  from  the  vicin- 
ity of  Lake  Maxinkuckee.  These  include  one  waterdog,  seven 
salamanders,  one  toad,  two  tree-toads,  and  seven  frogs. 

All  of  these  are  of  some  importance  in  their  relations  to  the 
life  of  the  lake,  and  several  of  them,  such  as  the  water-dog  and  the 
various  species  of  frogs,  of  very  considerable  importance.  Of  all 
the  animals  inhabiting  the  lake  perhaps  the  worst  enemy  of  the 
fishes  is  the  water-dog.  And  of  the  vertebrate  animals  about  the 
lake,  exclusive  of  the  fishes  themselves,  frogs  doubtless  enter  most 
largely  into  the  menu  of  the  large-mouth  black  bass.  All  of  the 
species  are  more  or  less  aquatic,  all  being  found  in  or  about  the 
water. 

LIST  OF  SPECIES 

1.     WATERDOG 

NECTURUS  MACULOSUS  (Rafinesque) 

The  Waterdog  or  Mudpuppy  is  one  of  the  most  common,  and 
certainly  the  most  interesting,  of  the  several  species  of  amphibians 
occurring  in  or  about  Lake  Maxinkuckee. 

It  is  strictly  aquatic  in  its  habits  and  is  found  only  in  the  water. 
It  is  found  in  both  Lake  Maxinkuckee  and  in  Lost  Lake  and  ap- 
parently approximately  abundant  in  each.     That  it  was  seen  more 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         621 

frequently  in  the  former  is  probably  due  to  the  fact  that  our  ob- 
servations were  more  often  directed  to  that  lake. 

While  pretty  generally  distributed  throughout  the  lake,  it  is 
naturally  most  often  met  with  in  relatively  shallow  water  near 
shore.  It  appears  to  prefer  those  locations  where  the  bottom  is 
of  muck,  marl  or  other  soft  material  covered  with  a  growth  of 
short  Chara.  In  such  situations  it  makes  considerable  burrows 
in  the  bed  of  the  lake  or  sometimes  merely  under  the  Chara  or 
other  covering.  Here  it  rests  when  not  moving  about  in  search  of 
food  or  for  other  reasons.  The  burrow  usually  has  two  openings, 
a  few  inches  apart,  one  evidently  for  entrance  the  other  for  exit; 
and  the  animal,  when  in  the  burrow,  is  often  seen  with  its  head 
projecting  from  one  of  the  openings  as  if  watching  for  small  fishes 
or  other  food  that  may  approach.  Thrusting  an  oar  or  pole  into 
the  burrow  would  frequently  reveal  the  presence  of  the  animal. 
They  seem  to  occupy  these  burrows  singly,  as  in  no  instance  were 
two  individuals  found  in  the  same  hole.  Whether  they  are  more 
prone  to  remain  in  their  burrows  during  the  day-time  or  night  our 
observations  did  not  clearly  disclose.  Certain  evidences,  however, 
which  will  be  presented  later  in  this  account,  indicate  that  this 
curious  batrachian  is  lai-gely  nocturnal  in  habit,  and  the  burrows, 
if  they  could  be  examined  with  equal  facility  at  night,  would  prob- 
ably be  found  more  frequently  empty. 

While  nearly  all  examples  seen  in  the  lake  were  in  water  one  to 
ten  feet  deep,  they  doubtless  on  occasion  go  out  to  greater  depths, 
evidenced  by  the  frequency  with  which  they  are  taken  on  hooks 
of  set-lines  placed  at  a  depth  of  10  to  35  feet.  They  are  doubtless 
most  abundant  in  water  less  than  15  feet  deep,  but  extend  out  to 
more  than  twice  that  depth  in  some  numbers.  It  is  probable  that 
their  bathymetric  distribution  is  practically  coincident  with  that 
of  the  plant  covering  of  the  lake  bottom. 

That  the  species  is  largely  nocturnal  is  indicated  by  a  number 
of  habits  which  were  observed.  Frequently  individuals  were  seen, 
or  were  caught  with  seines,  at  night  when  they  had  come  near 
shore  in  shallow  water  evidently  for  the  purpose  of  feeding  on  the 
small  fishes  which  also  come  into  shallow  water  at  night  to  feed. 
Although  large  schools  of  the  same  species  of  fish  were  often 
seen  in  the  same  places  in  the  daytime  water-dogs  were  rarely 
noted  and  then  usually  in  the  winter  and  under  the  ice.  Set-lines 
were  much  more  apt  to  have  water-dogs  on  the  hooks  when  exam- 
ined in  the  morning  than  when  inspected  in  the  evening. 

That  the  species  is,  however,  not  wholly  nocturnal  is  shown  by 
the  fact  that  individuals  are  often  seen  in  daytime  moving  about 


622         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

on  the  bottom,  especially  in  winter  under  the  ice,  and  the  further 
fact  that  they  are  sometimes  taken  in  the  daytime  by  anglers  or 
on  set-lines. 

They  also  appear  to  be  active  throughout  the  year;  there  is  no 
evidence  that  they  hibernate.  We  have  observed  them  moving 
about  and  have  caught  them  at  all  seasons,  practically  in  every 
month  in  the  year. 

Actually,  we  saw  them  most  frequently  in  winter,  probably 
not  because  they  were  more  abundant  then  or  moving  about  more 
constantly,  but  because  they  were  less  active  in  their  movements 
and  therefore  more  easily  observed,  and  especially  because  the 
presence  of  a  sufficiently  strong  sheet  of  transparent  ice  on  the 
lake  gives  an  ideal  condition  for  observation  and  study  of  the  lake 
bed  even  in  considerable  depths. 

As  already  stated,  the  water-dogs  make  shallow  burrows  in  the 
soft  bottom  or  under  the  Chara  mat,  in  wiiich  they  make  their 
homes.  They  are  also  found  under  water-logged  chunks  or  boards 
where  they  may  be  sometimes  seen  with  their  heads  slightly  ex- 
posed. Then  again  they  may  be  observed  now  and  then  among 
the  roots  of  the  pond-lilies  or  the  denser  patches  of  Potamogeton, 
Myriophyllum  and  similar  aquatics. 

In  late  autumn  and  early  winter,  when  the  water  has  cooled, 
and  the  straw-colored  minnows,  grayback  minnows  and  skipjacks 
crowd  to  the  shore,  water-dogs  may  be  sometimes  seen  coming  in 
among  them,  evidently  for  the  purpose  of  preying  upon  the  fishes. 
Later,  during  the  winter,  on  bright  sunny  days,  these  animals  were 
frequently  seen  in  some  numbers  crowded  close  to  shore  and  lying 
motionless  under  the  clear  ice.  Several  were  caught  by  cutting- 
holes  through  the  ice  above  them.  Occasionally  one  would  take 
alarm  while  the  ice  was  being  chopped  away,  and  swim  off,  rather 
slowly  at  first  and  then  quite  rapidly,  with  lateral  flexions  of  the 
tail.  Though  not  so  rapid  in  their  movements  in  winter  as  in  sum- 
mer, they  can  swim  quite  swiftly  when  occasion  arises.  When  not 
frightened,  if  moving  at  all,  they  walk  along  the  bottom  with  great 
deliberation,  moving  their  heads  from  side  to  side  as  if  smelling 
their  way  along.  In  walking,  diagonal  limbs  are  moved  in  unison, 
that  is,  the  right  front  with  the  left  hind  leg  and  the  other  two 
the  same  way,  with  a  good  deal  of  circular  or  }-otary  motion  at  the 
hips  and  shoulders  like  one  turning  a  crank.  When  one  is  caught 
in  the  hand  or  when  a  feint  is  made  to  take  hold  of  one,  it  will 
make  quick,  vicious  snaps  at  the  hand.  The  jaws  are  strong 
enough  to  make  the  bite  painful.  This  quick  snappy  motion  offers 
a  suggestion  as  to  the  manner  in  which  the  animal  catches  fishes. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         623 

The  Water-dog  seems  to  feed  chiefly  on  small  fishes  and  craw- 
fishes. The  stomachs  of  several  examined  December  10,  1900,  and 
later  the  same  winter,  were  literally  packed  with  fishes.  At  various 
times  in  December  one  or  more  were  seen  among  schools  of  skip- 
jacks near  shore,  apparently  feeding  on  them.  Examples  exam- 
ined December  18  contained,  in  one  instance,  two  small  fishes  each 
about  3  inches  long,  another  the  bones  of  the  hind  legs  of  a  frog, 
and  still  another  a  fish  hook  baited  with  a  piece  of  liver, — evidently 
from  some  fisherman's  line.  Of  several  stomachs  examined  De- 
cember 28,  some  were  filled  with  full  grown  skipjacks,  while  others 
contained  several  small  fishes  each.  Four  examined  February  27 
contained  several  minnows  evidently  taken  from  fishermens'  hooks. 
On  March  2  several  others  examined  contained  a  number  of  bait 
minnows  and  one  a  large  crawfish.  Three  examined  March  8  con- 
tained 6  shiners,  3  crawfish,  2  Aselli,  2  leeches,  and  several  long 
flat  worms;  and  a  fourth  contained  3  crawflsh  and  3  snails  (prob- 
ably Physa,  One  examined  March  18  contained  one  small  min- 
now and  a  large  worm.  The  stomachs  of  four  examined  April  27 
were  all  empty,  as  was  another  (a  male)  inspected  May  9.  On 
November  16,  1904,  one  was  found  with  stomach  empty  and 
another  with  one  long  red  leech.  One  examined  January  1,  1905, 
contained  2  straw-colored  minnows,  3  crawfish,  2  large  insect 
larvse,  and  1  large  brown  flat  leech. 

The  species  of  fishes  which  we  have  found  in  the  water-dog 
stomachs  are  the  skipjack  (Labidesthes  sicculus) ,  the  straw-col- 
ored minnow  (Notropis  hlennius) ,  the  grayback  {Fundulus  dia- 
'phaniis) ,  and  two  or  three  species  of  bait  minnows  not  indigenous 
to  the  lake  and  evidently  stolen  from  fishermen's  hooks.  One 
fisherman  reported  that  he  had  seen  a  water-dog  trying  to  catch 
a  sunfish,  but  we  were  not  able  to  verify  this  observation.  We 
have  frequently  observed  these  animals  in  shallow  water  near  shore 
among  schools  of  the  small  fishes  named  above  and  evidently  in- 
tent on  preying  upon  them;  never,  however,  did  we  see  one  cap- 
ture a  fish.  As  already  stated,  they  were  most  disposed  to  feed 
near  shore  at  night  during  the  summer;  but  in  winter  when  ice 
covered  the  lake  they  seemed  habitually  to  come  into  shallow  water 
under  the  ice  in  the  daytime,  particularly  on  bright  sunny  days. 
Sometimes  they  seem  to  congregate  in  considerable  numbers  under 
the  ice.  In  the  winter  of  1899-1900  some  boys  found  several 
bunched  under  the  ice  in  a  little  cove  of  Lost  Lake  just  north  of 
the  Bardsley  cottage,  and  succeeded  in  killing  15  by  hitting  on  the 
ice  above  them  with  a  stout  club. 

Crawfish  also  form  an  important  and  considerable  element  in 

40—17618 


624         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

the  menu  of  the  water-dog,  while  the  smaller,  softer-shelled  mol- 
lusks,  insect  and  other  larvse,  and  perhaps  other  small  aquatic  ani- 
mals, are  utilized  to  some  extent. 

According  to  Mr.  J.  J.  Stranahan,  for  many  years  Superintend- 
ent of  the  Fish  Cultural  Station  at  Put-in-Bay,  the  water-dog  is 
very  destructive  to  the  eggs  of  the  whitefish.  He  states  that  in  Jan- 
uarJ^  1897,  many  of  these  animals  were  pumped  up  with  the  water 
supply  of  the  Put-in-Bay  station  and  that  the  stomachs  of  a  con- 
siderable number  of  them  contained  whitefish  and  cisco  eggs,  the 
contents  of  one  stomach  consisting  of  288  whitefish  eggs  and  four 
cisco  eggs.  From  June  to  August,  1894,  while  Dr.  H.  F.  Moore 
of  the  Bureau  of  Fisheries  was  engaged  on  investigations  in  Lake 
Erie  he  examined  the  stomach  contents  of  a  number  of  water- 
dogs  at  Sandusky  and  elsewhere  and  found  fish  eggs  present  in 
many  cases. 

While  writing  this  account  (August,  1907),  a  specimen  of 
water-dog  was  received  by  the  Bureau  from  a  lake  near  L-win, 
Colorado.  Its  stomach  contained  six  or  eight  examples  of  Gan.- 
marus  (a  small  crustacean)  and  several  small  bits  of  rotten  wood, 
the  latter  taken  incidentally  along  with  other  food. 

Carman*  states  that  the  water-dog  subsists  on  crustaceans,  in- 
sects and  mollusks. 

It  is  undoubtedly  a  bottom  feeder,  and  its  habit  of  walking  or 
crawling  about  over  the  bottom  makes  the  finding  of  fish  nests  and 
the  destruction  of  the  eggs  a  particularly  easy  matter.  The  evi- 
dence, therefor,  would  seem  to  be  conclusive  that  the  water-dog 
is  wholly  carnivorous  in  its  habits ;  that  its  food  consists  chiefly  of 
small  fish,  and  in  season,  of  fish  eggs,  along  with  a  smaller  propor- 
tion of  crustaceans,  mollusks,  insect  larvse,  etc. 

Water-dogs  may  be  caught  quite  readily  in  any  season  on  hooks 
baited  with  minnows,  crawfish,  liver,  bits  of  meat,  or  almost  any 
animal  matter.  Setlines  placed  by  us  for  experimental  purposes 
at  various  depths  and  places  in  the  lake  usually  yielded  at  least 
one  water-dog  every  time  examined.  When  the  hooks  were  set  at 
a  greater  depth  than  35  or  40  feet,  however,  they  rarely  caught 
any.  On  hooks  set  in  Lost  Lake  for  catfish  and  dogfish,  water-dogs 
were  often  taken. 

Anglers  often  catch  them  while  still-fishing  in  the  spring,  sum- 
mer and  fall,  but  it  is  during  ice-fishing  in  the  winter  that  they  are 
most  troublesome  and  most  frequently  taken.     All  fishing  through 

*A  Synopsis  of  Reptiles  and  Amphibians  of  Illinois.     B\ill.  Ill,  State  Lab.  Nat.  Hist.,  \'ol.  Ill,  Art. 
XIII,  p.  383,  1891. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         625 

the  ice  is  iiecessarilj^  still-fishing  and  the  fishermen  are  much  an- 
noyed by  the  water-dogs  stealing  the  bait  from  their  hooks  as  well 
as  being  caught  thereon.  Their  abundance  in  the  vicinity  of  ice- 
fishing  is  doubtless  increased  to  some  extent  by  the  practice  of  the 
fishermen  of  throwing  dead  minnows  from  their  minnow  buckets 
through  the  ice  holes  into  the  lake.  While  this  attracts  predaceous 
fish  it  serves  also  to  atti'act  the  troublesome  Necturus. 

Although  the  water-dog  is  entirely  harmless,  fishermen  scarcely 
without  exception  firmly  believe  it  to  be  poisonous  and  are  in 
mortal  fear  of  its  bite.  So  strong  is  this  fear  that  when  a  fisher- 
man finds  a  water-dog  on  his  hook  he  never  tries  to  dislodge  the 
hook  while  the  animal  is  alive  but  either  cuts  the  line  and  lets  it 
escape  or  mashes  its  head  and  then  removes  it  from  the  hook  with 
many  misgivings  as  to  whether  it  is  safe  to  remove  even  a  dead 
water-dog  from  the  hook. 

When  caught  on  the  hook  this  animal  squirms  and  thrashes 
about  a  good  deal  at  first  but  soon  becomes  quiet  and  remains  so 
until  lifted  out  of  the  water  when  it  again  becomes  very  active,  its 
squirming  contortions,  slimy  touch  and  repulsive  appearance  all 
contributing  to  the  fisherman's  dread. 

The  hreeding  habits  of  the  water-dog  have  not  been  fully 
studied  by  us,  though  a  number  of  interesting  observations  were 
made.  Several  nests  were  found  and  the  eggs  and  young  seen  at 
different  times.  The  breeding  season  is  in  the  spring.  A  nest  was 
found  June  12,  1901.  It  was  under  a  submerged  board  in  shallow 
water  at  Long  Point.  The  eggs,  which  were  not  nuinerous,  were 
about  the  size  and  color  of  yellow  peas,  and  each  was  fastened  to 
the  board  above  by  a  small  gelatinous  cord.  One  of  the  parents 
remained  near  the  nest,  apparently  watching  it.  The  eggs,  how- 
ever, disappeared  one  by  one,  probably  taken  by  crawfishes.  Ap- 
parently none  of  these  eggs  remained  to  hatch  and  we  were  unable 
to  determine  the  period  of  incubation. 

In  our  observations  of  these  animals  we  were  struck  by  the  fre- 
quency with  which  they  were  found  dead  in  pairs.  We  are  unable 
to  say  what  significance,  if  any,  lies  in  the  observation  that  these 
animals  are  often  found  dead  in  pairs ;  it  is  probably  a  mere  coin- 
cidence. The  condition  of  the  examples  found  dead  was  such  as 
to  make  it  difficult  if  not  impossible  to  determine  the  sex  and  the 
cause  of  their  dying;  nor  could  their  stomach  contents  be  satis- 
factorily examined.  There  seems  to  be  a  brief  period  of  unusual 
mortality  among  them  early  in  the  spring  when  considerable  num- 
bers may  be  found  dead  along  the  shore ;  a  phenomenon  analogous 


626         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

to  that  observed  in  the  bhiegill.    During  the  summer  and  fall  occa- 
sionally dead  individuals  are  found. 

The  food  value  of  the  water-dog-  has  never  been  fully  tested. 
Some  years  ago  some  experiments  were  made  at  Put-in-Bay  by 
Mr.  J.  J.  Stranahan  which  indicated  that  this  batrachian  might, 
through  proper  treatment,  be  made  a  very  palatable  and  nutritious 
article  of  food.  Its  repulsive  appearance,  however,  will  to  some 
extent  militate  against  any  extensive  or  general  use  of  the  animal 
for  this  purpose. 

Summing  up,  then,  the  water-dog  does  not  appear  to  have  any- 
thing to  commend  it  or  in  favor  of  its  preservation ;  it  seems  to 
serve  no  useful  purpose  except  that  it  is  an  interesting  member 
of  the  local  fauna. 

It  is  an  animal  feeder  and  is  destructive  to  several  species  of 
fishes,  in  that  it  preys  not  only  on  the  adults  but  upon  their  eggs 
as  well. 

Following  are  dates  on  wiiich  water-dogs  were  observed  at  the 
lake:  April  6  and  7,  1885,  the  senior  author  was  at  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee, and  saw  a  large  number  of  dead  water-dogs  frozen  in  ice 
in  what  is  now  known  as  Green's  marsh  south  of  Outlet  Bay. 
There  was  more  water  in  that  place  then  than  we  have  ever  ob- 
served there  since.  The  water-dogs  had  apparently  come  out  into 
the  marsh  and,  the  temperature  suddenly  dropping,  were  caught 
in  the  freezing  ice;  or  possibly  they  had  died  from  another  cause 
and  their  bodies  had  been  carried  by  the  current  on  to  the  marsh. 

In  October,  1898,  Mr.  Chadwick  reported  them  as  abundant 
and  stated  that  they  are  often  caught  while  fishing  through  the 
ice  in  winter;  also  that  they  are  often  seen  in  shallow  water  on 
muck  bottom  in  winter. 

In  1899,  one  seen  September  10. 

In  1900,  one  found  under  a  board  in  shallow  water  on  Long 
Point  August  8 ;  one  found  dead  near  Maxinkuckee  pier  August 
11 ;  one  seen  dead  floating  near  Long  Point  August  15 ;  one  got  in 
Culver  Inlet  August  21 ;  one  found  dead  near  shore  near  Arlington 
Hotel  August  22,  and  another  at  Outlet  August  31 ;  one  seined  in 
Lost  Lake  September  1 ;  one  very  large  example  found  dead  in  lake 
near  Lakeview  Hotel  September  29 ;  two  found  dead  in  Culver  Bay 
October  11 ;  two  dead  on  south  shore  November  9,  and  two  more 
November  17,  also  two  on  east  side  November  22 ;  a  small  one 
dead  in  a  pool  near  Farrar's  December  3 ;  one  got  with  rake  and 
another  seen  at  Long  Point  among  a  school  of  skipjacks  December 
10 ;   one  seen  near  shore  on   Long  Point  among   skipjacks,   and 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         627 

another  seen  throug-h  the  ice  farther  out,  December  12 ;  December 
28  many  of  various  sizes  observed  under  the  ice,  crawled  up  as 
near  shore  as  possible.  In  1901,  one  killed  and  several  others  seen 
January  7 ;  several  seen  under  ice  January  9 ;  several  seen  near 
shore  January  10 ;  one  seen  in  its  burrow  in  front  of  station  Janu- 
ary 16,  18  and  19 ;  a  dead  one  seen  January  19 ;  one  seen  under  the 
ice  swimming  straig'ht  for  shore  and  later  three  others  seen  Janu- 
ary 21 ;  one  caught  by  a  fisherman  January  23 ;  one  speared  Febru- 
ary 7 ;  four  caught  February  27 ;  six  caught  on  hooks  of  set-line 
March  2,  and  about  six  others  seen  while  looking  down  a  hole  in  the 
ice  where  a  fisherman  was  bobbing ;  a  dead  one  found  March  7,  and 
three  others  March  8 ;  one  caught  on  a  hook  March  10 ;  two  found 
dead  March  13,  evidently  killed  by  fishermen ;  a  large  one  under  a 
board  lying  on  lake  bottom  and  another  caught  March  18;  one  seen 
in  Outlet,  apparently  going  down  toward  Lost  Lake  March  20 ;  one 
found  dead  April  1 ;  a  great  many  seen  in  Outlet  Bay  April  27 ; 
four  seen  April  27  and  five  dead  at  mouth  of  Aubeenaubee  Creek, 
April  30 ;  one  seen  under  stones  in  Outlet  April  29 ;  a  fisherman 
got  two  on  a  hook  May  1;  a  dead  one  seen  in  Outlet  May  4;  one 
caught  on  outline  May  7,  and  one  May  9,  the  latter  a  male;  three 
dead  ones  seen  in  Outlet  May  13 ;  five  dead  found  along  shore  in 
various  places  May  20 ;  also  on  May  23  and  31 ;  a  nest  found  June 
1 ;  several  dead  on  shore  June  4 ;  one  caught  on  hook  from  Chad- 
wick  pier  June  20. 

In  1904,  one  found  near  shore,  and  a  small  one  under  a  board, 
November  16 ;  one  seen  on  bottom  in  about  4  feet  of  water  off 
Long  Point,  December  15 ;  one  seen  under  ice  near  Inlet  December 
21;  two  seen  near  shore  in  south  part  of  lake  December  27. 

In  1905,  a  large  example  caught  from  under  ice  at  Long  Point, 
January  1 ;  one  seen  under  ice  near  shore  January  3. 

In  studying  the  feeding  habits  and  food  of  the  water-dog  many 
stomachs  were  examined.  Several  dissected  December  10,  1900, 
were  literally  packed  with  fishes.  Two  others  were  seen  on  the 
same  day  among  a  large  school  of  skipjacks  on  which  they  were 
evidently  feeding.  Three  were  examined  December  18;  one  con- 
tained two  small  fish  each  about  3  inches  long,  another  the  bones 
of  the  hind  legs  of  a  frog,  while  the  third  contained  a  fishhook 
baited  with  a  piece  of  liver — evidently  from  some  fisherman's  line. 
One  examined  December  20  contained  two  strawcolored  minnows, 
2  and  3  inches  long  respectively.  Seven  water-dogs  were  caught 
and  their  stomachs  examined  December  28.  The  data  obtained  are 
given  in  the  following  tabulated  statement : 


628         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


FOOD  OF  WATER-DOGS 


Length 

No. 

in 
inches 

Sex 

Stomach  Coitents 

1 

12 

F.  ? 

5  skipjacks  packed  tight. 

2 

12}^ 

F. 

7  large  skipjacks,  1  small  skipjack  partly  digested,  2  bluegills,  1 
and  2  inches  long,  respectively,  one  small  fish,  not  identifia- 
ble, one  worm  and  a  small  quantity  of  vegetation.  The  water- 
dog's  eggs  were  large. 

3 

9>^ 

M. 

2  dragonfly  larvae,  4  other  small  larvae,  one  fish  much  digested. 

4 

9H 

M.  ? 

1  large  skipjack,  one  small  bluegill,  one  crustacean  and  2  larvse. 

5 

10 

F.  ? 

Homogeneous  muddy  mi.xture,  some  bits  of  plants,  remains  of  3 
fishes  and  2  dragonfly  larvae. 

6 

m 

F.  ? 

3  small  fishes  (probably  bluegills),  2  other  fishes  much  digested, 
one  isopod  and  2  larvae. 

7 

Wi 

F- 

6  small  flat  fine-scaled  fishes,  probably  bluegills. 

On  November  2,  1904,  one  caught  under  an  old  board  in  Out- 
let Bay  contained  only  a  small  bit  of  weed.  One  was  caught  on 
same  date  in  a  minnow-trap  w^hich  it  had  doubtless  entered  for 
the  purpose  of  feeding-  on  the  minnows  confined  therein.  One 
caught  at  Chadwick's  pier  November  6  contained  2  crawfish. 
Another  taken  at  same  place  contained  one  crawfish  and  2  Physa 
shells.  Another  taken  under  a  board  south  of  Green's  pier  No- 
vember 12  had  the  remains  of  one  minnow.  One  examined  3  days 
later  was  entirely  empty.  In  1905,  one  examined  January  1  con- 
tained 2  strawcolored  minnows,  3  crawfish,  2  insect  larvge  and 
one  flat  leech. 

Two  examined  January  7  contained  several  small  fishes  each, 
and  four  dissected  February  27  contained  several  small  minnows 
evidently  taken  from  fishermen's  hooks.  On  March  2  several  ex- 
amined contained  a  number  of  bait  minnows  and  one  large  craw- 
fish. At  various  times  in  December  one  or  more  were  seen  among 
schools  of  skipjacks  near  shore,  on  which  they  were  feeding.  Three 
examined  March  8  contained  6  shiners,  3  crawfish,  2  Aselli,  2 
leeches  and  several  flat  worms.  Another  had  3  crawfishes  and  3 
snails,  probably  Physa. 


2.     SPOTTED  SALAMANDER 

AMBYSTOMA  MACULATUM    (Shaw) 

The  Spotted  Salamander  has  a  rather  wide  range,  extending 
from  Nova  Scotia  to  Nebraska  and  southward.  It  is  not  very  com- 
mon about  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  probably  the  soil  is  too  sandy.  One 
specimen  was  obtained  at  Culver  in  1906,  and  one  captured  under 
a  chunk  in  Farrar's  woods  on  October  5,  1907.  This  one  had  a 
row  of  yellow  spots  along  the  middle  of  the  back. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         629 

In  spite  of  its  rather  handsome  coloration,  the  Spotted  Sala- 
mander, with  its  blunt  stubby  head  and  slimy  body,  is  a  rather  un- 
attractive creature.  They  spend  the  day  hiding  under  logs,  chunks 
or  stones,  in  moist  cool  ground.  They  probably  seek  their  prey 
at  night.  Although  generally  viewed  with  distrust,  they  are  per- 
fectly harmless,  and  probably  do  good  by  devouring  noxious  insects. 

Costal  grooves  10  or  11,  usually  11 ;  sole  with  one  indistinct 
tubercle,  or  none ;  black  above  with  a  series  of  round  yellow  spots 
on  each  side  of  the  back;  body  broad,  depressed  and  swollen;  skin 
punctate  with  small  pores  from  which  exudes  a  milky  fluid ;  2  or 
3  clusters  of  enlarged  pores  on  head;  a  strong  dorsal  groove;  tail 
2i  in  length ;  length  6  inches. 

3.     TIGER  SALAMANDER 

AMBYSTOMA  TIGRINUM   (Green) 

The  Tiger  Salamander  does  not  appear  to  be  common  in  this 
region.  Our  collections  contain  only  two  specimens,  one  obtained 
in  1906,  and  one  in  Farrar's  woods  October  5,  1907. 

4.     COMMON  SALAMANDER 

AMBYSTOMA  JEFFERSONIANUM    (Green) 

The  Common  Salamander  is  frequent  from  Virginia  to  Indiana 
and  northward.  At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  does  not  appear  to  be 
common,  only  five  examples  having  been  taken.  These  were  ob- 
tained under  logs  in  damp  ground  on  the  east  side  of  the  lake  in 
the  autumn  of  1906  (August  3  and  October  14)  ;  all  had  small  pale 
blue  spots  along  the  lower  portion  of  the  sides.  None  has  been 
seen  spawning  here. 

In  some  parts  of  the  country,  one  of  the  first  signs  of  spring, 
soon  after  the  ice  has  disappeared  and  the  water  is  still  frigid,  and 
before  the  frogs  have  yet  begun  to  sing,  is  the  sight  of  a  number 
of  these  creatures  in  the  bottom  of  shallow  pools,  too  stiff  almost 
to  move,  preparing  to  lay  their  eggs.  The  eggs  are  small,  shot-like, 
black  objects,  surrounded  by  a  thick  sphere  of  clear  jelly,  a  num- 
ber cohering  to  form  an  irregular  mass.  As  the  water  warms  up, 
the  eggs  develop  rapidly,  first  lengthening  somewhat,  then  bending 
to  a  comma-like  form,  and  finally  the  little  fish-like  larva,  with 
gill-tufts  on  each  side  of  the  neck,  wiggles  through  the  jelly.  On 
April  23,  1901,  some  larval  salamanders  were  found  swimming  in 
Farrar's  pond,  which  may  have  belonged  to  this  species.  The 
creatures  develop  rapidly  into  the  mature  form  and  leave  the  pool ; 
in  a  few  weeks  none  can  be  found  there.     The  mature  form  spends 


630         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

its  days  under  chunks  and  logs  in  moist  places,  and  probably  spends 
its  nights  in  search  of  prey. 

This  species  can  be  distinguished  by  its  12  costal  grooves,  single 
indistinct  tubercle  on  the  sole  of  the  foot,  and  the  color,  which  is 
usually  black  or  blackish,  with  pale  bluish  spots  on  the  body. 

5.     FOUR-TOED  SALAMANDER 

HEMIDACTYLIUM   SCUTATUM    (Schlegel) 

This  curious  little  salamander  appears  to  be  quite  rare.  Our 
collections  contain  but  4  specimens.  These  were  obtained  October 
7,  1906,  under  logs  in  a  dry  woodland  near  the  tamarack  swamp 
west  of  the  lake.  The  young,  44  mm.  long,  has  the  tail  compressed 
laterally  as  if  to  fit  it  for  aquatic  life;  the  larger  examples  have 
the  tail  more  nearly  cylindrical. 

This  species  brown  in  color,  the  snout  yellowish,  whitish  below 
and  with  small  inky  spots. 

6.     RED-BACKED  SALAMANDER 

PLETHODON   CINEREUS    (Green) 

The  Red-backed  Salamander  is  common  throughout  the  eastern 
part  of  the  United  States.  It  is  not  often  seen,  however,  except  by 
those  who  especially  search  for  it.  This  graceful,  slender  sala- 
mander does  not  appear  to  be  particularly  rare  about  the  lake,  al- 
though it  is  not  often  seen.  October  7,  1906,  four  were  obtained 
a  few  miles  west  of  the  lake.  On  October  16,  1906,  while  turning 
over  logs  in  Farrar's  pond,  11  examples  were  obtained  in  a  short 
while.  On  October  15,  1907,  a  search  was  made  again  for  them  in 
Farrar's  pond,  but  none  was  found.  It  was  much  wetter  this 
year  than  the  previous  year,  and  it  was  thought  that  the  wetness 
of  the  pond  may  have  driven  them  out.  On  looking  under  chunks 
on  higher  ground  bordering  the  pond,  about  a  dozen  were  secured 
in  a  little  while.  Some  were  still  quite  small;  a  few  had  a  well- 
marked  broad  red  stripe  down  the  back,  but  in  most  this  was 
wanting. 

Little  is  known  by  us  of  the  habits  of  this  salamander.  It  is 
said  to  be  nocturnal  in  habit,  and  to  lay  its  eggs  beneath  logs  and 
moist  leaves  instead  of  in  the  water.  The  eggs  are  laid  in  the 
latter  part  of  April. 

Costal  grooves  16  to  18;  palatine  teeth  not  extending  outward 
beyond  inner  nares ;  plumbeous  above,  often  with  a  broad  brown- 
ish red  dorsal  band ;  belly  marbled ;  body  very  slender ;  tail  cyl- 
indric ;  inner  toes  rudimentary ;  length  o|  inches. 


Lake  Maxhikiickee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         631 
7.     TWO-LINED  SALAMANDER 

EURYCEA  BISLINEATUS   (Green) 

Apparently  rare.  Our  notes  make  mention  of  this  species  but 
there  are  no  specimens  in  the  collection, 

8.  COMMON  NEWT 

NOTOPHTHALMUS  VIRIDESCENS   (Rafinesque) 

The  Newt  is  found  throughout  the  eastern  part  of  the  United 
States  and  is  particularly  abundant  in  the  north  and  northeastern 
part  of  its  range.  At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  only  one  example  was 
captured;  this  was  obtained  in  Farrar's  pond  June  11,  1901,  while 
collecting  crawfishes.  In  addition  to  the  example  captured  another 
very  small  one  seen  in  the  swamp  adjoining  the  lake  below 
Farrar's,  but  it  quickly  hid  among  leaves  in  the  bottom. 

This  graceful  and  bright-colored  little  batrachian  is  probably 
common  in  the  region  of  the  lake  in  woodland  ponds.  It  is  so 
elusive,  however,  that  it  is  difficult  to  capture.  It  is  a  graceful, 
rapid  swimmer,  quickly  dodging  under  leaves  when  pursued. 

This  salamander  lays  its  eggs,  single,  round,  clear  objects, 
among  the  leaves  in  the  bottom  of  brooks  and  ponds.  They  can 
frequently  be  found  in  late  spring  by  lifting  up  the  leaves,  the 
minute  yellow  larv?e  wiggling  inside  the  clear  envelope. 

Above  olive  green  or  reddish  of  varying  shades ;  lemon  yellow 
below ;  each  side  usually  with  a  row  of  several  rather  large  scarlet 
spots,  each  surrounded  by  a  black  ring;  back  with  a  pale  streak; 
belly  with  small  black  dots;  head  with  3  longitudinal  grooves; 
three  large  pores  behind  eye.     Length  3.5  inches. 

9.  COMMON  TOAD 

BUFO    AMERICANUS    Holbrook 

The  Toad,  familiar  everywhere  over  the  eastern  LInited  States, 
is  not  particularly  common  about  the  lake  during  summer  and 
autumn.  One  occasionally  sees  them  hopping  about  in  the  grass 
or  along  the  road,  usuallj^  one  at  a  time.  In  the  breeding  season, 
however,  they  congregate  in  large  numbers  in  pools  and  along  the 
lake  shore.  Only  a  few  examples  were  taken,  but  they  could  be 
captured  almost  anywhere  about  the  lake. 

The  last  seen  in  1900  was  on  October  6,  at  which  time  they 
were  observed  working  their  way  backward  into  the  ground,  as  if 
to  hibernate.  From  March  31  to  April  11,  it  was  noticed  that 
chickens  were  scratching  them  out  of  their  winter-quarters  and 


632         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

eating  them.  They  came  out  of  winter-quarters  about  April  23, 
when  they  repaired  to  the  water  at  once  and  began  singing.  By 
April  27  they  were  in  full  chorus  in  a  pool  by  the  railroad,  and 
were  busy  mating  and  spawning.  The  height  of  the  mating  sea- 
son extended  from  about  the  last  of  April  until  well  into  May,  al- 
though they  continue  mating  until  the  fourth  of  July  and  per- 
haps even  later.  They  have  been  heard  singing  as  late  as  Au- 
gust 26. 

A  great  number  were  observed  mating  in  Culver  Inlet  April 
30.  The  males  cling  very  tightly  to  the  females;  some  captured 
and  kept  all  afternoon  in  a  botany  can  filled  with  plants  did  not 
relax  their  hold.  The  singing  toads  are  usually  unmated  males. 
They  sit  at  the  water's  edge  and  call  with  a  tremulous,  hardly 
muscial,  note,  beginning  with  explosive  emphasis  and  dying  down 
at  the  end,  the  loose  skin  under  the  throat  being  blown  up  into  a 
hemispherical  bubble  while  they  call.  A  good  many  dead  toads 
were  found  in  the  pool  at  the  same  time,  indicating  that  the  mating 
season  is  one  of  especial  mortality  among  them.  The  female  toads 
were  noted  spawning  while  clasped  by  the  male.  The  eggs  are 
laid  in  gelatinous  strings,  two  strings  laid  at  a  time,  each  string 
of  clear  jelly,  about  3/16  inch  in  diameter  and  containing  2  rows 
of  eggs,  black  objects  about  the  size  of  pinheads  with  a  whitish 
point  on  each.  While  carried  in  a  closed  vessel  the  toads  uttered  a 
low,  purring,  humming  noise,  quite  pleasing  to  the  ear.  Two  were 
placed  in  a  bucket  over  night  and  a  number  of  eggs  were  found 
there  in  the  morning. 

The  toads  of  this  region  represent  two  distinct  color  phases,  one 
type  being  more  or  less  slaty  blue  and  the  other  brick  red.  This 
difference  in  color  is  not  usually  noted  when  one  sees  single  toads 
hopping  about,  but  where  numbers  are  congregated  during  the 
breeding  season  the  contrast  is  quite  noticeable.  It  appears  to 
have  nothing  to  do  with  age  or  sex,  and  toads  of  different  colors 
are  often  found  mating  together. 

The  toads  spawn  in  the  lake  as  well  as  in  the  shallow  pools. 
The  eggs  soon  hatch  into  small  black  tadpoles  which,  in  warm 
water,  rapidly  develop  into  minute  toads,  which  can  be  seen  hop- 
ping along  shore.  Young  toads  were  seen  hopping  about  on  July 
27 ;  they  are  almost  black,  much  darker  than  their  parents.  After 
mating  and  spawning,  the  toads  scatter  again,  and  in  the  autumn 
one  comes  across  them  of  various  sizes,  the  variation  in  size  being 
probably  the  result  of  the  long  breeding  season. 

The  toad  is  a  decidedly  beneficial  creature,  as  it  captures  great 
numbers  of  insects.     They  frequently  fall  a  prey  to  snakes,  and 


Lake  Maxmkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         633 

these,  with  the  exception  of  thoughtless  boys,  appear  to  be  their 
chief  enemy. 

In  addition  to  its  mating  song  the  toad  appears  to  have  a  song 
it  sings  on  land,  a  low,  pleasing,  tremulous  strain. 

The  singing  is  often  prolonged  late  into  the  summer,  and  "its 
music  in  retired  ponds  and  swamps,  as  darkness  creeps  over  the 
face  of  nature,  is  both  weird  and  somnific." 

10.     CRICKET  FROG 

ACRIS  GRYLLUS   (LeConte) 

The  Cricket  Frog  is  common  in  swamps  throughout  the  eastern 
United  States.  It  is  common  along  the  shore  of  Lake  Maxin- 
kuckee,  but  more  particularly  abundant  along  such  parts  of  the 
lake  edge  as  are  low  and  swampy.  It  is  abundant  along  the  shores 
of  the  various  inlets  of  the  lake,  and  quite  common  about  the  Outlet 
and  the  shores  of  Lost  Lake.  Numerous  examples  were  taken,  rep- 
resenting all  parts  of  the  shore,  and  the  various  inlets  of  the  lake. 

Although  the  cricket  frogs  are  related  to  the  tree-frogs,  they 
never  stray  far  from  the  water's  edge,  but  remain  along  the  shore 
ready  to  jump  into  the  water  at  the  slightest  alarm.  They  are 
very  alert  and  strong  jumpers,  and  are  therefore  difficult  to  catch. 
When  they  jump  into  the  water  they  do  not  dive  to  the  bottom,  as 
many  of  the  water  frogs  do,  but  swim  back  to  shore.  They  are  very 
variable  in  appearance;  some  have  a  bright  green  y-shaped 
mark,  but  in  others  this  is  brown  or  obscure.  The  cricket  frogs 
come  out  of  their  winter- quarters  and  remain  out  until  late  in  the 
fall ;  they  have  been  seen  on  shore  as  early  as  March  7  and  as  late 
as  November  30. 

Although  the  Cricket  Frog  comes  out  early  in  the  spring  it 
does  not  begin  to  sing  until  the  water  is  well  warmed  up,  which 
is  some  time  after  the  Pickering  Frog  and  the  Swamp  Tree-frog 
have  begun  their  singing.  They  began  singing  as  early  as  April 
28  and  continued  until  as  late  as  August  5.  After  a  short  season 
of  rest  they  sing  again  more  or  less  in  late  autumn.  One  was 
heard  singing  September  12,  and  they  were  heard  singing  again 
October  22. 

During  the  height  of  the  singing  season  the  rattle  of  these 
frogs  is  almost  continuous,  and  at  times  nearly  deafening.  The 
note  resembles  the  rattling  of  pebbles.  Toward  the  end  of  the 
singing  season,  the  music  was  rather  peculiar.  After  an  interval 
of  silence,  one  would  start  the  song,  then  all  the  others  would  begin 
spasmodically  and  sing  awhile.     During  the  summer  it  is  easy  to 


634         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

start  one  of  these  frogs  singing  by  concealing  one's  self  and  strik- 
ing two  pebbles  together,  thus  imitating  the  note  of  the  frogs.  The 
first  one  seen  singing  was  started  this  way.  It  had  been  difficult 
actually  to  see  any  of  these  frogs  singing  as  they  usually  became 
silent  when  approached.  By  the  means  described  above,  one  that 
was  in  sight  was  started,  and  the  whole  process  observed.  They 
sit  fully  out  of  the  water,  hidden  in  grass  or  rushes,  inflate  a  large 
bubble  under  the  chin,  and  work  their  flanks  considerably  while 
rattling. 

In  raking  out  leaves  and  water  weeds  near  shore  in  the  late 
autumn  these  frogs  are  frequently  brought  out,  torpid  and  stiff.  In 
such  places  they  doubtless  spend  the  winter. 

On  December  3,  several  dead  Cricket  Frogs  were  found  in  a 
cut-off  east  of  Farrar's,  and  several  were  found  hiding  and  in  a 
semitorpid  condition  under  leaves  at  the  water's  edge. 

The  Cricket  Frog  probably  subsists  on  insects,  especially  the 
small  midges  so  abundant  at  the  water's  edge.  They  are  some- 
times used  for  bait. 

The  following  brief  descj'iption  will  assist  in  identifying  the 
species : 

Toes  broadly  webbed,  tipped  with  small  disks,  tympanum  in- 
distinct ;  hind  legs  very  long ;  brownish  above ;  middle  of  back  and 
head  bright  green  or  reddish  brown ;  a  dark  triangle  between  the 
eyes ;  sides  with  three  oblique  blotches ;  a  white  line  from  eye  to 
arm.     Lengih  1|  inches. 

11.     SWAMP  TREE-FROG 

PSEUDACRIS  FERIARUM  (Baird) 

The  Swamp  Tree-frog  is  common  throughout  all  parts  of  the 
eastern  United  States  where  there  are  ponds,  swamps  or  creeks. 
Its  presence  is  usually  made  known  by  sound  rather  than  by  sight, 
as  the  frog,  though  quite  noisy,  is  both  shy  and  inconspicuous  and 
easily  overlooked. 

At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  this  frog  is  probably  common,  scattered 
about  in  the  marshy  regions  surrounding  the  lake.  It  is  not  often 
seen,  however,  and  only  a  few  examples  were  secured.  One  was 
obtained  on  Aubeenaubeo  Creek  July  8,  1899,  three  about  the  shore 
of  Lake  Maxinkuckee  July  28,  1900,  one  in  Norris  Inlet  August  8, 
1900,  and  one  in  Farrar's  pond  at  the  edge  of  the  lake  below 
Farrar's  October  8,  1907. 

A  few  days  after  the  first  high-pitched  "peep,  peep"  of  Picker- 
ing's Tree-frog  has  sounded  from  the  marshes,  the  announcement 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         635 

of  the  arrival  of  spring,  the  Swamp  Tree-frog  begins  its  chorus, 
and  although  it  is  not  the  first  frog  to  be  heard,  it  is  its  chorus 
coming  from  the  woodland  ponds  and  from  the  creeks  and  marshes, 
that  announces  to  the  world  in  general  that  "the  frost  is  out  of  the 
ground."  These  frogs  all  seem  to  wake  up  at  about  the  same 
time,  so  that  the  very  first  song  is  a  pretty  full  chorus.  They 
begin  singing  first  in  the  pools  and  ponds  surrounding  the  lake, 
and  only  later  stray  down  to  the  lake  shore.  In  1901  they  were 
first  heard  about  March  23 ;  at  the  beginning  of  their  song  season 
they  sang  only  during  the  warmer  parts  of  bright  days.  Inter- 
mixed with  the  chorus  came  at  intervals  the  high  piping  of  H. 
crucifer. 

From  March  23  to  about  the  middle  of  April  they  sang  chiefly 
during  the  warmer  part  of  the  day,  the  chill  of  the  night  quickly 
silencing  them.  About  April  24  till  May  9,  they  sang  chiefly  dur- 
ing the  evenings  and  mornings;  later  on  they  sang  in  diminishing 
numbers  and  chiefly  on  moist  muggy  nights.  They  were  heard 
singing  as  late  as  June  22.  The  song  is  a  rattle  with  a  rising  in- 
flection at  the  end,  or  like  the  scraping  of  a  coarse-toothed  comb. 

It  was  quite  diflficult  at  first  to  catch  this  frog  in  the  act  of 
singing,  as  they  become  immediately  silent  on  one's  near  approach. 
On  April  5  some  were  seen  singing  near  Hawk's  pond.  The  frogs 
stuck  their  heads  above  the  water,  expanded  the  skin  under  their 
throat  until  it  looked  like  a  large  yellow  bubble ;  this  vibrated  some- 
what, but  did  not  collapse  while  the  frogs  were  singing.  All  the 
frog  out  of  the  water  was  pretty  well  hidden  behind  the  bubble,  so 
that  the  animal  itself  easily  escaped  detection.  Later  on  they  were 
occasionally  seen  singing  in  a  row  at  the  edge  of  the  pools.  A  pair 
were  seen  mating  April  9  over  by  Hawk's  pond.  In  a  pond  where 
many  were  heard  singing  a  number  of  small  bunches  of  eggs  were 
found  which  probably  belonged  to  this  species.  They  were  placed 
in  an  artificial  pool  and  kept  under  observation,  but  did  not  hatch. 

The  small  tadpoles  soon  develop,  and  about  June  minute  frogs 
of  this  species  can  be  seen  hopping  about,  leaving  the  water. 

The  Swamp  Tree-frog  has  a  second  season  of  song  in  autumn. 
This  is  usually  sung  by  individuals  rather  than  in  chorus,  and  the 
singers  are  frequently  found  some  distance  from  the  water,  any- 
where in  damp  situations.  They  are  quite  frequently  heard  in  low 
copses  or  in  cornfields  on  damp  days  in  autumn,  and  one  was  known 
to  have  its  abode  in  a  damp  cellar  a  good  distance  from  any  pond. 
One  example  found  in  autumn  in  a  cornfield  was  quite  plump,  and 
was  found  to  be  full  of  well  developed  eggs.  As  these  frogs  are 
dormant  during  the  winter  it  is  probable  that  the  ova  reach  their 


636         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

full  development  in  autumn,  and  that  the  brooding  instinct  devel- 
oped by  this  time,  is  held  in  abeyance  until  spring,  when  the  frog 
wakes  and  recommences  the  song  begun  the  autumn  before. 

During  the  autumn  of  1900  this  frog  was  heard  singing  at  the 
edge  of  the  lake  from  October  28  to  November  20. 

These  frogs  can  usually  be  seen  better  during  the  autumn  than 
any  other  time.  They  are  then  to  be  found  on  the  ground  in  damp 
situations  and  are  somewhat  sluggish  and  inactive.  They  are 
quite  handsome  and  elegant  in  appearance. 

These  little  frogs  often  fall  a  prey  to  the  large-mouth  black 
bass  and  pickerel  and  are  sometimes  used  for  bait  by  anglers. 

Fingers  and  toes  ending  in  small  disks;  fingers  not  webbed, 
toes  scarcely  so.  Tympanum  distinct.  Bluish  ash,  a  dark  dorsal 
stripe  from  snout  backward,  bifurcating  above  middle  of  body;  a 
stripe  on  each  side  of  this  and  one  on  side  of  head  and  body,  the 
latter  pale-edged  below.     Length  1  inch. 

12.     COMMON  TEEE-TOAD 

HYLA  VERSICOLOR  Le  Conte 

The  Tree-toad  is  generally  common  throughout  the  United 
States  east  of  Kansas.  At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  frequently 
heard  in  the  evenings  or  in  damp  weather  preceding  a  rain.  Very 
few  examples  were  seen,  however,  and  it  does  not  appear  to  be 
abundant.  One  was  taken  August  6;  on  September  13  one  was 
found  on  the  rushes  near  Lakeview  Hotel.  It  was  dark  blue-green 
in  color  to  simulate  the  rushes  on  which  it  was  found.  Three 
examples  were  obtained  near  the  lake  July  8.  The  first  one  heard 
in  1901  was  on  April  29  and  the  species  continued  trilling  through 
the  summer.  In  1906,  two  examples  were  seen,  both  of  the  usual 
gray  color  it  assumes  when  resting  on  bark. 

One  of  the  favorite  haunts  of  the  Tree-toad  in  spring  is  in 
clumps  of  low  willows  growing  in  wet  situations.  Here  they  nestle 
in  a  crotch  and  trill  almost  continuously.  Even  when  they  can  be 
heard  everywhere  they  are  difficult  to  find,  as  the  sound  is  hard  to 
follow,  and  they  become  silent  at  one's  near  approach.  Their  re- 
semblance in  color  to  the  object  upon  which  they  rest  protects 
them,  and  by  the  time  one  gets  close  enough  to  distinguish  them 
clearly  they  give  a  prodigious  leap  to  safety,  the  bright  colors  of 
their  under  parts  showing  like  a  streak  of  yellow  through  the  air. 

Green,  gray  or  brown  with  irregular  dark  blotches;  below  yel- 
low, behind  white ;  tympanum  §  diameter  of  eye ;  fingers  }  webbed ; 
skin  with  small  warts.    Length  2  inches. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         637 
13.     PICKERING'S  TREE-TOAD 

HYLA   CRUCIFER  Wicd 

Although  its  range  extends  over  all  the  eastern  United  States, 
there  are  comparatively  few  people  who  know  Pickering's  Tree- 
toad  at  sight.  Its  presence  is  manifest  to  the  ear  rather  than  to 
the  eye.  At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  seldom  seen,  only  two  ex- 
amples having  been  obtained  by  us.  These  were  captured  in 
Aubeenaubee  Creek,  September  3.  It  appears,  however,  not  to  be 
uncommon.  Its  shrill  peep  is  the  first  sound  to  waken  the  marshes 
in  spring.  It  begins  singing  a  few  days  before  Pseudacris,  and 
after  that  species  has  begun,  the  high-pitched  "peep,  peep"  of  the 
little  Hyla  can  be  heard  above  the  rattling  chorus  of  the  swamp 
tree-toad.  Pickering's  Tree-toad  does  not  sing  in  concert,  but  dif- 
ferent individuals  appear  to  pipe  to  each  other.  It  sings  about  the 
edges  of  flat  shallow  marshes,  such  as  those  by  the  Inlet,  and  by 
the  tamarack  swamps.  It  continued  to  sing  from  early  April 
until  about  May  9. 

In  autumn  a  sound  much  resembling  the  springtime  note  is 
frequently  heard  from  forest  trees  or  low  shrubs  on  damp  days. 
All  attempts  to  find  the  author  of  the  note  were  unavailing,  but  it 
is  supposed  that  it  is  made  by  this  toad.  It  is  one  of  the  charac- 
teristic sounds  of  autumn. 

The  following  description  will  assist  in  recognizing  the  Picker- 
ing Tree-toad:  Yellowish  or  fawn-color,  with  dusky  rhomboidal 
spots  and  lines,  the  latter  usually  arranged  in  the  form  of  an  ob- 
lique cross;  head  with  lines;  limbs  barred;  tympanum  very  ob- 
scure.   Length  one  inch. 

14.     LEOPARD  FROG 

RANA   PIPIENS    Schrebcr 

The  Leopard  Frog  is  the  most  widely  distributed  of  the  frogs 
found  about  the  lake,  its  range  extending  over  North  America 
westward  to  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  southward  into  Mexico. 

At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  to  be  found  almost  anywhere  along 
the  shore  and  in  low  grassy  meadows  and  in  the  shallow  ponds  of 
the  region.  Examples  were  taken  in  Lost  Lake,  in  Culver  Inlet, 
in  various  places  about  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  in  the  shallow  pond 
by  Hawk's  marsh,  and  in  the  woods  northeast  of  the  lake. 

The  Leopard  Frog  is  the  least  aquatic  of  the  frogs.  It  does  not 
spend  much  of  its  time  in  the  water,  but  prefers  to  dwell  in  mead- 
ows and  moist  grassy  places,  and  can  even  be  found  in  quite  dry 


638         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

situations;  for  this  reason  it  is  often  called  the  Meadow  Frog  or 
Grass  Frog.  After  the  tadpoles  have  transformed  they  quit  the 
water  and  scatter  everywhere  through  pastures  and  meadows,  in 
this  respect  rather  resembling  toads  than  frogs.  One  of  their 
favorite  haunts  in  late  summer  is  some  meadow,  where  they  sit 
at  the  edge  of  a  burrow  snapping  up  insects  that  come  along,  and 
quietly  backing  into  the  hole  at  the  approach  of  danger.  One  such, 
that  had  become  too  plump  with  food  to  squeeze  into  the  burrow, 
was  caught  and  kept  a  captive.  When  undisturbed,  it  frequently 
uttered  low  tremulous  notes,  quite  pleasing  to  the  ear,  Another 
favorite  habitat  is  the  prairie-like  flats  at  the  edge  of  ponds.  It 
is  only  occasionally  that  they  are  found  at  the  water's  edge,  ready 
to  jump  in  at  the  sign  of  danger. 


Spring  Frog  or  Leopard  Frog    (Rana  pipiens) 


There  are  occasions,  however,  when  this  frog  seeks  the  water. 
They  retire  to  the  bottom  of  ponds  or  to  the  edge  of  the  lake  to 
hibernate,  and  frequently  on  lifting  a  stick  or  board  from  the  bot- 
tom near  shore  in  late  autumn,  one  or  more  of  these  frogs  can  be 
found  under  it,  straight  and  stiff,  unable  to  move.  In  the  spring 
a  good  many  are  often  found  dead  under  the  ice  of  the  thawing 
ponds,  and  it  appears  that  the  wintering-over  process  results  in 
considerable  mortality  among  them. 

Early  in  the  spring  as  soon  as  the  ice  has  left,  they  begin  to 
be  commonly  seen  about.  One  of  the  earliest  records  is  March 
18.  As  soon  as  the  sun  has  slightly  warmed  up  the  pools  in  the 
neighborhood  of  the  lake  they  appear  in  numbers.  A  dismal 
croaking  can  be  heard  in  marshy  places,  but  no  singer  can  be  seen, 
and  although  all  heads  in  sight  seem  to  go  down  under  water,  the 
croaking  continues.  For  a  long  time  this  croaking  was  a  mystery, 
and  was  attributed  to  some  other  creature,  but  on  a  trip  along  a 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         639 

ditch  west  of  the  lake  in  the  spring  (April  9),  two  of  these  frogs 
were  observed  engaged  in  a  Hvely  tussle,  like  a  boxing-match.  They 
then  sank  to  the  bottom  of  the  ditch  and  began  croaking.  Con- 
spicuous gular  pouches  projected  from  each  side  of  the  head,  giving 
it  a  lance-like  appearance,  much  more  like  that  of  a  serpent  than 
a  frog.  As  the  frogs  croaked  the  pouches  worked  in  and  out  like 
parts  of  a  bellows.  Although  the  frogs  were  entirely  under  water 
no  bubbles  escaped. 

In  the  spring  when  these  frogs  first  come  out  of  winter  quar- 
ters, they  are  semitorpid  and  easily  captured,  but  with  the  advent 
of  warm  weather  they  become  active  and  are  difncult  to  capture 
without  a  landing  net. 

In  some  places  these  frogs  are  esteeuied  as  an  article  of  diet. 
In  Chicago  they  are  hunted  almost  to  extermination.  The  frog 
hunters  go  with  sacks  to  the  ponds  where  they  breed,  and  catch 
them  in  great  numbers.  When  placed  in  the  sack  they  croak  con- 
stantly, the  sound  being  much  like  that  which  they  make  during 
the  mating  season.  The  saddles  are  seen  in  great  numbers  on  the 
fish  markets  where  they  retail  at  15  cents  per  dozen. 

The  Leopard  Frog  mates  and  spawns  throughout  April  and 
probably  into  the  month  of  May.  One  of  the  favorite  spawming 
places  was  a  shallow  temporary  pool  near  Hawk's  marsh.  Here 
on  April  8  (1901)  a  great  many  were  seen  mating.  The  male 
which  usually  appears  to  be  the  smaller,  clasps  the  female  closely 
around  the  waist  and  simply  hangs  on  and  squeezes.  He  prob- 
ably assists  by  this  pressure  in  forcing  out  the  spawn  which  he  is 
at  hand  to  fertilize.  The  eggs  on  being  extruded  rapidly  absorb 
water  in  the  gelatinous  envelop  and  swell  up  to  irregular  masses 
as  large  as,  or  larger  than,  the  parent  frog.  The  eggs,  which  are 
black  and  resemble  small  shot,  rapidly  hatch  out  into  rather  dark 
tadpoles  which  are  not  so  black  nor  so  small  as  those  of  the  toad. 
The  tadpoles  leave  the  water  in  the  early  summer  of  the  same  year, 
and  can  be  seen  about  the  beginning  of  July,  crawling  up  into  the 
grass,  the  shrivelled  tail  in  some  cases  still  persisting. 

The  Leopard  Frog  has  quite  a  number  of  enemies.  In  the 
water  they  are  eagerly  seized  by  fish,  and  are  frequently  used  for 
bait.  The  larva  of  the  water  bettle,  Dytiscus,  attacks  the  tad- 
poles and  devours  them.  Snakes  catch  a  good  many.  At  the  edge 
of  Bass  Lake  (Aug.  14,  1906),  a  pitiful  crying,  much  like  that  made 
by  a  young  chicken  when  caught,  was  heard  in  the  grass,  and  it 
was  found  that  a  gai'ter  snake  had  one  of  these  frogs  half-way 
into  its  mouth,  while  the  frog  was  vainly  trying  to  escape. 

41—17618 


640         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

The  Leopard  Frog  is  an  entirely  harmless  creature,  and  is  of 
great  service  in  helping  keep  down  hordes  of  insects. 

This  frog  can  be  easily  distinguished  from  any  other  of  the 
frogs  about  the  lake  except  the  Pickerel  Frog,  which  it  resembles 
considerably,  but  from  which  it  can  be  told  by  the  absence  of  yel- 
low on  the  under  part  of  the  hind  legs,  the  absence  of  any  marked 
color,  the  blotches  being  rather  rounded  than  square,  and  black 
in  color  instead  of  dark  brown.  The  following  description  will 
assist  in  identifying  it : 

Brownish  or  green,  with  irregular  black  blotches  edged  with 
whitish,  these  mostly  in  two  irregular  rows  on  back,  usually  2 
spots  between  eyes;  legs  barred  above,  belly  pale,  glandular  folds 
large;  head  rather  elongate.     Length  2.75  inches. 

There  are  two  distinct  shades  of  ground  color  among  these 
frogs ;  some  are  rather  dark  brown,  while  others  are  bright  green. 

15.     PICKEREL  FROG 

RANA  PALUSTRIS  Le  Contc 

The  Pickerel  or  Swamp  Frog  has  a  rather  narrow  distribution 
compared  with  its  near  relative,  the  Leopard  Frog,  it  being  con- 
fined to  the  eastern  part  of  the  United  States.  It  is  not  common 
about  Lake  Maxinkuckee ;  only  15  examples  were  collected.  These 
were  found  in  various  situations,  four  of  them  being  obtained  at 
Lost  Lake,  one  by  Farrar's,  three  or  four  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee  and 
four  or  five  in  Aubeenaubee  Creek.  One  was  found  along  the 
railroad  between  the  lakes.  Dr.  Hay,  in  his  report  on  the  reptiles 
and  batrachians  of  Indiana,  reports  two  specimens  in  the  State 
Normal  School  collection  from  Lake  Maxinkuckee. 

Very  little  was  learned  about  its  habits.  It  probably  has  nearly 
the  same  habits  as  the  Leopard  Frog.  Its  rank  odor  probably 
protects  it  from  some  enemies  that  prey  on  the  Leopard  Frog,  and 
would  prevent  it  being  used  for  food,  even  if  it  were  common 
enough  to  be  caught  for  that  purpose. 

During  the  spring  of  1901,  a  woodsman  living  near  the  lake 
gave  information  that  he  often  heard  proceeding  from  the  forest 
ponds  a  tremendous  quacking  like  that  of  many  ducks.  A  visit 
was  made  to  ponds  east  of  the  lake  with  the  result  that  the  same 
sound  was  heard,  but  the  perpetrators  of  the  noise  were  too  shy 
to  allow  themselves  to  bo  seen.  It  was  thought  that  the  noise  was 
made  by  the  Pickerel  Fi'og,  which  may  sing  under  the  water  like 
the  leopard  frog,  and  thus  escape  detection. 

The  Pickerel  Frog  may  usually  be  readily  distinguished  from 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         641 

the  Leopard  Frog,  which  it  much  resembles,  by  the  decidedly  yel- 
lowish cast  of  the  under  part  of  the  hind  legs,  and  by  its  strong 
minky  odor. 

The  following  brief  description  may  assist  further  in  its  identi- 
fication : 

Light  brown,  with  two  rows  of  large  oblong  rectangular  blotches 
of  dark  brown  on  back;  one  or  two  on  sides;  a  brown  spot  above 
eye;  a  dark  line  from  nostril  to  eye;  upper  jaw  white,  spotted  with 
black ;  head  short,  obtuse ;  toes  well  webbed ;  glandular  folds  low. 

16.     WOOD  FROG 

KANA  SYLVATICA   LeConte 

The  Wood  Frog  is  somewhat  common  in  damp  woods  through 
the  eastern  part  of  the  Lnited  States.  At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is 
not  particularly  common,  only  about  20  examples  having  been  seen. 
Of  these,  four  were  taken  on  the  shore  of  Lost  Lake,  and  three 
on  the  shore  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  the  others  were  obtained  in 
the  various  inlets  of  the  lake,  a  few  in  Culver  Inlet,  a  few  in  Norris 
Lilet,  but  the  greater  number  in  or  along  Aubeenaubee  Creek. 

The  earliest  date  on  vv^hich  it  was  seen  was  May  24,  the  latest 
August  23.  In  general  it  prefers  the  neighborhood  of  creeks  in 
low  damp  woods,  and  in  such  situations  it  is  the  most  common  frog 
in  some  parts  of  the  State.     It  is  too  small  to  be  used  for  food. 

This  frog,  with  its  slender,  elegant  form  and  rich  coppery 
color,  is  one  of  the  most  handsome  of  our  frogs. 

Side  of  head  with  a  dark  brown  band,  wider  behind,  from 
snout  to  shoulder,  bordered  below  by  a  yellowish  white  line ;  usually 
a  black  spot  at  base  of  arm.  General  color  pale  reddish  brown ; 
arms  and  legs  barred  above.  Head  small,  pointed ;  femur  and  tibia 
about  equal,  the  latter  considerably  more  than  half  body ;  a  rounded 
outer  metatarsal  tubercle  present.  Length  about  2  inches.  This 
species  can  be  easily  distinguished  from  any  other  about  the  lake; 
farther  north  it  has  a  relative  much  resembling  it. 

17.     GREEN  FROG 

RANA    CLAMITANS    LatreiUe 

The  Green  Frog  is  well  known  throughout  the  eastern  part  of 
the  United  States.  At  Lake  Maxinkuckee  it  is  common.  Ex- 
amples are  occasionally  seen  along  the  lake  shore.  It  is  much 
more  common,  however,  about  springs,  pools  and  creeks.  Of 
about  25  examples  obtained  four  were  caught  at  the  edge  of  Lost 
Lake,  five  in  Aubeenaubee  Creek,  three  in  Norris  Inlet  and  four 
in  Lake  Maxinkuckee. 


642         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

This  frog  is  more  aquatic  than  the  Leopard,  Marsh  or  Wood 
Frog,  and  does  not  often  stray  far  from  water.  Its  favorite  haunt 
is  the  edge  of  some  creek,  spring  or  pool,  where  it  phmges  with  a 
surprised  "chung,"  at  the  first  alarm.  It  makes  straight  for  the 
bottom  and  usually  a  bit  of  stirred  up  mud  shows  where  it  has 
landed;  or,  where  leaves  are  present  in  the  bottom,  it  works  its 
way  under  them.  It  can  remain  under  water  some  little  time  with- 
out discomfort.  As  its  tadpole  does  not  develop  during  the  first 
year,  this  frog  does  not  spawn  in  shallow  pools,  but  usually  chooses 
some  place  where  the  water  is  permanent.  The  tadpoles — rather 
large  grayish  creatures — can  be  found  in  muddy  pools  and  creeks. 


Green    Frog  or   Spring   Frog    (Rana  clamitans) 


The  Green  Frog  makes  its  appearance  early  in  the  spring  and 
can  be  seen  until  late  in  the  autumn.  A  few  dead  ones  were  seen 
during  the  winter  and  early  spring;  the  first  live  one  was  seen 
April  15,  and  they  were  seen  as  late  as  October  9.  Many  tadpoles 
were  seen  in  Hawk's  marsh  which  seems  to  be  one  of  their  favorite 
breeding  places.  The  call  of  the  Green  Frog  is  a  repeated  "thrum, 
thrum,  thrum,"  usually  heard  late  in  the  evening  or  at  night.  They 
began  thrumming  about  May  5,  and  continued  until  as  late  as  Au- 
gust 26. 

The  Green  Frog  is  excellent  as  an  article  of  food  and  grows 
larger  than  the  Leopaid  Fi-og.  It  is  occasionally  seen  on  the 
markets,  not  so  frequently,  however,  as  the  Leopard  Frog,  because 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Sii7'vey         643 

it  is  much  move  difficult  to  capture.  In  the  autumn  of  1906  large 
numbers  of  these  frogs  were  seen  to  jump  into  pools  in  Overmyer's 
and  Culver's  woods,  but  though  these  pools  were  thoroughly  dredged 
with  a  dip-net  none  of  the  frogs  came  to  bag.  This  frog  exhibits 
a  marked  variation  in  the  color  of  the  underside, — some  of  them 
being  plain  white,  others  a  rich  yellow  color ;  this  difference  seems 
to  be  merely  an  individual  variation.  They  also  vary  greatly  in 
the  size  of  the  tympanum.  It  is  sometimes  very  difficult  to  dis- 
tinguish this  species  from  the  young  of  the  Bullfrog,  as  they  greatly 
resemble  each  other  in  general  appearance.  The  Green  Frog  has 
the  glandular  folds  on  the  back  more  or  less  distinct  and  the  web 
of  the  foot  not  reaching  the  tip  of  the  fourth  toe,  and  can  be  al- 
ways distinguished  by  these  characteristics.  The  following  brief 
description  gives  the  details  more  fully : 

Green  or  brownish,  brighter  in  front;  generally  with  irregular 
small  black  spots;  arms  and  legs  blotched,  yellowish  or  white 
below;  tympanum  large;  glandular  folds  large;  toes  well  webbed; 
first  finger  not  extending  beyond  second ;  tibia  and  femur  equal 
1^  body.     Length  3  inches, 

18.     BULLFROG 

RANA    CATESBEIANA    Shaw 

The  Bullfrog  was  formerly  rather  common  in  sluggish  streams 
and  ponds  throughout  the  United  States  east  of  Kansas.  At  Lake 
Maxinkuckee  it  is  said  to  have  been  formerly  abundant,  but  it  has 
been  hunted  until  it  is  now  rare.  The  method  of  hunting  them 
was  by  means  of  a  bicycle  lamp  at  night  which  so  blinded  them 
that  they  could  easily  be  picked  up. 

This  is  the  rarest  frog  about  the  lake,  only  six  examples  hav- 
ing been  seen,  and  of  these  only  three  were  captured.  One  was  ob- 
tained near  the  Fish  Commission  station  while  seining  for  min- 
nows at  night.  A  lantern  was  in  use  which  probably  blinded  the 
frog.  A  large  one  was  seen  November  20  down  by  Norris  Inlet, 
at  the  edge  of  the  water.  It  was  somewhat  torpid,  but  managed 
to  escape.  On  January  7,  1901,  one  of  the  ice-fishers  saw  a  large 
Bullfrog  on  the  bottom  in  several  feet  of  water  off  the  Gravelpit. 
He  cut  a  hole  in  the  ice,  let  down  a  hook  and  pulled  out  the  frog. 
It  was  too  torpid  to  move.  One  was  obtained  April  15,  1901  (No. 
35445,  U.  S.  Nat.  Mus.).  On  May  1,  a  large  one  was  seen  in  the 
pond  back  of  the  Winfield  cottage,  and  on  September  30,  1907,  one 
was  seen  basking  on  the  shore  of  the  Outlet  about  two  miles  below 
Lost  Lake. 

42—17618 


644         Lake  Maxinkuchee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 

The  deep,  sonorous,  bull-like  bellow  of  this  frog  can  be  heard 
about  some  portion  of  the  lake  shore  throughout  the  summer.  They 
usually  are  heard  toward  the  southeast  shore  of  Lost  Lake 
where  the  miry  shore  and  fringe  of  rushes  give  them  good  pro- 
tection. During  the  summer  of  1906  one  kept  bawling  almost 
every  day  from  the  neighborhood  of  the  ice-houses.  They  keep 
up  their  bawling  from  May  1  to  as  late  as  August  26. 

Like  the  Green  Frog,  the  Bullfrog  rarely  strays  far  from  the 
water,  but  stays  by  the  shore,  ready  to  jump  in  at  the  slightest 
alarm.  There  are  few  animals  hunted  more  persistently  than 
these.     They  are  captui'ed  by  several  methods — by  shooting,  by 


Bullfrog    (Rana  catesbeiana) 


use  of  acetyline  light,  and  by  the  use  of  red  flannel  on  fishhooks  at 
which  they  readily  jump,  so  that  in  spite  of  the  almost  inaccessible 
bits  of  shore  they  frequent,  they  are  unable  to  hold  their  own. 

The  Bullfrog  is  said  to  be  very  voracious,  and  is  reported  to 
capture  and  swallow  young  ducklings.  On  account  of  its  rarity 
at  the  lake,  little  was  learned  of  its  habits. 

The  Bullfrog  can  usually  be  identified  by  its  size  and  voice. 
The  following  short  description  will  assist  in  identifying  speci- 
mens : 

Greenish,  of  varying  shades,  with  small  faint  dark  spots  above; 
head  usually  bright  pale  green ;  legs  blotched ;  tympanum  large ;  toes 
broadly  webbed;  femur  equal  to  tibia,  not  half  body.  Length  5 
to  8  inches. 


Index  to  Volume  I 


Abbott,  Dr.  C.  C,  427. 
Accipiter  cooperi,  540. 

velox,  540. 
Acknowledgments,  18. 
Acris  gryllus,  633. 
Actitis  macularia,  533. 
acuta,  Dafila,  499. 
Abramis  crysoleucas,  347. 
Adder,  Spreading,  588. 
aedon.  Troglodytes,  572. 
.^gialitis  meloda,  535. 
aepyptera,  Lampetra,  306. 
sestiva,  Dendroica,  568. 
affinis,  Marila,  502. 
Agelaius  phoeniceus,  553. 
Air,  The,  60-62. 
Aix  sponsa,  499. 
albeola,  Charitonetta,  507. 
albicollis,  Zonotrichia,  560. 
alcyon,  Ceryle,  544. 
Alder  Flycatcher,  551. 
Allen,  Dr.  J.  A.,  453. 
alnorum,  Empidonax  trailli,  551. 
alpestris,  Otocoris,  552. 
Ambloplites  rupestris,  296,  387. 
Ambystoma  jeffersonianum,  629. 

maculatum,  620. 

tigrinum,  629. 
Ameiurus  melas,  330. 

natalis,  294,  324. 

nebulosus,  294,  325. 
American  Golden-eye,  506. 
americana,  Certhia  familiaris,  575. 

Clangula  clangula,  506. 

Fulica,  518. 

Mareca,  498. 

Marila,  500. 

Spiza,  564. 
americanus,  Bufo,  631. 

Coccyzus,  544. 

Mergus,  496. 

Tympanuchus,  537. 
Amia  calva,  293,  317. 
Ammodramus    savannarum    australis, 

558. 
Amphibians,  580,  620. 


Amyda  spinifera,  592. 

anseus,  Quiscalus  quiscala,  555. 

Anas  platyrhynchos,  497. 

rubripes,  498. 
Angleworms  as  bait,  270. 
Angling,  264. 
Angling  resort,  Lake  Maxinkuckee  -as 

an,  271. 
Anguilla  rostrata,  364. 
annularis,  Pomoxis,  379. 
anomalum,  Campostoma,  339. 
Anthus  rubescens,  571. 
Antrostomus  vociferus,  549. 
Ardea  herodias,  514. 
argentatus,  Larus,  492. 
Argulus  americanus,  293. 
Artificial  lures,  271. 
Asio  flammeus,  542. 

wilsonianus,  542. 
asio,  Otus,  542. 
aspro,  Hadropterus,  431. 
Astragalinus  tristis,  557. 
ater,  Molothrus,  553. 
atricapillus,  Penthestes,  576. 
atromaculatus,  Semotilus,  345. 
atronasus,  Rhinichthys,  361. 
Aubeenaubee  Creek,  27. 

Darter,  444. 
aubeenaubei,  Etheostoma  iowae,  444. 
aura  septentrionalis,  Cathartes,  539. 
auratus,  Colaptes,  548. 
aureolum,  Moxostoma,  338. 
auritus,  Colymbus,  486. 
aurocapillus,  Seiurus,  570. 
australis,  Ammodramus  savannarum, 

558. 
avia.  Mephitis  mesomelas,  459. 
Azygia  tereticolle,  293,  295. 

Bachelor,  380. 

Badger,  459. 

Bseolophus  bicolor,  576. 

bairdii,  Peromyscus  maniculatus,  460. 

Bait-casting,  267. 

Baits  and  lures,  268. 

Bald  Eagle,  541. 


(645) 


646         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


Baldpate,  498. 
Baltimore  Oriole,  554. 
Bank  Swallow,  565. 
Barred  Owl,  542. 
Bass,  Calico,  382. 

Cow,  414. 

Green,  414. 

Large-mouthed  Black,  414. 

Mud,  393. 

Oswego,  414. 

Rock,  387. 

Small-mouthed  Black,  409. 

Straw,  414. 
Bass  Lake,  409. 
Bat,  Little  Brown,  455. 
Bay-breasted  Warbler,  570. 
Beaver,  479. 
Beck,  .J.  M.,  478. 
Bennett  and  Ely,  24. 
bicolor,  Baeolophus,  576. 

Iridoprocne,  565. 
Big  Bluebill,  501. 
Biology,  236. 
Birds,  The,  480. 
bislineatus,  Eurycea,  631. 
Bittern,  513. 
Bittern,  Least,  513. 
Black  Bass,  Large-mouthed,  414. 

Small-mouthed,  409. 
Black  Bullhead,  330. 

Duck,  498. 

Mallard,  498. 

Sucker,  335. 

Tern,  494. 
Blackbird,  Crow,  555. 

Redwinged,  553. 

Rusty,  555. 
Black  and  White  Warbler,  568. 
Blackburnian  Warbler,  570. 
Black-nosed  Dace,  361. 
Black-poll  Warbler,  570. 
Black-striped  Minnow,  348. 
Black-sided  Darter,  431. 
Black-throated  Blue  Warbler,  569. 
Black-throated  Green  Warbler,  570. 
blandingii,  Emys,  617. 
Blanding's  Turtle,  617. 
Blatchley,  W.  S.,  536. 
blennioides,  Diplesion,  440. 
blennius,  Notropis,  351. 
Bluebird,  578. 


Bluebill,  Big,  501. 

Little,  502. 
Blue  Bream,  397. 
Bluegill,  297,  396. 
Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher,  577. 
Blue  Heron,  Great,  514. 
Blue  Jay,  552. 

Racer,  586. 
Blue-spotted  Sunfish,  393. 
Blue  Warbler,  Black-throated,  569. 
Blue-winged  Teal,  499. 
Blunt-nosed  Minnow,  295,  342. 
Bobolink,  553. 
Bob-white,  535. 
Boleosoma  nigrum,  300,  437. 
Bombycilla  cedrorum,  566. 
Bonasa  umbellus,  536. 
Bonaparte's  Gull,  493. 
Boomer,  474. 
Boot-leg  Sucker,  335. 
borealis,  Buteo,  540. 
Botaurus  lentiginosus,  513. 
Boulders,  46. 
Bowers,  George  M.,  15. 
Bowfin,,293,  317. 
Box  Turtle,  618. 
brachyrhynchos,  Corvus,  552. 
Branta  canadensis,  510. 
Bream,  298,  347. 

Blue,  397. 

Copper-nosed,  397. 
Bridge  Perch,  380. 
Bronzed  Grackle,  555. 
Brook  Lamprey,  306. 

Stickleback,  296,  374. 
Brown  Bat,  Little,  455. 
Brown  Creeper,  575. 

Thrasher,  571. 
BroA\Tiell,  C.  H.,  19. 
Bubo  virginianus,  543. 
buccata,  Ericymba,  360. 
buccinator,  Olor,  512. 
Buffalo-fish,  294,  332. 
Buffle-head,  507. 
Bufo  americanus,  631. 
Bullbat,  549. 
Bullfrog.  643. 
Bullhead,  294. 
Bullhead,  Black,  330. 
Bunting,  Indigo,  563. 

Snow,  557. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         647 


Bureau  of  Fisheries,  13,  278. 
Burford,  Miss,  312. 
Burlington,  Ind.,  593. 
Bussel,  Charles  W.,  456. 
Butler's  Garter  Snake,  583. 
butleri,  Thamnophis,  583. 
Buteo  borealis,  540. 

lineatus,  541. 
Butorides  virescens,  515. 
Butterball,  507. 
Butter-belly,  405. 
Buzzard,  Turkey,  53i). 

cff-rulea,  Polioptila,  577. 
caerulescens,  Dendroica,  569. 
calendula,  Regulus,  577. 
Calico  Bass,  296,  382. 
Calms,  139. 
calva,  Amia,  317. 
Campbellite,  380. 
Campostoma  anomalum,  339. 
Canada  Goose,  510. 
canadensis,  Branta,  510. 

Lutra,  460. 

Sitta,  575. 
Canary,  Wild,  557. 
Cane-pole  fishing,  266. 
Canis  latrans,  456. 

occidentalis,  455. 
Canvasback,  500. 
caprodes,  Percina,  429. 
Capron,  Judge  A.  C,  19. 
Cardinal,  563. 
Cardinalis  cardinalis,  563. 
Carolina  Grebe,  488. 
Carolina,  Porzana,  517. 

Terrapene,  618. 
carolinense,  Nettion,  498. 
carolinensis.  Castor  canadensis,  479. 

Dumatella,  571. 

Pandion  haliaetus,  542. 

Sitta,  575. 

Zenaidura  macroura,  538. 
carolinus,  Centurus,  548. 

Euphagus,  555. 
Carp,  340. 

carpio,  Cyprinus,  340. 
Carpodacus  purpureus,  556. 
castanea,  Dendroica,  570. 
Castor  canadensis  carolinensis,  479. 
Catbird,  571. 


catenatus,  Sistrurus,  589. 
catesbeiana,  Rana,  643. 
Cathartes  aura  .septentrionalis,  539. 
Catostomus  commersonii,  295,  334. 
Cavern-jawed  Minnow,  360. 
Cat,  Wild,  460. 
Cayuga  Minnow,  349. 
cayuga,  Notropis,  349. 
Cedarbird,  566. 
Cedar  Waxwing,  566. 
cedrorum,  Bombycilla,  566. 
Centurus  carolinus,  548. 
Certhia  familiaris  americana,  575. 
Ceryle  alcyon,  544. 

Chadwick,  S.  S.,  16,  19,  63,  319,  .341, 
457,  458,  469,  475,  476,  496,  499, 
508,  510,  557. 
Chaenobryttus  gulosus,  297,  391. 
Chsetura  pelagica,  549. 
Charitonetta  albeola,  507. 
Chaulelasmus  streperus,  498. 
Chelydra  serpentina,  596. 
Chemical  character  of  the  water,  218. 
Chen  hyperboreus  nivalis,  510. 
Cherry  Bird,  566. 
Chewink,  562. 
Chickaree,  474,  576. 
Chicken,  Prairie,  537. 
Chimney  Swift,  549. 
Chinquapin  Perch,  380. 
Chipmunk,  471. 
Chipping  Sparrow,  560. 
Chironomus,  302. 
Chondestes  grammacus,  559. 
Chordeiles  virginianus,  549. 
Chrysemys  marginata,  610. 
Chub,  414. 
Chub,  Common,  345. 

River,  362. 

Steel-backed,  339. 
Chub  Sucker,  295,  336. 
Cicott  Lake,  409. 
cinereus,  Plethodon,  630. 
Circus  hudsonius,  539. 
Cisco,  354. 

Citcllus  tridccemlinoatus,  470. 
citrina,  Wilsonia,  571. 
clamitans,  Rana,  641. 
Clangula  clangula  americana,  506. 
Clear  Lake,  310. 
Clearness  of  the  water,  216. 


648         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


Clemmys  guttata,  615. 

Cliff  Swallow,  564. 

clypeata,  Spatula,  499. 

Coccyzus  americanus,  447. 

coeruleum,  Etheostoma,  447. 

Colaptes  auratus,  548. 

Cole,  Leon  .J.,  342. 

Colinus  virginianus,  535. 

collavis,  Marila,  505. 

Collecting  methods,  239. 

Coluber  constrictor  flaviventris,  586. 

columbarius,  Falco,  541. 

columbianus,  Olor,  512. 

Colymbus  auritus,  486. 

holloelli,  486. 
Commercial  fishing,  282. 
commersonii,  Catostomus,  334. 
Common  Chub,  345. 

Eel,  364. 

Pike,  370. 

Rat,  452. 

Sunfish,  405. 

Tern,  494. 

White-footed  Mouse,  461. 
Conditions  favorable  to  fish-life,  260. 

of  the  water,  216. 
concolor,  Ichthyomyzon,  306,  311. 
constrictor  flaviventris,  Coluber,  586. 
contortrix,  Heterodon,  588. 
Cook  Lake,  220. 
cooperi,  Accipiter,  540. 
Cooper's  Hawk,  540. 
Coot,  518. 
Copeland,  Jordan  and,  433,  440,  442, 

449. 
Copepod  parasites,  305. 
Copper-nosed  Bream,  397. 
Cormorant,  Florida,  495. 
coronata,  Dendroica,  569. 
cornutus,  Notropis,  357. 
Corvus  brachyrhynchos,  552. 
Cottontail,  479. 
Cottus  ictalops,  431. 
Coturnicops  noveboracensis,  518. 
Cow  Bass,  414. 
Cowbird,  553. 
Coyote,  456. 
Cox,  U.  0.,  478. 
Crane,  Sandhill,  516. 
Crappie,  379. 
Crawfish  as  bait,  270. 
Crawl-a-bottom,  335. 


Creek  Fish,  336. 
Creeper,  Brown,  575. 
Creighton,  Nebraska,  443,  444. 
Crested  Flycatcher,  551. 
Cricket  Frog,  633. 
crinitus,  Myiarchus,  551. 
cristata,  Cyanocitta,  552. 
Crossbill,  556. 
Crow,  552. 
Crow  Blackbird,  555. 
crucifer,  Hyla,  637. 
crysoleiicas,  Abramis,  347. 
Cuckoo,  Yellow-billed,  544. 
cucullatus,  Lophodytes,  497. 
Culicidae,  303. 
Culver  Creek,  27. 
curvirostra  minor,  Loxia,  556. 
cyanea,  Passerina,  563. 
Cyanocitta  cristata,  552, 
cyprinella,  Ictiobus,  332. 
Cyprinus  carpio,  340. 

Dace,  Black-nosed,  361. 

Dabchick,  488. 

Dabchick,  Pied-billed,  488. 

Dafila  acuta,  499. 

Damsel-flies,  304. 

Darter,  Aubeenaubee,  444. 

Black-sided,  431. 

Dusky,  433. 

Green-sided,  440. 

Iowa,  442. 

Johnny,  437. 

Least,  450. 

Maxinkuckee,  435. 

Rainbow,  447. 
Davis,  George  W.,  333. 
Dean,  Dr.  Bashford,  319. 
Deep  Hole,  42. 

temperatures,  197-210, 
Deer  Mouse,  462. 
DeKay's  Snake,  581. 
delawarensis,  Larus,  493. 
delicata,  Gallinago,  531. 
Delphi  Journal,  457. 
Dendroica  sestiva,  568. 

caeeulescens,  569. 

castanea,  570. 

coronata,  569. 

fusca,  570. 

magnolia,  569. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         649 


Dendroica  palmarum,  570. 
striata,  570. 
virens,  570. 
Depth  of  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  40-41. 

of  Lost  Lake,  55-56. 
Devil-diver,  488. 
Devil's  Lake,  310. 
Dew,  152. 

diaphanus,  Fundulus,  371. 
Dickcissel,  564. 
Didapper,  488. 
Didelphis  virginiana,  453. 
Didipper,  488. 
Diplesion  blennioides,  440. 
Dipper,  488. 
Diptera,  302. 

discors,  Querquedula,  499. 
dispar,  Fundulus,  372. 
Dogfish,  293,  317. 
Dolichonyx  oryzivorus,  553. 
Dollardee,  397. 
dolomieu,  Micropterus,  409. 
domesticus  hostilis,  Passer,  556. 
Dore,  420. 

dorsatum,  Erethizon,  468. 
Doubleday,  Page  and  Company,  5. 
Doughbelly,  339, 
Dove,  Mourning,  538. 
Downy  Woodpecker,  546. 
Dragon-flies,  304. 
Dredging,  253. 
Dryobates  pubescens  medianus,  546. 

villosus,  545. 
Duck,  Black,  498. 

Ruddy,  508. 

Ring-necked,  505. 
Duckbill  Cat,  308. 
Dumatella  carolinensis,  571. 
Dusky  Darter,  433. 

Eagle,  Bald,  541. 
Earl,  Donald,  17. 
East  winds,  140. 
Ectopistes  migratorius,  538. 
Edwards,  Andrew,  310. 
Eel,  Common,  364. 
Eisenhard,  Captain,  19. 
Elaphe  vulpina,  585. 
elegans,  Pseudemys,  609. 
Elegant  Turtle,  609. 
Elevation  above  sea-level,  22. 


Empidonax  minimus,  551. 

trailli  alnorum,  551. 
Emys  blandingii,  617. 
English  Sparrow,  556. 
Ephemerida,  303. 
Epimys  norvegicus,  452. 
Erethizon  dorsatum,  469. 
Ereunetes  pusillus,  532. 
Ericymba  buccata,  360. 
Erimyzon  sucetta,  295,  336. 
Erismatura  jamaicensis,  508. 
Erosion,  26. 

erythrocephalus,  Melanerpes,  547. 
erythrogastra,  Hirundo,  565. 
erythromelas,  Piranga,  564. 
erythrophthalmus,  Pipilo,  562. 
Esox  lucius,  370. 

vermiculatus,  295,  368. 
Etheostoma  cceruleum,  447. 

iowse,  300,  442. 

iowas  aubeenaubei,  444. 
Eucalia  inconstans,  296,  374. 
Euphagus  carolinus,  555. 
Eupomotis  gibbosus,  298. 

heros,  404. 
Eurycea  bislineatus,  631. 
Evermann,  A.  M.,  476. 
Evermann,  T.  Bronte,  16,  63. 
Evermann  and  Jenkins,  393. 
excubitorides,  Lanius  ludovicianus, 

567. 
exilis,  Ixobrychus,  513. 

Falco  columbarius,  541. 

sparverius,  541. 
familiaris  americana,  Certhia,  575. 
feriarum  Pseudacris,  634. 
Farring-ton.  George  E.,  19,  278. 
Field  Mouse,  463. 

Sparrow,  561. 
Finch,  Purple,  556. 
Fishduck,  496. 
Fish-food,  291. 
Fish  Hawk,  542. 
Fish  laws,  Observance  of,  282. 
Fish-parasites,  291. 
Fish  protection,  263. 
Fishes,  The,  238. 

List  of  Species  of,  306-451. 

planted  in  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  278. 
Fishing,  263. 
flammeus,  Asio,  542. 


650         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Stirvey 


flavescens,  Perca,  424. 

flavifrons,  Lanivireo,  568. 

flaviventris,  Coluber  constrictor,  586. 

Fleet,  Col.  A.  F.,  19. 

Fletcher  Lake,  409. 

Flicker,  548. 

Florida  Cormorant,  495. 

Gallinule,  518. 
floridanus,  Phalacrocorax  auritus,  495. 
Flowing-  wells,  28,  29. 
Fly-casting,  268. 
Flycatcher,  Alder,  551. 

Crested,  551. 

Lea.st,  551. 
Flying  Squirrel,  477. 
Fog,  150. 

Food  of  fishes,  291. 
forsteri,  Sterna,  493. 
Forster's  Tern,  49.3. 
Four-toed  Salamander,  630. 
Fox,  Red,  456. 
Fox  Snake,  585. 

Sparrow,  562. 

Squirrel,  476. 
Frog,  Green,  641. 

Leopard,  637. 

Pickerel,  640. 

Wood,  641. 
Frogs  as  bait,  270. 
Frost,  145. 

Fulica  americana,  518. 
Fundulus  diaphanus,  296,  371.- 

dispar,  296,  372.      , 

notatus,  373. 
fusca,  Dendroica,  570. 

Gadwall,  498. 

Gage,  Professor  Simon  H.,  308. 

galbula.  Icterus,  554. 

galeata,  Gallinula,  518. 

Gallinago  delicata,  531. 

Gallinula  galeata,  518. 

Gallinule,  Florida,  518. 

gallopavo  silvestris,  Meleagris,  537. 

Gar,  Long-nosed,  312. 

Short-nosed,  315. 
Garden  Snake,  580. 
Garter  Snake,  Butler's,  583. 
Gavia  immer,  491. 
Geothlypis  trichas,  570. 
georgiana,  Melospiza,  562. 


geographica,  Graptemys,  605. 
Gignilliat,  Col.  L.  R.,  19. 
Gilbert,  .Jordan  and,  432. 
Gillnets,  252. 
Gillum,  Robert  G.,  16. 
gilva,  Vireosylva,  567. 
gladius,  Psephurus,  310. 
Gnatcatcher,  Blue-gray,  577. 
Goggle-eye,  380,  387. 
Golden-eye,  506. 
Golden-eye,  American,  506. 
Golden-crowned  Kinglet,  576. 
Golden  Shiner,  347. 
Goldfinch,  557. 
Goode,  G.  Brown,  421. 
Goose,  Canada,  510. 

Greater  Snow,  510. 

Wild,  510. 
Gopher,  Striped,  470. 
Grackle,  555. 
Grackle,  Bronzed,  555. 
grammacus,  Chondestes,  559. 
gramineus,  Pocecetes,  558. 
Grasshoppers  as  bait,  269. 
Grasshopper  Sparrow,  558. 
Grass  Pike,  295,  368. 
Graptemys  geographica,  605. 
Gravel,  45. 
Gray  Squirrel,  475. 
Grayback,  371. 
Grayback  Minnow,  296,  371. 
Great  Bittern,  513. 

Blue  Heron,  514. 

Horned  Owl,  543. 
Greater  Snow  Goose,  510. 

Yellowlegs,  532. 
Grebe,  Carolina,  488. 

Holboell's,  486. 

Horned,  486. 

Pied-billed,  488. 

Thick-billed,  488. 
Green  Bass,  414. 

Frog,  641. 

Heron.  515. 

Sunfish,  393. 

Warbler,   Black-throated,  570. 
Green,  .James,  341,  537. 
Greenhead,  497. 
Green-sided  Darter,  440. 
Green-winged  Teal,  498. 
Grosbeak,  Rose-breasted,  563. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         651 


Ground  Squirrel,  471. 
Groundhog,  468. 
Grouse,  Ruffed,  536. 
Grus  mexicana,  516. 
gryllis,  Acris,  633. 
Gull,  Bonaparte's,  493. 

Herring,  491. 

Ring-billed,  493. 
gulosus,  Chagnobryttus,  391. 
guttata,  Clemmys,  615. 

pallasi,  Hylocichla,  577. 
gyrinus,  Schilbeodes,  331. 

Hadropterus  aspro,  431. 

maxinkuckiensis,  435. 

scierus,  433. 

scierus  serrula,  432. 
Hahn,  Dr.  Walter  L.,  456,  460. 
Hairy  Woodpecker,  545. 
haliaetus  carolinensis,  Pandion,  542. 
Haliaeetus  leucocephalus,  541. 
Hammerhead,  335. 
Harelda  hyemalis,  508. 
Hatton,  E.,  341. 
Hawk,  Cooper's,  540. 

Fish,  542. 

Marsh,  539. 

Pigeon,  541. 

Red-shouldered,  541. 

Red-tailed,  540. 

Sharp-shinned,  540. 

Sparrow,  541. 
Hay,  Dr.  O.  P.,  586,  617,  640. 
Helldiver,  488. 

Hemidactylium  scutatum,  630. 
Hermit  Thrush,  577. 
herodias,  Ardea,  514. 
Heron,  Great  Blue,  514. 

Green,  515. 
heros,  Eupomotis,  404. 
Herring  Gull,  491. 
Heterodon  contortrix,  588. 
heterodon,  Notropis,  350. 
hiemalis,  Nannus,  572. 
Hill,  Wm.  F.,  16. 
Hirundo  erythrogastra,  565. 
hirundo.  Sterna,  494. 
Hog-molly,  295,  335. 
Hog-nosed  Snake,  588. 
holbo?lli,  Colymbus,  486. 
Holbcell's  Grebe,  486. 


Holem  Lake,  220. 
Hollister,  N.,  462. 
Honker,  510. 
Hooded  Merganser,  497. 

Warbler,  571. 
Horned  Grebe,  486. 

Lark,  552. 

Owl,  Great,  543. 

Pout,  325. 
hostilis,  Passer  domesticus,  556. 
Hou.se  Mouse,  452. 

Snake,  588. 

Wren,  572. 
Hudsonian  Minnow,  354. 
hudsonius,  Circus,  539. 

Notropis,  354. 

Zapus,  467. 
Hybopsis  kentuckiensis,  362. 
Hydrochelidon  nigra  surinamensis, 

494. 
Hydrography,  40. 
hyemalis,  Harelda,  508. 

Junco,  561. 
Hyla  crucifer,  637. 

versicolor,  636. 
Hylocichla  guttata  pallasi,  577. 

mustelinus,  577. 

ustulata  swainsoni,  577. 
Hypentelium  nigricans,  295,  335. 

Ice,  223. 

Ice-beach,  39. 

Ice-fishing,  275. 

Ice  on  Lost  Lake,  232. 

Ice,  Thickness  of,  233. 

when  went  off  the  lake,  235. 
Ice  on  Lake  Maxinkuckee,  226. 
Ichthyomyzon  concolor,  306,  311. 
ictalops,  Cottus,  431. 
Icterus  galbula,  554. 
Ictiobus  cyprinella,  294,  332. 
iliaca,  Passerella,  562. 
Iowa  Darter,  300,  442. 
iowae,  Etheostoma,  442. 
inmier,  Gavia,  491. 
inconstans,  Flucalia,  374. 
Indian  Fish,  393. 

Hen,  513. 
Indigo  Bunting,  563. 
Insect  larvae,  302. 
Intioduction,  13. 


652         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


Iridoprocne  bicolor,  565. 
Ixobiychus  exilis,  513. 

Jack  Snipe,  531. 

jamaicensis,  Erismatura,  508. 

Jay,  Blue,  552. 

jeffersonianum,  Ambystoma,  629. 

Jenkins,  Evermann  and,  393. 

John  Demon,  380. 

Johnny  Darter,  300,  437. 

Jones,  Francis  W.,  34. 

Jordan   and   Copeland,  433,  440,  442, 

449. 
Jordan  and  Gilbert,  432. 
Juday,  Chancey,  16. 
Jumping  Mouse,  467. 
Junco  hyemalis,  561. 
Junco,  Slate-colored,  561. 

Kendall,  Dr.  W.  C,  348. 

kentuckiensis,  Hybopsis,  362. 

Kettlehole,  43. 

Kettlehole  temperatures,  211,  212. 

Killdeer,  534. 

Kingbird,  550. 

Kingfisher,  544. 

Kinglet,  Golden-crowned,  576. 

Ruby-crowned,  577. 
Kinosternon  odoratum,  599. 
Kirtland,  Dr.  Jared  Potter,  385. 
Knowlton,  Millard,  16,  514. 

Labidesthes  sicculus,  296,  376. 
Lake  Bass,  414. 

Cicott,  409. 

Maxinkuckee  as  an  angling  resort, 
271. 

Pepin,  423. 
Lake-bottom,  45. 
Lake-level,  49. 
Lampetra  aepyptera,  306. 

wilderi,  306,  308. 
Lamplighter,  380. 
Lamprey,  Western  Brook,  306. 
Lampropeltis  triangulum,  588. 
Lanius  ludovicianus  excubitorides, 

567. 
Lanivireo  flavifrons,  568. 
Large-mouthed  Black  Bass,  299,  414. 
Large,  Thomas,  16,  364. 
Lark,  Horned,  552. 


Lark  Sparrow,  559. 
Larus  argentatus,  491. 

delawarensis,  493. 

Philadelphia,  493. 
lataxina,  Lutra  caftadensis,  460. 
latrans,  Canis,  456. 
Least  Bittern,  513. 

Darter,  450. 

Flycatcher,  551. 
lecontei,  Passerherbulus,  559. 
Le  Conte's  Sparrow,  559. 
Leeches,  304. 

lentiginosus,  Botaurus,  513. 
Leopard  Frog,  637. 
Lepisosteus  osseus,  312. 

platostomus,  315. 
Lepomis  megalotis,  395. 

pallidus,  297,  396. 
leucocephalus,  Haliaeetus,  541. 
leucophrys,  Zonotrichia,  559. 
leucopus  noveboracensis,  Peromyscus, 

461. 
limi.  Umbra,  366. 
lineatus,  Buteo,  541. 
Linton,  Dr.  Edward,  291. 
Little  Bluebill,  502. 

Brown  Bat,  455. 
lobatus,  Lobipes,  530. 
Lobipes  lobatus,  530. 
Log  Perch,  429. 
Long-eared  Owl,  542. 

Sunfish,  395. 
Long-nosed  Gar,  312. 
Loon,  491. 

Lophodytes  cucullatus,  497. 
loquax,  Sciurus  hudsonius,  474. 
Lost  Lake,  55. 
lotor,  Procyon,  457. 
Loxia  curvirostra  minor,  556. 
Lucas,  Dr.  F.  A.,  427. 
lucifugus,  Myotis,  455. 
lucius,  Esox,  370. 
lucotis,  Sciurus  carolinensis,  475. 
ludoviciana,  Zamelodia,  563. 
ludovicianus  excubitorides,  Lanius, 

567. 
lunifrons,  Petrochelidon,  564. 
Lures  and  baits,  268. 
Lutra  canadensis  lataxina,  461. 
lutreocephala,  Mustela  vison,  460. 
Lynx  rufa,  460. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         653 


machrinus,  Scalopus  aquaticus,  453. 

macroura  carolinensis,  Zenaidura,  538. 

macularia,  Actitis,  533. 

maculatum  Ambystoma,  628. 

maculosus,  Necturus,  620. 

Mad  Tom,  294,  331. 

magna,  Sturnella,  554. 

magnolia,  Dendroica,  569. 

Magnolia  Warbler,  569. 

Mallard,  497. 

Mallard,  Black,  498. 

Mammals,  452. 

Mammy,  339. 

maniculatus  bairdii,  Peromyscus,  460. 

Manitou  Darter,  300. 

Lake,  310,  409. 
Map  Turtle,  605. 
marginata,  Chrysemys,  610. 
Mareca  americana,  498. 
Marila  affinis,  502. 

americana,  500. 

collaris,  505. 

marila,  501. 

valisineria,  500. 
marila,  Marila,  501. 
Marmot,  469. 
Marmota  monax,  468. 
Marl,  46. 
Marsh  Hawk,  539. 

Wren,  Prairie,  572. 
Martin,  Pui'ple,  564. 
Maryland  Yellow-throat,  570. 
Massasauga,  589. 
Maxinkuckee  Darter,  435. 
maxinkuckiensis,  Hadropterus,  435. 
May-flies,  303. 
McCracken,  S.  B.,  508. 
McDonald,  Col.  Daniel,  19,  263,  264. 
McGilliard,  M.  V.,  309. 
Meadowlark,  554. 
Meadow  Mouse,  462. 
mearnsii,  Sylvilagus  floridanus,  479. 
Medbourn,  Thomas,  315. 
medianus,  Drj^obates  pubescens,  546. 
megalotis,  Lepomis,  395. 
Melanerpes  erythrocephalus,  547. 
melanoleucus,  Totanus,  532. 
melanops,  Minytrema,  337. 
melas,  Ameiurus,  330. 
Meleagris  gallopavo  silvestris,  537. 
meloda,  ^gialitis,  535. 


melodia,  Melospiza,  561. 
Melospiza  georgiana,  562. 

melodia,  561. 
Mendota  Lake,  221. 
Mephitis  mesomelas  avia,  459. 
Merganser,  Hooded,  497. 

Red-breasted,  496. 
Mergus  americanus,  496. 

serrator,  496. 
mesomelas  avia,  Mephitis,  459. 
Merriam,  Dr.  C.  Hart,  471. 
Meteorology,  57. 
Methods  of  collecting,  239. 
mexicana,  Grus,  516. 
Meyer,  Anton,  456,  460. 
Michigan  White-footed  Mouse,  460. 
Microperca  punctulata,  456. 
Micropterus  dolomieu,  298,  409. 

salmoides,  299. 
Microtus  pennsylvanicus,  462. 
Midges,  303. 

Migration  of  fishes,  284. 
Migration  from  Maxinkuckee  to  Lost 

Lake,  287. 
Migration  from  one  depth  to  another, 

284. 
migratorius,  Ectopistes,  538. 

Planesticus,  577. 
Milk  Snake,  588. 
Miller,  Gerrit  S.,  453. 
minimus,  Empidonax,  551. 
Mink,  458. 
Minnow,  Black-striped,  348. 

Blunt-nosed,  295,  342. 

Cavern-jawed,  360. 

Cayuga,  349. 

Grayback,  371. 

Hudsonian,  354. 

Mud,  366. 

Red-nosed,  358. 

Rot-gut,  339,  357. 

Spot-tail,  354. 

Straw-colored,  351. 

Variable-toothed,  350. 
Minnows,  283. 

As  bait,  269. 
minor,  Loxia  curvirostra,  556. 

Philohela,  530. 
Minytrema  melanops,  337. 
Mniotilta  varia,  568. 
Mole,  Common,  453. 


654         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


Mole,  Shrew,  454. 

Molothrus  ater,  553. 

monax,  Marmota,  468. 

monticola,  Spizella,  560. 

Moore,  Dr.  H.  F.,  624. 

Morris,  Edward,  315. 

Mortality  among  fishes,  281. 

Mosquitos,  303. 

Mossback  Turtle,  596. 

Mourning  Dove,  538. 

Mouse,  Common  White-footed,  461. 

Deer,  461. 

Field,  461. 

House,  452. 

Jumping,  467. 

Meadow,  463. 

Michigan  White-footed,  460. 

Pine,  462. 
Moxostoma  aureolum,  338. 
Mud  Bass,  393. 

Hen,  518. 

Minnow,  366. 

Turtle,  596. 
Mudpuppy,  620. 
musculus,  Mus,  452. 
Musk  Turtle,  599. 
Muskrat,  462. 
Mus  musculus,  452. 
Mussels  as  bait,  270. 
Mustela  noveboracensis,  457. 

vison  lutreocephala,  458. 
mustelinus,  Hylocichla,  577. 
Myiarchus  crinitus,  551. 
Myiochanes  virens,  551. 
Myotis  lucifugus,  455. 
Myrtle  Warbler,  569. 

Nannus  hiemalis,  572. 

Nashville  Warbler,  568. 

natalis,  Amieurus,  324. 

Natrix  sipedon,  583. 

nebulosus,  Ameiurus,  325. 

Necturus  maculosus,  620. 

Nettion  carolinense,  498. 

Newlight,  380. 

Newt,  631. 

Nighthawk,  549. 

nigra      surinamensis,      Hydrochilidon, 

494. 
nigricans,  Hypentelium,  335. 
nigrum,  Boleosoma,  437. 


nivalis,  Chen  hyperboreus,  510. 

Plectrophenax,  557. 
Norris,  Harvey,  342. 
Norris  Inlet,  28. 
Northeast  winds,  140. 
Northern  Phalarope,  530. 
Northwest  winds,  142. 
norvegicus,  Epimys,  452. 
notatus,  Fundulus,  373. 

Pimephales,  343. 
Notophthalmus  viridescens,  631. 
Notropis  blennius,  351. 

cayuga,  349. 

cornutus,  357. 

heterodon,  350. 

hudsoniuG,  354. 

rubifrons,  358. 

umbratilis,  359. 

whipplii,  295,  355. 
noveboracensis,  Coturnicops,  518. 

Mustela,  457. 

Peromyscus  leucopus,  461. 
Noyes,  Wm.  A.,  46,  47. 
Nuthatch,  Red-breasted,  575. 

White-breasted,  575. 
Nye,  Willard,  418. 
Nyctea  nyctea,  544. 

Observance  of  fish  laws,  282. 
occidentalis,  Canis,  455. 
Odonata,  304. 

odoratum,  Kinosternon,  599. 
Old-squaw,  508. 
olivacea,  Vireosylva,  567. 
Olive-backed  Thrush,  577. 
Olor  buccinator,  512. 

columbianus,  512. 
Ondatra  zibethica,  462. 
Opossum,  Common,  453. 
Oriole,  Baltimore,  554. 
oryzivorus,  Dolichonyx,  553. 
Osprey,  542. 
osseus,  Lepisosteus,  312. 
Oswego  Bass,  414. 
Otocoris  alpestris,  552. 
Otter,  460. 
Otus  asio,  542. 
Outflow,  volume  of,  53. 
Outlet,  34;  54. 
Outlet  Creek,  56. 
Oven-bird,  570. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         655 


Overmyer's  Brook,  28. 
Owl,  Barred,  542. 

Great  Horned,  543. 

Long'-eared,  542. 

Screech,  542. 

Short-eared,  542. 

Snowy,  544. 
Oxyechus  vociferus,  534. 
Oxygen,  Lake  deficient  in,  221. 

Paddlefish,  308. 

Painted  Turtle,  Western,  610. 

pallasi,  Hylocichla  guttata,  577. 

pallidus,  Lepomis,  396. 

Palm  Warbler,  570. 

palmarum,  Dendroica,  570. 

palustris,  Rana,  640. 

Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis,  542. 

Paper-mouth,  380. 

Parasites,  Copepod,  305. 

Parasites  of  fishes,  291. 

Parsons,  President  W.  W.,  34. 

Passeng-er  Pigeon,  538. 

Passer  domesticus  hostilis,  556. 

Passerculus  sandwichensis  savanna, 

558. 
Passerella  iliaca,  562. 
Passerherbulus  lecontei,  559. 
Passerina  cyanea,  563. 
passerina,  Spizella,  560. 
Peabody  Bird,  560. 
Peet-weet,  533. 
pelag-ica,  Chastura,  549. 
pennsylvanicus,  Microtus,  462. 
Penthesthes  atricapillus,  576. 
Perca  flavescens,  300,  424. 
Perch,  Bridge,  380. 

Chinquapin,  380. 

Log,  429. 

Speckled,  380. 

Yellow,  424. 
Percina  caprodes,  429. 

caprodes  zebra,  300,  429. 
peregrina,  Vermivora,  568. 
Peromyscus  leucopus  noveboracensis, 
461. 

maniculatus  bairdii,  460. 
Petrochelidon  lunifrons,  564. 
Pewee,  551. 
Pewee,  Wood,  551. 
Phalacrocorax  auritus  floridanus,  495. 


Phalarope,  Noi'thern,  530. 
Pheasant,  536. 
Philadelphia,  Larus,  493. 
'^hilohela  minor,  530. 
phoebe,  Sayornis,  551. 
phceniceus,  Agelaius,  553. 
Physical  features,  22. 
Pickerel,  295. 
Pickerel  Frog,  640. 
Pickering's  Tree-frog,  634. 

Tree-toad,  637. 
Pied-billed  Dabchick,  488. 

Grebe,  488. 
Pigeon  Hawk,  541. 
Pigeon,  Passenger,  538. 

Wild,  538. 
Pike,  Common,  370. 

Grass,  368. 

Wall-eyed,  419. 
Pimephales  notatus,  295,  342. 
Pine  Mouse,  462. 

Snake,  585. 

Squirrel,  474. 
pinetorum  scalopsoides,  Pitymys,  462. 
Pintail,  499. 

Pipilo  erythrophthalmus,  562. 
Piping  Plover,  535. 
Pipit,  571. 

Piranga  erythromelas,  564. 
Pitymys  pinetorum  scalopsoides,  462. 
Planesticus  migratorius,  577. 
Plankton  station  No.  3,  214. 
platostomus,  Lepisosteus,  315. 
platyrhynchos.  Anas,  497. 
Plectrophenax  nivalis,  557. 
Plethodon  cinereus,  630. 
Plover,  Piping,  535. 
podiceps,  Podilymbus,  488. 
Podilymbus  podiceps,  488. 
Polecat,  459. 
Polioptila  casrulea,  577. 
Polyodon  spathula,  308. 
Pomoxis  annulai'is,  379. 

sparoides,  296,  382. 
Poa?cetes  gramineus,  558. 
Porcupine,  468. 
Porzana  Carolina,  517. 
Prairie  Chicken,  537. 

Marsh  Wren,  572. 

Rattlesnake,  589. 

Wolf,  456. 


656         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


Procyon  lotor,  457. 
Progne  subis,  564. 
proximus,  Thamnophis,  581. 
Psephurus  gladius,  310. 
Pseudacris  feriaruni,  634. 
Pseudemys  elegans,  609. 
pubescens  medianus,  Dryobates,  546. 
Pumpkin-seed,  405. 
Pumpkin-seed  Bird,  575. 
punctulata,  Microperca,  450. 
pusilla,  Spizella,  561. 
pusillus,  Ereunetes,  532. 
Purple  Finch,  556. 

Martin,  564. 
purpureus,  Carpodacus,  556. 

Quail,  535. 

Querquedula  discors,  499. 
quiscala  anteus,  Quiscalus,  555. 
Quiscalus   quiscala  aeneus,  555. 

Pvabbit,  479. 
Raccoon,  457. 
Racer,  Blue,  586. 
Rail,  Virginia,  517. 

Yellow,  518. 
Rain,  144. 

Rainbow  Darter,  447. 
Rain-crow,  544. 
Rana  catesbeiana,  643. 

clamitans,  641. 

palustris,  640. 

sylvatica,  641. 
Rat,  Common,  452. 
Rattlesnake,  Prairie,  589. 
Red-backed  Salamander,  630. 
Red-bellied  Woodpecker,  548. 
Redbird,  563. 
Red-breasted  Merganser,  496. 

Nuthatch,  575. 
Red-eared  Sunfish,  404. 
Redeye,  296,  387. 
Red-eyed  Vireo,  567. 
Red-fin,  357,  359. 
Red  Fox,  456. 

Squirrel,  474. 
Redhead,  500. 

Red-headed  Woodpecker,  547. 
Redhorse,  338. 
Red-nosed  Minnow,  358. 
Red-shouldered  Hawk,  541. 
Redstart,  571. 
Red-tailed  Hawk,  540. 


Redwinged  Blackbird,  553. 
Reed,  Hugh  Daniel,  332. 
Regxilus  calendula,  577. 

satrapa,  576. 
Reptiles,  580. 

Rhinichthys  atronasus,  361. 
Riband  Snake,  580. 
Rice,  Hon.  Martin  H.,  265. 
Ring-billed  Gull,  493. 
Ring-necked  Duck,  505. 
Riparia  riparia,  565. 
River  Chub,  362. 
Roach,  347. 
Robin,  577. 
Rock  Bass,  296,  387. 
Rose-breasted  Grosbeak,  563. 
rostrata,  Anguilla,  364. 
Rot-gut  Minnow,  339,  357. 
Rough-winged  Swallow,  565. 
rubescens,  Anthus,  571. 
rubricapilla,  Vermivora,  568. 
rubrifrons,  Notropis,  358. 
rubripes,  Anas,  498. 
Ruby-crowned  Kinglet,  577. 
Ruby-throated  Hummingbird,  550. 
Ruddy  Duck,  508. 
rufa.  Lynx,  460. 
Ruffed  Grouse,  536.      ' 
rufiventer,  Sciurus  niger,  476. 
rufum,  Toxostoma,  571. 
rupestris,  Ambloplites,  387. 
Rusty  Blackbird,  555. 
ruticilla,  Setophaga,  571. 

Sac-a-lait,  380. 
Salamander,  Common,  629. 

Four-toed,  630. 

Red-backed,  630. 

Spotted,  620. 

Tiger,  629. 

Two-lined,  631. 
Salmon,  299. 
Sand,  45. 

Sandhill  Crane,  516. 
Sandpiper,  Semipalmated,  532. 

Spotted,  533. 
sandwichensis  savanna,  Passerculus, 

558. 
Sapsucker,  Yellow-bellied,  547. 
satrapa,  Regulus,  576. 
savanna,  Passerculus  sandwichensis, 
558. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey         657 


Savannah  Sparrow,  558. 
savannarum  australis,  Ammodramus, 

558. 
Sawbill,  596. 
Sayornis  phoebe,  551. 
scalopsoides,  Pitymys  pinetorum,  462. 
Scalopus  aquaticus  machrinus,  453. 
Scarlet  Tanager,  564. 
Schenck,  Dr.  .J.,  582. 
Schilbeodes  gyrinus,  294,  331. 
scierus,  Hadropterus,  433. 
Sciuropterus  volans,  477. 
Sciurus  carolinensis,  Leucotis,  475. 

hudsonius  loquax,  474. 

niger  rufiventer,  476. 
Scope  of  investigations,  15. 
Scovell,  Dr.  Josiah  T.,  16,  63,  459. 
Screech  Owl,  542. 
scutatum,  Hemidactylium,  630. 
Seasonal  movements  of  fishes,  284. 
Seining,  239. 

Seiurus  aurocapillus,  570. 
Semipalmated  Sandpiper,  532. 
Semotilus  atromaculatus,  345. 
septentrionalis,  Cathartes  aura,  539. 
Serial  water  temperatures,  197. 
serpentina,  Chelydra,  596. 
serrator,  Merg-us,  496. 
seriipennis,  Stelgidopteryx,  565. 
serrula,  Hadropterus  scierus,  432. 
Setophaga  ruticilla,  571. 
Shad,  380. 
Shad-flies,  303. 
Shannon,  George  D.,  309. 
Sharp-shinned  Hawk,  540. 
Shiner,  354,  357. 
Shiner,  Golden,  347. 
Shore  and  Beach,  35. 
Short-eared  Owl,  542. 
Short-nosed  Gar,  315. 
Shoveller,  499. 
Shrew,  Mole,  454. 
Shrike,  White-rumped,  567. 
Sialia  sialis,  578. 
sialis,  Sialia,  578. 
sicculus,  Labidesthes,  376. 
Silver-fin,  295,  355. 
silvestris,  Meleagris  gallopavo,  537. 
sipedon,  Natrix,  583. 
sirtalis,  Thamnophis,  581. 
Sistrurus  catenatus,  589. 


Sitta  canadensis,  575. 

carolinensis,  575. 
Size,  form,  etc.,  of  lake,  23. 
Skipjack,  296,  376. 
Skunk,  460. 
Sky,  58. 

Slate-colored  Junco,  561. 
Slick,  E.  E.,  542. 

Small-mouthed  Black  Bass,  298,  409. 
Snake,  Common  Garter,  580,  581. 

DeKay's,  581. 

Fox,  585. 

Hog-nosed,  588. 

House,  588. 

Milk,  588. 

Pine,  585. 

Riband,  581. 

Water,  583. 
Snakes,  580. 
Snapper,  596. 
Snapping  Turtle,  596. 
Snipe,  Jack,  531. 

Wilson's,  531. 
Snow,  147-150. 
Snowbird,  561. 
Snow  Bunting,  557. 
Snowflake,  557. 
Snow  Goose,  Greater,  510. 
Snowy  Owl,  544. 
Soft-shelled  Turtle,  591. 
Soil,  24. 

Song  Sparrow,  561. 
Sora,  517. 
South  winds,  140. 
Southwest  winds,  141. 
Spade-fish,  308. 
sparoides,  Pomoxis,  382. 
Sparrow,  Chipping,  560. 

English,  556. 

Field,  561. 

Fox,  562. 

Grasshopper,  558. 

Lark,  559. 

Savanna,  558. 

Song,  561. 

Swamp,  562. 

Tree,  560. 

Vesper,  558. 

White-crowned,  559. 

White-throated,  560. 
Sparrow  Hawk,  541. 


658         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


sparverius,  Falco,  541. 
spathula,  Polyodon,  308. 
Spatula  clypeata,  499. 
Spawneater,  354. 
Speckled  Perch,  380. 

Turtle,  615. 
Special  localities,  19. 
Sphyrapicus  varius,  547. 
spinifera,  Amyda,  592. 
Spiza  americana,  564. 
Spizella  monticola,  560. 

passerina,  560. 

pusilla,  561. 
sponsa,  Aix,  499. 
Spoonbill  Cat,  308. 
Spot-tail  Minnow,  354. 
Spotted  Salamander,  620. 

Sandpiper,  533. 

Sucker,  335,  337. 
Spreading-  Adder,  588. 
Sprig,  499. 
Squirrel,  Flying,  477. 

Fox,  476. 

Gray,  475. 

Ground,  471. 

Pine,  474. 

Red,  474. 
Stage  of  water,  49-52. 
Stake-driver,  513. 
Steel-backed  Chub,  339. 
Steininger,  S.  D.,  459. 
Stejneger  and  Barbour,  580. 
Stelgidopteryx  serripennis,  565. 
Sterling,  Sidney  T.,  474. 
Sterna  forsteri,  493. 

hirundo,  494. 
Stickleback,  Brook,  296,  374. 
Stink-pot  Turtle,  599. 
Stizostedion  vitreum,  299,  419. 
Stonebraker's  mill,  593. 
Stone-lugger,  339. 
Stone-roller,  295,  335,  339. 
Stranahan,  J.  .J.,  624. 
Straw  Bass,  414. 
Straw-colored  Minnow,  351. 
streperus,  Chaulelasmus,  498. 
striata,  Dendroica,  570. 
striatus,  Tamias,  471. 
Striped  Gopher,  470. 
Sti-ix  varia,  542. 
Sturnella  magna,  554. 
subis,  Progne,  564. 


sucetta,  Erimyzon,  336. 
Sucker,  Black,  335. 

Boot-leg,  335. 

Chub,  295,  336. 

Spotted,  335,  337. 

White,  294,  334. 
Sugarloaf,  42. 

Sugarloaf  temperatures,  212. 
Sunfish,  298. 
Sunfish,  Blue-spotted,  393. 

Common,  405. 

Green,  393. 

Red-eared,  404. 
surinamensis,   Hydrochilidon   nigra, 

494. 
Surrounding  country,  23. 
swainsoni,  Hylocichla  ustulata,  577. 
Swallow,  Barn,  565. 

Bank,  565. 

Cliff,  564. 

Rough-winged,  565. 

Tree,  565. 

White-bellied,  565. 
Swamp  Sparrow,  562. 

Tree-frog,  634. 
Swan,  Trumpeter,  512. 

Whistling,  512. 
Swift,  Chimney,  549. 
sylvatica,  Rana,  641. 
Sylvilagus  floridanus  mearnsii,  479. 

Tamias  striatus,  471. 
Tanager,  Scarlet,  564. 
Taxidea  taxus,  459. 
taxus,  Taxidea,  459. 
Teal,  Blue-winged,  499. 

Green-winged,  498. 
Temperature  observers,  63. 
Temperatures,  Air,  62-135. 

at  the  Deep  Hole,  197. 

miscellaneous,  212. 

of  the  water,  152-160. 
Tennessee  Warbler,  568. 
Tern,  Black,  494. 

Common,  494. 

Foi-ster's,  493. 
Terrapene  Carolina,  618. 
Thamnophis  butleri,  583. 

proximus,  581. 

sirtalis,  581. 
Thick-billed  Grebe,  488. 
Thistlebird,  557. 


Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


659 


Thrasher,   Brown,   571. 
Thrush,  Hermit,  577. 
Olive-backed,  577. 
Wood,  577. 

Thunder-pumper,  513. 

Tiger  Salamander,  629. 

tig-rinum,  Ambystoma,  629. 

Timber  Wolf,  455. 

Tin-mouth,  380. 

Tippecanoe  Lake,  310. 

Titmouse,  Tufted,  576. 

Toad,  Common,  631. 

Top  Minnow,  296,  372,  373. 

Topography  of  lake-bottom,  42. 

Totanus  melanoleucus,  532. 

Towhee,  562. 

Toxostoma  rufum,  571. 

Traps,  253. 

trailli  alnorum,  Empidonax,  551. 

Tree-frog,  Pickering's,  634. 

Swamp,  634. 
Tree  Sparrow,  560. 

Swallow,  565. 
Tree-toad,  Common,  636. 

Pickering's,  637. 
triangulum,  Lampropeltis,  £88. 
Tributary  streams,  27. 
trichas,  Geothlypis,  570. 
tridecemlineatus,  Citellus,  470. 
tristis,  Astragalinus,  557. 
Troglodytes  aedon,  572. 
Trolling,  267. 
Trumpeter  Swan,  512. 
Tufted  Titmouse,  576. 
Turkey  Buzzard,  539. 

Vulture,  539. 
Turkey,  Wild,  537. 
Turning  over  of  the  lake,  215. 
Turtle,  Blanding's,  617. 

Box,  618. 

Elegant,  609. 

Map,  596,  605. 

Mossback,  596. 

Mud,  596. 

Musk,  599. 

Painted,  596. 

Snapping,  596. 

Soft-shelled,  591,  596. 

Speckled,  615. 

Stink-pot,  599. 

Western  Painted,  610. 
Turtles,  591. 


Two-lined  Salamander,  631. 
Two-winged  flies,  302. 
Tympanuchus  americanus,  537. 
Tyrannus  tyrannus,  550. 

Ulrey,  A.  B.,  493. 
umbellus,  Bonasa,  536. 
Umbra  limi,  366. 
umbratilis,  Notropis,  359. 
United  States  Fish  Commission,  13. 
Commissioner  of  Fish  and  Fisheries, 
15. 

ustulata  swainsoni,  Hylocichla,  577. 
Vajen,  J.  H.,  19. 
valisineria,  Marila,  500. 
varia,  Mniotilta,  568. 
Strix,  542. 

Variable-toothed  Minnow,  350 
varius,  Sphyrapicus,  547. 
velox,  Accipiter,  540. 
vermiculatus,  Esox,  368. 
Vermivora  peregrina,  568. 

rubricapilla,  568. 
versicolor,  Hyla,  636. 
Vesper  Sparrow,  558. 
villosus,  Dryobates,  545. 
virens,  Dendroica,  570. 

Myiochanes,  551. 
Vireo,  Pted-eyed,  567. 
Warbling,  567. 
Yellow-throated,  568. 
Vireosylva  gilva,  567. 

olivacea,  567. 
virescens,  Butorides,  515. 
Virginia  Rail,  517. 
virginiana,  Didelphis,  453. 
virginianus.  Bubo,  543. 


v> 


'hordeiles,  549. 


Colinus,  535. 
viridescens,  Notophthalmus,  631 
vitreum,  Stizostedion,  419. 
vociferus,  Antrostomus,  549. 

Oxyechus,  534. 
volans,  Sciuropterus,  477 
Vole,  463. 

Volume  of  outflow,  53. 
Vonnegut,  Clement,  19. 
Vulpes  fulva,  456. 
vulpina,  Elaphe,  585. 
Vulture,  Turkey,  539. 

Wagner,  George,  310. 


660         Lake  Maxinkuckee,  Physical  and  Biological  Survey 


Walleyed  Pike,  299,  419. 
Warbler,  Bay-breasted,  570. 

Blackburnian,  570. 

Black-poll,  570. 

Black-throated  Blue,  569. 

Black-throated  Green,  570. 

Black  and  White,  568. 

Hooded,  571. 

Magnolia,  569. 

Myrtle,  569. 

Nashville,  568. 

Palm,  570. 

Tennessee,  568. 

Yellow,  568. 
Warbling  Vireo,  567. 
Warmouth,  391. 
Warmouth  Bass,  297. 
Warren,  Harry,  16. 
Waterdog,  620. 
Water  Snake,  583. 
Water  temperature  tables,  160-216. 
Water  temperatures,  152-216. 
Water  temperatures.  Serial,  197. 
Water-witch,  488. 
Weasel,  457. 
Weedpatch,  42. 
West  Winds,  141. 
Western  Painted  Turtle,  610. 
Welchman,  414. 
whipplii,  Notropis,  355. 
Whippoorwill,  549. 
Whistler,  506. 
Whistling  Swan,  512. 
White-bellied  Swallow,  565. 
White-breasted  Nuthatch,  575. 
White-crowned  Sparrow,  559. 
White-footed  Mouse,  Common,  461. 

Michigan,  460. 
White  grubs  as  bait,  269. 
White-rumped  Shrike,  567. 
White-throated  Sparrow,  560. 
Widgeon,  498. 
Wild  Canary,  557. 

Cat,  460. 

Goose,  510. 

Pigeon,  538. 

Turkey,  537. 
wilderi,  Lampetra,  306,  308. 
Wilson,  Charles  Branch,  17,  291. 
Wilson's  Snipe,  531. 
Wilson,  W.  T.,  19. 


Wilsonia  citrina,  571. 

wilsonianus,  Asio,  542. 

Winds,  136. 

Winds,  Character  of  various,  139. 

East,  140. 
Winds  for  a  year,  143. 

Northeast,  140. 

Northwest,  142. 

Relative  duration  and  frequency  of, 
142. 

South,  140. 

Southwest,  141. 

West,  141. 
Winter  Wren,  512. 
Wiretail,  508. 
Wolf.  Prairie,  456. 

Timber,  455. 
Wood  Duck,  499. 

Frog,  461.  , 

Pewee,  551. 

Thrush,  577. 
Woodchuck,  469. 
V/oodcock,  530. 
Woodpecker,  Downy,  546. 

Hairy,  545. 

Red-bellied,  548. 

Red-headed,  547. 
Wren,  House,  572. 

Prairie  Marsh,  572. 

Winter,  572. 


Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker 
Yellow-billed  Cuckoo,  544^^  ^, 


Yellow  Cat,  294,  324 
Yellowhammer,  548. 
Yellowlegs,  Greater,  532. 
Yellow  Perch,  300,  424. 


Rail,  518. 
Warbler, 


568. 


Yellowshanks,  532. 
Yellow-throat,  Maryland,  570. 
Yellow-throated  Vireo,  568. 
Young,  Leonard,  514. 

Zamelodia  ludoviciana,  563. 
Zapus  hudsonius,  467. 
zebra,  Percina  caprodes,  429. 
Zenaidura  macroura  carolinensis,  538. 
zibethica.  Ondatra,  462. 
Zonotrichia  albicollis,  560. 
leucophrys,  559. 


